Major General George Gordon Meade

George Gordon Meade served in the United States Army and commanded the Army of the Potomac. Born December 31, 1815, and died November 6, 1872, he entered the U.S.M.A. as a cadet on September 1, 1831, became a brevet second lieutenant in the 3d U.S. Artillery on July 1, 1835, a second lieutenant on December 31, 1835, resigned and was honorably discharged on October 26, 1836, and returned to service as a second lieutenant of Topographical Engineers on May 19, 1842. He became first lieutenant on August 4, 1851, captain on May 19, 1856, major on July 18, 1862, for fourteen years continuous service, in the organization merged into the Corps of Engineers on March 3, 1863, vacated that commission on July 3, 1863, became brigadier general in the U.S. Army on July 3, 1863, and major general on August 18, 1864. He was brevetted first lieutenant in the U.S. Army on September 23, 1846, for gallant conduct in the several conflicts at Monterey, Mexico, became brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers on August 31, 1861, major general on November 29, 1862, and vacated his commission in volunteer service on December 6, 1864. By joint resolution approved January 28, 1864, Congress tendered the gratitude of the American people and the thanks of their representatives to Major-General George G. Meade and the officers and soldiers of the Army of the Potomac for the skill and heroic valor which at Gettysburg repulsed, defeated, and drove back beyond the Rappahannock the veteran army of the rebellion.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania · United States