Position at Antietam
Commander, Pennsylvania Reserve Division, First Corps, Army of the Potomac (Age 47 at the battle)
Personal
1815-1872 Pennsylvania
Nickname: Snapping turtle
Born in Cádiz, Spain, to a wealthy Philadelphia merchant family. Family returned to Philadelphia in 1817, where Meade attended elementary school. On December 31, 1840, married Margaretta Sergeant. They had seven children together: John Sergeant, George, Margaret Butler, Spencer, Sarah Wise, Henrietta, and William
Education
West Point class of 1835, ranking 19th of 56 cadets. Commissioned in the artillery. Classmates: Marsena Patrick, Herman Haupt
Mexican War
Assigned to the staffs of Generals Taylor and Patterson; fought at the Battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and Monterrey where he led a party up a hill to attack a fortified position. Brevetted to first lieutenant.
Other military career highlights
Fought in the Second Seminole War; Resigned from the army in 1836 to work as an assistant surveyor. Returned to the army in 1842 in the Corps of Topographical Engineers; worked on lighthouse construction. After Mexico, built light houses. In 1857, Meade was given command of the Lakes Survey mission of the Great Lakes
Civilian career highlights
N/A
Civil War
Appointed brigadier general on August 31, 1861. Assigned command of the 2nd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves Division. Wounded at Glendale. Resumed command in time for Second Bull Run. When John F. Reynolds was sent to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to train militia units days before the Battle of Antietam, Meade assumed temporary division command. In command of the division, Fifth Corps, December 25, In command of the Army of Potomac from June 28, 1863 to July 1, 1865.
Postwar
Commanded various military districts and several Army Boards
Death
Died in Philadelphia November 6, 1872, age 57. Buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Quotes
“”With his saber drawn, he rode among his units, exhorting the men despite the severe, though not mortal, wounding of his favorite horse, Baldy, and a deep bruise on his thigh caused by a piece of Confederate grapeshot.” Ethan Rafuse describing Meade at Antietam
“Was not only a soldier of intelligence and ability, but that he was also a conscientious, careful, thorough and painstaking man; that he would make no such mistake in [Lee’s] front as some of his predecessors had made, and if he [Lee] made any mistakes in Meade’s front he [Meade] would be certain to take advantage of it.” Lee allegedly made these remarks upon learning of Meade’s ascension to command of the Army of the Potomac
“A barrage of profanity, ‘almost makes the stones creep.’” a lieutenant describing Meade’s profanity at Fredericksburg
“I expect to be deprived of my command; but my men’s lives are too valuable to be sacrificed for popularity. I could not do it.”
Meade as quoted by Charles Wainwright in his journal on Dec 10, 1863
“Meade was one of our most dreaded foes; he was always in deadly earnest and he eschewed all trifling.” D.H. Hill
“I would give anything in the world if Meade was in command of this corps.” Upon being wounded, Hooker makes this statement which John Buford overhears and relays to McClellan. McClellan puts Meade in temporary command of the corps.
“A man who impresses you rather as a thoughtful student than as a dashing officer.” Whitelaw Reid