George Meade (1815–1872) was a Union general during the American Civil War, best known for his leadership at the Battle of Gettysburg. Born in Cádiz, Spain, to American parents, he later graduated from West Point in 1835 and served in the Mexican-American War before rising through the ranks.
Meade was appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac just days before Gettysburg in July 1863, where he successfully repelled Robert E. Lee’s Confederate forces. Despite his victory, he faced criticism for not aggressively pursuing Lee’s retreating army. He continued to lead the Army of the Potomac through the Overland Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg, working closely with Ulysses S. Grant.
After the war, Meade remained in military service, overseeing Reconstruction efforts in the South. He passed away in Philadelphia in 1872. His legacy as a skilled but often overshadowed general remains significant in Civil War history.
