The Portland daily press., 1863-07-03
Friday Morning, July 3. 1863.
Major General George c. Meade.

Major General George G. Meade, the fifth
commander of the army OF the Potomac, was
born in Spain, in the year 1916, of American
parents. His father, Il very wealthy man, was
residing In Barcelona, where Capt. Richard
w. Meade, now commanding the receiving
ship North Carolina, and Gen. Geo. G. Meade
were born. The Two boys were brought to this
country; one was educated for the navy,
which he entered in 1926, and the other for
the army. George @. Meade entered the
West Point Military Academy an an appoin-
tee from the State OF Pennsylvania in Septem-
Der, 1881, and graduated on the 30th June,
1885, standing nineteenth in class, which
has produced such men as Gems. Morell, Ma
glee, Haupt, Martindale, Roberts, Postmaster
General Montgomery Blair, and others.
He was appointed to the army from the
District of Columbia, and entered the service
as brevet second lieutenant of the Sd artillery
on the lst OF July, 1885. He did not receive
his full commission until December 3lst, 1885,
when he was made full second lieutenant.
On the 18th October, 1886, he resigned his
connection with the army of the United
States and was engaged in private pursuits
until the year 1872
On the 10Th May, 1912. he was reappointed
to the United States military service as a
second lieutenant of the Typographical engi-
neers. In this capacity he Joined the troops
engaged in the Mexican war. At the battle
of Palo Alto he was particularly distinguish
ed, and so mentioned in the official reports.
During the several conflicts Of Monterey. 2lst,
22d, and 23d September, 1916, he was again
distinguished, and for his bravery was brevet-
ed first lieutenant, to date from September
%, 1876. This brevet was awarded In MAY,
1S47. During the month OF August, 1851, he
was promoted to first lieutenancy of his
corps, and on the 10th of May, 1856, he
was further promoted to captaincy. which
rank he held at the breaking out OF the re-
bellion.
When the rebellion broke out, and Presi-
dent Lincoln called for three hundred thou
sand volunteers, the Pennsylvania reserve
corps was raised and placed under the charge
Of Gen. Mccall, as division commander, and
Gems. Reynolds Meade and Ord as brigade
commanders. These brigade commanders
have nobly distinguished themselves during
the present war, having all risen to a rank
equal to that of a marshal of France. Gen.
Meade was appointed brigadier general of
volunteers, with a commission to date from
Aug 81, 1861. He was then placed in charge
Of the second brigade of that division, and
proceeded TO organize 1t at Tenallytown, near
Georgetown ID. c., and in this vicinity win
tered during 1S61-2.
He was with that corps in the battles at
Drainsvlle, on the Chickahominy and in
Maryland. Few officers have performed more
arduous duties or rendered more distinguished
and faithful service to the country since the
commencement OF the war. He was noted
for steady conduct in the battles OF Mechan-
icsyille and Galnes's Mills and was wounded
at the battle OF New Market Cross Roads by
a ball, which entered his side and passed
through his body, making a severe and pain
ful wound. Under skillul treatment he rapid
ly recovered, and it was scarcely known he had
LEFT his couch when he was IN the saddle,
ready to take part in the battle of South Noun
tain and Antietam. When Gen. Hooker was
wounded at Antietam, Gen. Mcclellan placed
Gen. Meade la command of the corps which
had Just been deprived of its leader. During
the action Gen. Meade received a slight con-
fusion from spent grape shot, and had two
horses killed under him. He distinguished
himself greatly during the battle, being in the
thickest OF the fight and encouraging his
men by his deeds OF daring valor
At the battle of Fredericksburg, he was a
division commander under Gen Franklin and
led with his division the main attack on the
enemy's right, under the late Stonewall Jack.
son, gaining the only success of the day. His
troops, by very vigorous and sudden attack
surprised the enemy. drove him and penetrat
ed to his second line. Here, being unsupport
ed, they were unable to maintain themselves
were attacked on the front and tanks auf
forced 10 tallb bacL