New-York tribune., 1872-11-07
RICHMOND COUNTY COMPLETE.
OBITUARY.
GEN. GEORGE G. MEADE.


Gen. George G.. Meade, the distinguished
soldier and former Commander Of the Army Of the Pc
tomac. died. yesterday evening, Of pneumoniA, at bis
late residence No 36 Delaney yDlace, Phadelphia He
was descended from ed Philadelphia family OF Irish
origin one member which literally contributed TO the
patriot cause during the War for Independence. Ills
parents we're temporarily residing at Cadz, Spain,
when George was born, Dec 81, 1915. While
yet an iafant, bis parents returned 10 Pha-
delphia. and at early age he was sent to the
boys school in W1slinCcn d. c. at that time kept by
the present ChefJustce Of the United states Supreme
Court, Mr. Chase. He afterward attended military
school at Mount Airy; and ID september 1891, entered
the Military Academy at West Point. Graduated IN the
Summer OF 1855, he joined the army brevet second
lieutenant OF the 81 Artillery and at the end OF the
year became full second ieutcuaut but IN the Octo-
Der following be resigned his position, and retired nom
the service becoming a civil engineer His principal sur
vey was the NortEEastcrn boundary line IN 1872 be
was reappOinted TO tho army with the rank OF Second
Lieutenant Of Typographical Engineers, and when war
was declared against Mexico he ordered 70 the fef
and served with credit receiving in 1876 the rank Of first
Lieutenant by brevc tor caanty 40 the siege OF MoEre
rey. When peace was concluded, he employed himself
IN supervising river aud harbor Improvements, and in
constructing lighthouses on Delaware Bay and CT he
coast OF Florida. He became first lieutenant in 1871,
captain in 1856, and major In 1862.
At the outbreak OF the Rebellion Major Meade was az
Detroit Mich. engaged in the national survey Of the
lakes He was ordered 10 report 40 Washington; and,
on the 3st OF August 1881 he received tie appointment
OF GeneraI Of Volunteers with c0m8dud Of the
Second Brigade OF the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps.
He took part in McClelau's advance on Richmond, and
during the seven days ght struck by ball, which
caused severe aad painful wound. He soon recovered,
and September. ls5l took command Of division in
Reynolds's FIRST Army Corps, which he conducted
with great skill and bravery during the Maryland
campaign. At Antietam his Reserves were IN
the hottest and thickest OF tho nght. and when
Gen. Hooker was wounded, Gen. Mcclellan placed the
General in command OF the corps which had just been
deprived OF its gallant leader. During action be
ceived slight confusion, and had two horses killed
under him. He received the appointment Of Major
General OF Volunteers on the 10Th Ct November. and
took part in cha battle of Frodrrcksburc December,
1922 and displayed COURAGE and ccoines during the en-
cacement During the same month be was placed IN
command OF the Fifth Corps which, after selns engaged
throughout the battle OF Chanceorsvllle covered
the retreat OF the beaten army, and guarded the
crossing, until the whole army was safely over the river
In June lse3 when Lee was advancing up TIC shenan-
duah Valley " Invade Mary land and Peunsyv Gen
Meade was suddenly aud une xpectedy called q succeed
Gen Hooker in the command OF the Army OF tae Poo-
mac. numbering 10000 men. lie advanced through
MARYLAND on parallel lines with Lees army, which
finally marching eastward struck July y the head OF
Meades column under Gen. Reynolds, near Gettysturg
The fight for position which occurred and which resulted
u The defeat ana death Reynolds and the retremeuto OF
hiz colarau through Gettysburg 10 strong position
south Of the town. generally spoken Of as the first
DAVIS fCht Of TIE great battle which enEued at Getys
burg The whole army advanced 70 this position during
the night and the next day sck.ess corps went INTO
action and was driven back the day closing viii the
advantage on tbe side Of the Confederate The third
day opened with IN advance Of the Union right under
socum whoretook ground he had lost and rested upont
Soon sitter the Confederate artillery opened and plowed
.-rrf.sr Tho auF faN
crate column OF assault from behind the bat
ferries pressed swiftly toward the Ulon lines, and was
repulsed with great sl1ughier
This reverse decided the day, and when the Confede-
rates regained their lines the battle had been won by
the Union forces Gen. Meade, who displayed mastery
ability hrour out the engagement, reported hs loss
in these hree bloody days az 2S4 Killed, 8O9 wounded
and 6.5i5 missing.
He took 1901 prisoners and A,s7s small arms Lee
promptly reroated and escaped before tie detachments
sent by Meade IN pursuit could arrest his progress
Gen Meade was promoted 70 be a BrigsdierGeBeral
OF the regular army by commission dated July 8, 1863
About the 18th Of July he moved bis army across the
Potomac into Virginia where he had several skrmlshes
with the enemy in October and November, 1859 He
was second in command OF army Of the Potomac in
fts operations against Richmond in 1854 tined
far as possible " observed Gen. Grant, to leave Gen
Meade in independent command Of the Army OF
the Potomac Ny instructions for that army
we're all Through him, and were general in Their
nature leaving all the details and the execution TO him.
The campaigns that followed proved him 70 DC the right
man in tine night place" The army OF which he had i'm
mediate command fought great battles at the Wilder
ness spotsyvana Court house, and Cold Harbor, and
was employed many months in the siege Of Petersburg
In August, 1864, he appointed MaJor-General
OF tho regular army. He was placed IN command
Of the Third Military District, comprising Georgia.
Florida and Alabama 1867, and was subsequently ap-
pointed commander OF the Atlantic Military Division
having It's headquarters at Philadelphia. Gen. Meade
was tall eodierlike IN bearing and general appear
suce He wss held In high esteem by his feovctizens
ia PhiadelI na and popular among bis former COM
1 psniODs 10 arms