The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-11-14
GEN. GEORGE G. MEADE.

place, Philadelphia He was descended
from an old Philadelphia family of Irish
origin, one member of which literally
contributed to the patriot cause during
the War ofthe Independence. Hisparents
were temporarily residing at Cadz. Spain
when George was born, Dec 81, 1915
While yet an infant, his parents returned
to Pbiladel phia, and at an early age he
was sent to the boys school in Washing
ton, D. c., at that time kept by the
present Chief Justice of the United
States Supreme Court, Mr.. Chase lie
afterwad attended a military school at
Mount Airy and in September, 1881
entered the Military Academy at West
Point. Graduated in the Summer OF
1885, he joined the army as brevet second
lieutenant of the Sd Artillery, and at the
end of the year became full second
lieutenant; but in the October followin 9
he resigned his position, and retired from
the service, becoming a civil engineer.
His principal survey was on the North
Eastern boundary limo. La 1912, he was
reappointed to the army with the rank of
Secoud Lieutenant of Typographical
Engineers, and when war was declared
against Mexico he was ordered to the
field, aud served with credit, receiving in
1926 the rank Of first lieutenant by brevet
for gallantry at the siege of Monterey
When peace was concluded, he employed
himself in supervising river and harbor
improvements, and in constructing light
houses on Delaware Bay and off the coast
of Florida. He became first lieutenant
in 1851, captain 1856, and major in 1862
At the outbreak of the Rebellion Major
Meade was at Detroit, Mich, engaged in
the national surevy of the lakes. He was
ordered to report at Washington aud on
the 3lst of August, 1861, he received
the appointment of Brigadier General of
Volunteers, with command of the Scond
Brigade Of the Pennsylvania Reserve
Corps. He took part in Mcclellan s
advance on Richmond, aud during the
seven days fight was struck by ball,
which caused severe and painful wound
He soon recovered, and September, 1862,
took command of a division in Reynolds
Firt Army Corps, which he conducted
with great skill aud bravery during the
Maryland campaign. At Antietam his
Reserves were 10 the hottest aud thickest
of the fight, and when Gen. Hooker was
wounded, Gen Mcclellan placed the
General 10 command of the corps which
had just been deprived Of It's gallant
leader. During the action he received a
slight confusion, aud had two horses kill
ed under him. He received the appoint
meut of Major General of Volunteers on
the 29th of November, and took part in
the battle of Fredericksburg December,
1862, and displayed courage aud cooluess
during the engagement. During the same
month he was placed in command of the
Fifth Corps, which, after being engaged
throughout the battle of Chance cellorsville,
covered the retreat of the beaten army,
and guarded the crossings until the whole
army was safely over the river.
la June, 1868, when Lee was advanc-
ing up the Shenandoah Valley to invade
Maryland and Pennsylvania, Gen. Meade
was suddenly and unexpectedly called to
succeed Geu. Hooker in the command Of
the Army of the Potomac, numbering
100000 men. He advanced through
Maryland on parallel lines with Lees
army, which finally, marching eastward,
struck (July J the head,,of Mead's column
under Gen. Reyoulds, near Gettysburg.
The fight for position which occurred :.
and which resulted in the defeat and death
of Reynolds, and the retirement Of his
column through Gettysburg to strong
position south Of the town, is generally
spoken of as the first days fight of the
great battle which ensued at Gettysburg.
The whole army advanced to this position
during the night, and the next day
Sickles's corps went into action and was
driven back, the day closing with the
advantage on the side ofthe Conlederates.
The third day opened with an advance
of the Union right under Slocum, who
retook ground he had lost and rested
upon it. Soon after the Confederate
artillery opened aud plowed the Union
lines for two hours, when the great Con
federate column of assault emerging from
behind the batteries pressed swiftly toward
the Union lines, and was repulsed with
great slaughter
This reverse decided the day, and when
the Confederates regained their lines the
battle had been won by the Union forces.
Gen. Meade, who displayed mastery
ability throughout the engagement. re-
ported his loss in these three bloody days
at 1854 killed, l9,7O9 wounded, and
6,643 missing.
He took 1861 prisoners and 24,918
small arms Lee promptly retreated, and
ESCAPED before the detachments sent by
Meade in pursuit could arrest his pro-
gress.
Gen. Meade was promoted to be a
Brgadier General of the regular army by
a commission dated July 3, 1868 About
the 18th of July be moved his army
across the Potomac into Virginia, where
he had several skirmishes with the enemy