Meade: Victor of Gettysburg

Most students of the American Civil War know the name George Gordon Meade, but few can tell you about the man. With this addition to PotomacÆs Military Profiles series, historian Richard Sauers examines the life of one of the Union ArmyÆs most notable generals. Rising from the Union officer corps to lead the previously ill-fated Army of the Potomac, Meade took command only hours before his forces stumbled upon Robert E. LeeÆs Confederates at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1863. He led his men to victory in one of the most famous battles in history, but Meade was soon embroiled in political battles with fellow generals and Washington politicians. Despite detractorsÆ efforts to question MeadeÆs judgment and smear his reputationùefforts often exacerbated by the generalÆs own volatile temper and undiplomatic behaviorùhe continued to put duty to his country and his men first. When Ulysses S. Grant was named lieutenant general in charge of all Union forces, Grant made his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac and soon overshadowed Meade. Sauers chronicles the tense relationship that developed between the two men and the effect it had on the crucial last days of the war. SauersÆs concise but authoritative biography sheds new light on one of the Civil WarÆs most significant leaders. His book, the only new biography of Meade to appear in over thirty years, should spark renewed study of this brave but overlooked general.