| Introduction | Childhood |
Pictures |
| Adult Life | Video | Bibliography |
Introduction
General George Gordon Meade was a very great leader. He was a general in the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. He was also in 5 other wars. On this page you will learn about his childhood, life, and what he did in his adulthood to become so well known.
Childhood
George Gordon Meade, son of Richard W. Meade and Margaret Coates Meade was born on December 31, 1885 in Cadiz, Spain. The family then moved to America and settled in Pennsylvania. There George was old enough to attend school and started at Mt. Airy School. He was later taken out because Richard was having financial problems. The family moved several different times and sent George to many schools. When it was time for college Richard made George apply to West Point. He was accepted and started there when he was 16 and became a cadet. Although George didn't want to do military life he pushed through and graduated nineteenth 4 years later.
Adult & War Life
When George graduated he became a lieutenant and was sent to the 3rd US Artillery and moved to Florida at the beginning of the Seminole War. When he got very sick in Florida he moved back home to take time off to recover. When it was time to go back George second thought it. He then knew he wanted to resign and did so in 1836. When his father got on him about not having a job he hit the railroad and worked as an engineer and train surviver. His job sent him to Washington where he met his wife Margaretta Sergeant. Wanting to prove his love for his country and his wife he signed back up for the military and was 2nd lieutenant in the Topographical Engineers. His work took him to Texas in 1845 and went to war with Mexico. When he was rewarded to be a captain he took it and ten years off to build lighthouses in the Delaware Bay. George is most known for the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a major. Major Meade was only notified three days prior to day one of the battle. He was told that he would be commanding the Army of Potomac with five other great leaders. Those people were Irvin McDowell, George McClellan, Ambrose Burnside, Joseph Hooker, and Ulysses S. Grant. Going into the war he knew that Robert E. Lee was coming north and he had to defend Washington. Not knowing what he was coming into he is now known for being in the largest and bloodiest war on American soil. By the third day his army was standing there ground fighting for Virgina. After the third day him and his army were still standing and alive.
Memorial & Death
George Meade did not die in any war. Many people believe as he got older his war wounds from his Battle of Glendale on his side had become violently painful and reactivated internal problems. This was true but didn't cause his death. He actually died at age 57 from pneumonia. To honor Major Meade 2 memorials were built for him. In one he is riding a horse barebacked with his sword. That represents him in the Battle of Gettysburg on the 3 day adventure he had no clue what he got into. The other one is two young men taking off the coat of George. This represents power and honor to him as a person and astonishing leader.
Pictures:
Video
Childhood
George Gordon Meade, son of Richard W. Meade and Margaret Coates Meade was born on December 31, 1885 in Cadiz, Spain. The family then moved to America and settled in Pennsylvania. There George was old enough to attend school and started at Mt. Airy School. He was later taken out because Richard was having financial problems. The family moved several different times and sent George to many schools. When it was time for college Richard made George apply to West Point. He was accepted and started there when he was 16 and became a cadet. Although George didn't want to do military life he pushed through and graduated nineteenth 4 years later.
Adult & War Life
When George graduated he became a lieutenant and was sent to the 3rd US Artillery and moved to Florida at the beginning of the Seminole War. When he got very sick in Florida he moved back home to take time off to recover. When it was time to go back George second thought it. He then knew he wanted to resign and did so in 1836. When his father got on him about not having a job he hit the railroad and worked as an engineer and train surviver. His job sent him to Washington where he met his wife Margaretta Sergeant. Wanting to prove his love for his country and his wife he signed back up for the military and was 2nd lieutenant in the Topographical Engineers. His work took him to Texas in 1845 and went to war with Mexico. When he was rewarded to be a captain he took it and ten years off to build lighthouses in the Delaware Bay. George is most known for the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a major. Major Meade was only notified three days prior to day one of the battle. He was told that he would be commanding the Army of Potomac with five other great leaders. Those people were Irvin McDowell, George McClellan, Ambrose Burnside, Joseph Hooker, and Ulysses S. Grant. Going into the war he knew that Robert E. Lee was coming north and he had to defend Washington. Not knowing what he was coming into he is now known for being in the largest and bloodiest war on American soil. By the third day his army was standing there ground fighting for Virgina. After the third day him and his army were still standing and alive.
Memorial & Death
George Meade did not die in any war. Many people believe as he got older his war wounds from his Battle of Glendale on his side had become violently painful and reactivated internal problems. This was true but didn't cause his death. He actually died at age 57 from pneumonia. To honor Major Meade 2 memorials were built for him. In one he is riding a horse barebacked with his sword. That represents him in the Battle of Gettysburg on the 3 day adventure he had no clue what he got into. The other one is two young men taking off the coat of George. This represents power and honor to him as a person and astonishing leader.
Pictures:
Video
Bibliography
Spartacus Education.George Meade.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USACWmeade.htm
Civil War Organization.General Meade.
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/george-meade.html
Hailey Schmidt
April 11 2011
April 11 2011