Civil War Union Army Officer. The son of Civil War Union Major General George Gordon Meade, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1860, but left to join the 8th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in June 1862. He served as a Private in the regiment during the Antietam Campaign, and was discharged in September 1862. In October of that year he received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry (also knows as Rush's Lancers), and participated with the cavalry in the Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. In May 1863 his father detailed him to become one of his Aide-De-Camps, and he was promoted to Captain. General Meade soon became commander of the Army of the Potomac, and would lead the army at the Battle of Gettysburg. George Jr. would play a role in the controversy that occurred on the second day of the Battle when III Corps commander Major General Daniel Sickles extended his troops battle line to the Emmitsburg Road against orders. Captain Meade was the officer detailed by his father to order Sickles to return to his original position. Sickles ignored the orders, and his out-positioned Corps was smashed by the subsequent attack of the Confederates. George Jr. would continue as his fathers aide for the rest of the war, and on August 1, 1865 received brevet promotions to Major "for faithful and meritorious services in the field" and to Lieutenant Colonel for "gallant and meritorious services during the recent operations resulting in the fall of Richmond, Virginia, and the surrender of the insurgent army under General R.E. Lee". After the war he remained in the Regular Army, serving some of his time in brief stints in the artillery and the infantry. Most of his post-War army career, however, was in the familiar role of aide to his father. After General Meade died he resigned from the army and became a successful Philadelphia stock broker.
Bio by: RPD2
