Meade was born in Cadiz, Spain on December 31, 1815. After graduation from West Point in 1835, Meade, like others, engaged effectively in the Mexican War, and won a brevet. Meade was considered the victor of the battle of Gettysburg, considered by many the turning point of the war.
After a severe wound in the Peninsular campaign in 1862, he went to be a worthy division Commander in the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of South Mountain, as well as Antietem and Fredericksburg. Previous to the engagement at Chancellorsville he was promoted to Corps Commander.
A few days before the Battle of Gettysburg, Meade was given command of the Army of the Potomac. Despite the impromptu nature of the battle, Meade pitched a good fight, and displayed good skills as a commander. The only questionable fall back in his command at Gettysburg, was the act of letting Lee's army to escape.
Meade was a capable commander under Grant, and after the war headed several military departments.
