USA HISTORY

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR(1861 1865)

GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

[SOURCES]
Maj. Gen Gordon Meade was the commander of the Army of the Potomac at the battle of Gettysburg. On what day did Meade assume command?

(A) July 1, 1863

(B) July 1, 1862

(C) May 28, 1863

(D) ** June 28, 1863

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -On June 28, 1863, President Lincoln appointed Meade to replace General Joseph Hooker in command of the Army of the Potomac. Meade repulsed General Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg (July 1–3) with great tactical skill; however, he has been criticized by some for allowing Lee’s army to escape after this decisive victory.

Concept note-2: -In June 1863, General George Meade became the commander of the Army of the Potomac. He took command of the army only a few days before the Battle of Gettysburg. Meade performed well in this battle, driving the Army of Northern Virginia from Pennsylvania and back into Virginia.

Concept note-3: -United States Major General George Gordon Meade was the commander of the Fifth Corps of the Army of the Potomac on June 27, 1863. By 3:00 AM on June 28, 1863, he was ordered to command the Army of the Potomac.

Concept note-4: -During the battle of Gettysburg, although still new to the command of his army, and suffering great losses of such leaders as John Reynolds, Meade was able to both hold off Lee’s attacks and finally smash the Confederate army on the third day.

Concept note-5: -George G. Meade was a Union major general and one of the most important commanders of the American Civil War (1861–1865). He defeated Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia in the Battle of Gettysburg (1863) and led the main Union army in Virginia until the end of the war.