Major General George G. Meade
Portrayed by John Myers
Impressionist John Myers portrays Major General George Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac who defeated General Lee at Gettysburg. MajGen. Meade was appointed to command the Army of the Potomac just three days before the Battle of Gettysburg. Meade rushed the remainder of his army to Gettysburg and skillfully deployed his forces for a defensive battle, reacting swiftly to fierce assaults on his line's left, right, and center, culminating in Lee's disastrous assault on the center, known as Pickett's Charge. Lee was forced to retreat to Virginia, ending his hope of winning the war through a successful invasion of the North. This Union victory is considered a turning point of the war.
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MajGen. Meade (John Myers) at Cold Harbor Battlefield with Generals Grant, Sheridan and staff.
Despite the victory in the field, Meade was criticized by President Lincoln and others for not aggressively pursuing the Confederates during their retreat. As a fighting general Meade continued to lead the Army of the Potomac through the war as the operational commander of the eastern theater while General Grant led at the strategic level.
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