Facts About the Union and Confederate Commander's of Gettysburg

Who were the men from both the North and South that led two armies to the fields of Gettysburg to do battle? A battle that would forever change the small town of Gettysburg and its citizens, who would carry dreadful memories with them for the rest of their lives.

Most were graduates of the United States Military Academy and some seen combat in Mexico. A few were political officers, appointed because of who they knew and had little military experience. How did they perform? Did they make sound decisions that would affect the lives of the men they commanded and affect the outcome of the battle?

Maj Gen George Gordon Meade was appointed Commander, Army of the Potomac on June 28, 1863, only a few days before the Battle of Gettysburg. Gen Meade was born in Cadiz, Spain on December 31, 1815. He attended West Point graduating 19^th out of a class of 56 in 1835. For 19 years he served as a Topographical Engineer and served in the Mexican War. Prior to the Gettysburg campaign, he was the commander of a brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves. He was promoted to lead a Division, then to the commander of the 5^th Corps. Gen Meade given the short time he was in command, did a good job during the battle. He managed his reserves well, putting them in where needed at the right times. Gen Meade would continue to command the Army of the Potomac until end of the war. He would die in Philadelphia, Pa on November 6, 1872.

Maj Gen John Fulton Reynolds commanded the 1^st Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was born in Lancaster PA on September 20, 1820. He attended West Point in 1837, graduating 26^th out of 50 in 1841. He served in the 3^rd US Artillery and received two brevet promotions in the Mexican War. On Aug 20, 1861 he was promoted to Brig Gen and given the command of a brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves. He was assigned by Maj Gen Meade to command the left wing, 1^st, 3^rd and 11^th Corps of the Army of the Potomac. While directing units of the Iron Brigade on McPherson's Ridge, July 1, 1863, he was shot and killed. Gen Reynolds would be the highest ranking officer killed in the battle.