George Meade Jr. “Cadet U.S.M.A.”

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017

War-date Autograph Letter Signed by George Meade Jr. “Cadet U.S.M.A.” 3pp. octavo, West Point, May 5, 1861, and reads in part: “...The 1st class have been put through their final examination...the 2nd class commence their final examination next week and they are to be shipped as soon as possible... Our class will be 3rd class men now, in less than ten months and as they are going to change the course to 4 years...There is but 38 men left in my class out of 87. That is rather a falling of for one year...” Fine condition. In May 1863 General George Meade detailed his son to become one of his aide-de-camps, and he was promoted to Captain. General Meade soon became chief of the Army of the Potomac, and would be the Union commander 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 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.

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