General George Meade Equestrian Statue

From atop his horse, US General George Gordon Meade looks across the field to Seminary Ridge.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

This equestrian statue depicts US General Meade who commanded Federal forces at the Battle of Gettysburg.

"Yesterday morning, at 3 a.m., I was aroused from my sleep by an officer from Washington entering my tent, and after waking me up, saying he had come to give me trouble. At first I thought that it was either to relieve or arrest me, and promptly replied to him, that my conscience was clear, void of offense towards any man; I was prepared for his bad news. He then handed me a communication to read; which I found was an order relieving Hooker from the command and assigning me to it."

-Major General George Meade to his wife, June 29, 1863

The equestrian statue of United States General George Gordon Meade, mounted on his favorite horse, “Old Baldy,” depicts the “quiet, resourceful commander” of the Army of the Potomac. A West Point graduate and career soldier, President Lincoln placed Meade in command of the Army of the Potomac only three days before the Battle of Gettysburg. An experienced soldier and highly respected in the army, he was also known for his sometimes explosive temper which earned him the nickname “old snapping turtle.”

To the right of General Meade’s monument is the large domed Pennsylvania Monument. Beyond and to the south (right if looking from the Meade Equestrian Statue) are Little Round Top and Big Round Top. Across the road and to the west is a field that stretches to a tree line. This tree line is Seminary Ridge. Part of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s front lines were located on Seminary Ridge from late in the day on July 1 through July 4. The town of Gettysburg is located to the north. Cemetery Hill, a key position in the US lines, is marked by the tall evergreen trees to the northeast of the statue. This is the location of the local Evergreen Cemetery and the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. The far right flank of the Federal army was located on Culp’s Hill, just visible over the cannons of Turnbull’s battery.