Why was general Meade replaced after Gettysburg?

Answer 1

One of the more inexplicable non events of the US Civil War was the failure of the victor at the Battle of Gettysburg, General George G. Meade to refuse to engage the retreating Army of Northern Virginia before it could escape to safety in Virginia. The Battle of Gettysburg ended on July 3,1863 with the defeat of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Based on the aftermath of the battle, Lee's only choice was to retreat from Pennsylvania, march through Maryland and cross the Potomac River to safe haven in Virginia. To the surprise of all parties, both North and South, Lee crossed the Potomac River on July 14.Upon the losses of the South on the last day of the battle, Meade had telegraphed General Halleck in Washington that his army was in high spirits. The next day Meade sent another telegraph that his army was too worn out and was unable to engage the enemy again.

Lee's retreat was hampered by continuous rain storms. The pontoon bridges he built on his way North were destroyed by Union cavalry and the river, swollen by the heavy rains made crossing it impossible.

Based on his situation, Lee wrote letters to Confederate President Davis and to his wife to expect the worse. His last hope was to attempt a diversion by having General Beauregard begin a "demonstrated" march towards Washington. This might save Lee's army and save the unprotected Richmond as well. This never happened.

Lincoln had been certain, along with everyone else, that the chance to destroy the trapped Army of Virginia was now at hand. Lincoln's frustration was beyond words.

Repeatedly, Halleck sent direct orders to Meade to attack Lee's army. Each time Meade offered reasons why he could not. During the flurry of telegraphs between Halleck and Meade, Meade polled his commanding officers as to whether they should launch an attack. The vote was "no".

Halleck made it clear that holding meetings with his commanding officers on the matter was not appropriate. He reminded Meade of Lincoln's anger over the situation. And it was worse than mere "anger".

Reportedly, Lincoln's personal order was to attack. If it was successful, all the glory to Meade, if it failed, he ( Lincoln) would take the blame.

When it became clear on July 14, more than a week after his defeat, that Lee had built new bridges and escaped, Meade offered to be relieved, claiming that the President's undeserved censure, left him no choice.

Halleck assured Meade there was no censure and to pursue Lee. On his part, Meade had written to his wife that he had been ordered to do impracticable military maneuvers against Lee, and expected that he would be found at fault ( for Lee's escape ).

This had indeed been a chance, combined with Grant's victory at Vicksburg, to truly end the war. It never happened and two more years of bloody battles were in store for both sides.

Answer 2

Union General George G. Meade asked to be relieved after his failure to pursue the Army of Northern Virginia after his victory at Gettysburg because the victory was marred by his ineffective pursuit during the Retreat from Gettysburg, and intense political rivalries in the Army.

Answer 3

He wasn't replaced.

U.S. Grant, as the new General-in-Chief, agreed to keep him in the job, but occupied a mobile HQ travelling with Meade's Army, and this caused some confusion.