Prelude to Gettysburg: The Armies Move North

This expedited concentration of force was prompted by Lee's reports that the Federals were dangerously close, especially considering the spread-out nature of Lee's forces. And it was General Meade, who had taken command on June 28 (just 3 days prior to Gettysburg), who was very much a part of causing problems for Lee. Meade, replacing General Joseph Hooker after an abrupt resignation, didn't have much time to learn the intricacies of high command. The urgency of the situation -- knowing that Lee's army had crossed the Potomac and was invading Pennsylvania -- prompted Meade to act quickly in reorganizing his army and concentrating it in a way as to stay between Lee and Washington.

Meade was under general orders from Lincoln and Halleck (overall Union commander) to

maneuver and fight in such a manner as to cover the capital and also Baltimore, as far as circumstances will admit. Should General Lee move upon either of these places, it is expected that you will either anticipate him or arrive with him so as to give him battle (Coddington, 1968, p. 214).

Further, Meade was given the latitude to act as he deemed necessary within the parameters outlined by Halleck. He was granted full command over not only the Army of the Potomac but the Union forces at Harper's Ferry and Harrisburg as well. And one particularly useful power proffered him was that which allowed him to appoint anyone to a command regardless of seniority, a power of which he would take full advantage during the upcoming campaign (Coddington, 1968).

But the problem for Meade was not command, but logistics. His army was spread all throughout the Maryland countryside and was in a precarious situation if he was to be attacked by Lee. With the V Corps in Frederick, Maryland, Meade ordered the other six corps to begin movement toward the town. The Slocum's XII Corps was at Knoxville and had arrived in Frederick by noon on the 28th. General Sedgwick was ordered to direct his VI Corps along the main road from Baltimore from Poolesville to New Market, some seven miles east of Frederick. General John F. Reynolds, as commander of three corps comprising the Union advanced left wing, was ordered from Middletown to Frederick. Sickles' III Corps arrived 10 miles northeast of the town near Woodsborough, while the II Corps under Hancock arrived at

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