Meade's Headquarters

History: On June 29, 1863, Union General George G. Meade ordered the Army of the Potomac to Pipe Creek to counter any move by Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia toward Washington or Baltimore. General Meade established his headquarters here at Taneytown and watched his exhausted and footsore soldiers march by. Union General Winfield Hancock's II Corps passed through Taneytown on July 1. Hancock later received orders from Meade to leave his corps, hurry to Gettysburg, and take charge of Union forces there after the death of commander General John Reynolds in the battle's opening moments. Meade followed, making his headquarters in the home of Mrs. Lydia Leister, who took refuge with her children in Silver Run.

More to Explore: Find the perfect bottle of wine while enjoying a breath-taking view of the Catoctin Mountains at nearby wineries on the Carroll Wine Trail. The Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel here in Taneytown provides a romantic and luxurious getaway with a touch of history. The hotel's restaurant is acclaimed for its cuisine. To further immerse yourself in the town's local history, stop by Taneytown History Museum on East Baltimore Street.

Photo Credits:

1. "Union General George Meade." courtesy of Antietam National Battlefield.
2. "Major General Winfield S. Hancock." courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.