Meade was an underestimated General. While no Grant or Thomas he was head & shoulders better than the overestimated Sherman. Lincoln’s criticism of Meade for not destroying the Army of NVA should rest more squarely on Sherman who was consistently whipped by Confederates and was too inept to defeat Hood’s depleted AOT. That task was left to the competent Thomas who was another superior General belittled and abused by Lincoln. A character flaw that marked his lack of judgment and discernment when it came to military matters. Meade was one of the best Generals of the Civil War and his victory at Gettysburg proves it.