Of those first named, Burnside at one time had command of the Army of the Potomac, and later of the Army of the Ohio.

Hooker also commanded the Army of the Potomac for a short time.
General Meade was an officer of great merit, with drawbacks to his usefulness that were beyond his control.

He had been an officer of the engineer corps before the war, and consequently had never served with troops until he was over forty-six years of age.

He never had, I believe, a command of less than a brigade.

He saw clearly and distinctly the position of the enemy, and the topography of the country in front of his own position.