Who served as George Meade's chief of staff at Gettysburg?

Daniel Butterfield served as George Meade’s chief of staff at Gettysburg. Meade assumed command of the Army of the Potomac only days before the battle, and Butterfield continued in the staff position he had held under Meade’s predecessor, Joseph Hooker.

Butterfield handled headquarters administration, correspondence, and the transmission of orders during the campaign. His name appears on wartime dispatches issued from army headquarters, including communications sent during the fighting on July 1. He was a major general and had previously commanded troops in several major campaigns.

The arrangement was politically awkward. Meade distrusted Butterfield because of Butterfield’s close association with Hooker, but initially retained him because replacing a chief of staff immediately was difficult. Butterfield was wounded during the Confederate bombardment on July 3 and later left the post.

Butterfield is also associated with the bugle call “Taps,” although the precise history of its composition is debated. He should not be confused with Seth Williams, the army’s assistant adjutant general, or with Andrew A. Humphreys, who commanded a corps at Gettysburg.