PICKETT, GEORGE EDWARD American Confederate soldier, born at Richmond, Va., Jan. 25, 1825. Upon graduation at West Point in 1846 he was assigned to the 8th United States infantry; served with distinguished valour in all the battles of Gen. Scott in Mexico, including the siege of Vera Cruz and the storming of Chapultepec, where, it is said, he was first to scale the parapets and unfurl the American flag over the castle. After peace was restored, Pickett was transferred to Washington Territory where he was destined to play an important role in the north-west boundary controversy. In 1859 he was ordered to occupy San Juan island, where he prevented the land ing of a superior force of British troops. On the outbreak of the Civil War he resigned his command (June 1861) and offered his services to the Confederacy. He was commissioned captain and after a short time was made a colonel. In Feb. 1862 he was ap pointed a brigadier-general and assigned to the command of a Virginia brigade of infantry. During that year he rendered able service in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill and Fredericksburg. While leading his men at Gaines Mill he was
severely wounded, but upon returning to his command in Septem ber he was made a major-general. At Gettysburg, his division was held in reserve until July 3 when it led the attack on Cemetery hill. The charge of Pickett's men is one of the most famous episodes of military history. Over three-quarters, 3,393 officers and men out of 4,500 were left on the field. He subse quently commanded the Confederate forces in North Carolina but after the failure to take Newbern, he turned north to defend Petersburg. His troops participated in the assault on Grant's line at Cold Harbor and performed excellent service in the closing campaign of 1865 at Dinwiddie court house and Five Forks. After the Civil War he went to Richmond and later to Norfolk where he was engaged in the insurance business. His death oc curred in Norfolk on July 30, 1875.
See La Salle Corbell Pickett, Pickett and his Men (1899, rev. ed., 1913), and A. C. Inman, editor, Soldier of the South; Gen. Pickett's War Letters to His Wife (1928).