PICK'ETT, GEORGE EDWARD (1825-75). An American soldier, born in Richmond. Va. He graduated at West Point in 1846, served in the Mexican War, and was brevetted first lieutenant for gallantry at Contreras and Churnbuseo, and captain for his conduct at Clmpultepec. Ile be came first lieutenant in 1849 and captain in 1855. In 1856, while serving in the Territory of Wash ington, he occupied San Juan Island and pre vented the landing of British troops. The dis pute over the northwest boundary was in prog ress, and Sir James Douglas, the British gov ernor, had sent warships to eject the Americans; an engagement was averted only by the arrival of the British admiral, who refused to resort to the force of arms. He resigned from the Federal Army June 25, 1861, and became major of ar tillery in the Confederate Army. On July 23d he was made colonel in the provisional army and was assigned to command in the lower Rappa hannock. On February 28, 1862, he was ap pointed brigadier-general in Longstreet's divi sion of Joseph E. .Johnston's army, then known as the Army of the Potomac, but later as the Army of Northern Virginia. At Seven Pines he
held his ground stubbornly, though outnum bered. He was seriously wounded at Gaines's Mill, and on his recovery was made major-gen eral, in October, 1862. At Fredericksburg he held the centre of the Confederate line. At Gettys burg his division reached the field on the morning of the third day, .July 3d, and formed the centre of the attacking line in the famous assault on Cemetery Ridge. (See GETTYSBURG. ) Septem ber, 1863, General Pickett received command of the Department of North Carolina, and made an unsuccessful demonstration against Newbern in January, 1864. When he returned to Virginia his division recaptured the Confederate lines at Drewry's Bluff in June. Ile was sent to Lynch burg to oppose Sheridan's cavalry in March, 1865, and was badly defeated at Dinwiddie Court House and Five Forks, but rallied his men and checked the pursuit. After the close of the war he engaged in business at Rielmlond, where he (lied.