George_E._Pickett_michael_Loffredo_perio

George Edward Pickett : 

George Edward Pickett 1825-1875 "I Shall Lead My Division Forward"

Early Life : 

Early Life George Pickett was born on January 25th,1825 in Richmond Virginia He was born the first of eight children of Robert and Mary Pickett He went to Springville, Illinois to study law but at the age of 17, he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. There are some rumors that Pickett’s spot at West Point was secured for him by president Abraham Lincoln but he was really appointed by Illinois Congressman John Stuart, a friend of Pickett’s uncle He was a popular cadet at West Point, but many also would pin him to the name “class clown” Graduated from the U.S. military academy at West Point last of his class of 59 in 1846. Graduating last of his class would lead some to think that he would end up in a dead-end career but with the Mexican-American War breaking out after graduation, Pickett may have been lucky

Mexican-American War; 1846-1848 : 

Mexican-American War; 1846-1848 Pickett served as a brevetted lieutenant and a captain in the war for his work in The Siege of Vera Cruz, and the advance on Mexico City. He was the first to climb the parapet during the Battle of Chapultepec He also saved the flag from future confederate general James Longstreet, and tried to salvage it while it was on fire. For this he was awarded a brevet promotion to captain While working under the 8th infantry in Texas, he was awarded the honor in 1849 to be called the first lieutenant In January 1851, Pickett married Sally Harrison Steward Minge…. She died of child birth later that year in November

Washington Territory : 

Washington Territory Pickett was assigned to the 9th U.S. infantry when it was formed in Washington, where he later was called captain in 1855 In 1856 he would construct Fort Bellingham He also built a frame home in Bellingham which still stands today as the oldest home in Bellingham While on Bellingham, Pickett married a Native American, Morning Mist, of the Haida tribe. They gave birth to a son, James Tilton Pickett Morning Mist died a few years later, and James died at the age of 32 in 1889 due to tuberculosis At San Juan Island, Pickett stood up to 3 British war ships and 1000 men with a garrison of 68 in the Pig War There was later a negotiation settlement made between the parties

The End of the United States Army for Pickett : 

The End of the United States Army for Pickett Until 1861 he served in Virginia, Texas, and Washington Territory Later in 1861, he would resign his commission to serve in the Confederate Army He served in the United States Army for 15 years

The Confederate Army : 

The Confederate Army Joined the Confederacy on June 25th, 1861 Appointed to colonel on July 23, 1861 On January 14th, 1862 he was appointed a brigadier general and he commanded a brigade in the division headed by Gen. Longstreet He joined the main army but after a few battles he suffered a shoulder wound that would keep him out until the fall. When he returned he was appointed a major general of a division in the Army of Northern Virginia

Pickett’s Charge : 

Pickett’s Charge July 3rd, 1863 Army of Northern Virginia makes a final attack on the Union lines at Gettysburg The Confederates were to break the Union line at the center They wanted to surround the union and outnumber them at the line to get them to retreat Lee was hoping that this would be the last great battle of the war and a battle that would keep the Confederate States of America in existence It was an open field attack 2,655 men… 42% of Pickett’s regiment Lee runs away, as some people would say 51,000 casualties The Confederate assault on the Union lines Also called “Longstreet’s Assault” End of the Battle at Gettysburg

Later Life : 

Later Life Pickett was relieved of his duties in the Confederate army the day before Lee surrendered the Civil War to Grant at the Appomattox Court House, VA Following being relieved , Pickett fled to Canada to avoid prosecution for his actions against Union captives Suffered from severe depression He really never got over the loss at Gettysburg He refused other commanding offers in battles He settled in Norfolk Virginia, where he entered the insurance business He died on July 30th, 1875

BIBLIOGRAPHY : 

BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.civilwarhistory.com/033199/pickett.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pickett#Early_years http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/features/people/bio.cfm?PID=55 http://www.civilwarhome.com/pickettbio.htm