George Edward Pickett was born in Richmond, Virginia on January 28, 1825. He came from an old Virginia family that had arrived in the colony in 1635. Pickett attended the United States military academy at West Point where he graduated last in a class of 59. Along with him in West Point were classmates who would also become generals; they were George B. McClellan and Thomas J. Jackson. After West Point; General Pickett served with honor in the Mexican War from 1846 to 1847. He served in Texas; Virginia; and Washington Territory until June 25, 1861, where he resigned his commission to enter the Confederate Army. This happened only two months before after his home state of Virginia seceded from the Union in April 1865.1.
General Pickett served in the United States Army for 15 years. On February 14, 1862, General Pickett was appointed Brigadier General of the Confederate army. He served as Brigadier General during the Seven Days Campaign, which suffered a shoulder wound. Upon rejoining the army in September of 1862 he was promoted to the rank of Major General. During the Seven Days Campaign at Fredericksburg General Pickett's division was not engaged by Union troops. As part of General John Longstreet's Corps, General Pickett and John Bell Hood took their divisions to the southeast of Virginia during March-April 1863. Their Primary mission during this Campaign to the southeast was for supplies. General Pickett's next significant battle was at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where the confederate forces endured heavy casualties. 2.
1. Http://www.civilwarhome.com/pickettbio.html.
2. , www.ehistory.com/world/PeopleView.Cfm?PID=55.
During the battle of Gettysburg General Pickett led what became known as "Pickett's Charge". It was an unsuccessful attempt to coordinate a massive assault on the Union center. After that assault General Pickett's military reputation declined and after fighting in the battles of New Berne, Petersburg Five Forks and Sayler's Creek he was relieved of command by General Robert E.