Pickett, George E

Pickett, George E(dward)

(born Jan. 25, 1825, Richmond, Va., U.S.—died July 30, 1875, Norfolk, Va.) U.S. and Confederate army officer. He graduated from West Point and served in the Mexican War. In 1861 he resigned his commission to enter the Confederate army. He rose to major general and commanded a division at the Battle of Fredericksburg. At the Battle of Gettysburg, he led the climactic attack known as Pickett's Charge, in which 4,300 men of his division constituted almost half the attacking force under James Longstreet. The attempt to breach the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge was repulsed with the loss of about 60% of his men. Though criticized for his leadership, he retained his command.