Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-02

Gen. George e. Pickett,

Gen. George E. Pickett,
whose death was announced on Saturday, was
born in the city Of Richmond, State of Vir-
GINA, and was the eldest son of the late Colonel
Robert Pickett. of Turkey Island, in the coun.
ty of Henrico.
He entered West Point as a cadet in June,
1912. and graduated in June, 1916. In the
fall of 1916, he entered the American army,
then in Mexico, as brevet second lieutenant.
The celebrated battles of 1916 had been fought
by Gen. Taylor previous to the arrival OF the
| young lieutenant, and be consequently bore no
part in them. In the winter following, the
| division Of the army to which Lieut.. Pickett
belonged was ordered to join the expedition I'm.
der Gen. Scott against Vera Cruz. From Vera
Cruz to the city of Mexico, Pickett served as
second lieutentantin the Eighth Infantry (Gen.
Worth's command, and was repeatedly noticed
in the reports of Gen. Scott for his gallant and
meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras,
Cherubsco, Molina del Rey and Chapultepec.
For his g~allaDtry at Contreras, he was brevetted
first lieutenant, and for gallant and merito-
rlous conduct at Chapultepec was compli-
mented with the position of captain.
From the end of the Mexican war, in 1S48,
odsIi 4So4I hS outidoO0 n1U CUuStoulIy VI
duty upon the frontier-Texas. New Mexico,
Oregon and Washington Territory-his LEAVES
of absence from his command being few and
of short duration.
lo March, 1855, he was appointed captain in
the Ninth Infantry, .. s. A. In 1859, the
American settlers in San Juan Island having
complained to Gen. Harvey. who was in com
mand of that department, Of outrages suffered
from the Indians and aggressions threatened by
the British authorities, Capt. Pickett was or
dered to take military possession of the island,
which order was promptly obeyed, and a camp
formed with a force of about sixty men. In
this situation be was found by three British
men.of.w war, sent by the British Governor,
Douglas, to enforce obedience to his authority.
The three men of-war anchord with their
broadsides commanding his camp, and Capt.
Pickett was warned off" the island, and af-
forwards summoned before a British mag.
istrate. Upon refusal to recognize either OF
these notices, the British officers proposed to
land a force equal to his own and establish a
joint military occupation of the island. Act
ing upon his orders, Capt. Pickett refused to
consent to this, and, Notwithstanding the dis
parity of the force. declared that be would fire
upon them if a landing was attempted. A col.
llslon OF arms seemed inevitable, when the
British Admiral, Bayues, arrived upon the
spot, and by his orders the commencement of
hostilities was postponed. Shortly after, Lieu.
tentant Colonel Casey reached the island with
rei~nforcements, and took command of the post,
which he famed Camp Pickett, and, in
the course of few months the difficulty was
settled by General Scott in person, who con.
scented to the Joint military occupation propos.
ed by the British officers. The conduct of Capt.
Pickett was pointedly approved by Gen. Har-
ney. and he was recommended by the same Of
6cer for a brevet for the cool judgment, abili-
ty and gallantry" which he had displayed.
President Buchanan, in the instructions 10
Gen. Scott, directed that Capt. Pickett should
remain 10 command of the United States forces
upon the island, and these Instructions were at
first complied With but afterwards, at the in
stance OF the British Governor, Douglas, Gen.
Scott thought fit to remove him. He was sub
sequently replaced in command by General
Harvey. aud remained there until 1861, when
he resigned his commission and returned to
Virginia, not without difficulty, to offer bis ser.
vices to the Confederate States.
He was at once commissioned as colonel, and
assigned to duty on the lower Rappahannock.
ln February, 1862, be was made a brigadier
in Lougstreets division of the Army of the Po-
tomac. The command to which he was as
signed participated with honor 10 the stubborn
ly contested battles of Williamsburg, Seven
Pines and Gaines Mills, General Pickett re-
celvlng at the last named place a severe wound
In the shoulder, which disabled him for several
months. 1t was subsequently,, at the battle of
Gettysburg, however, that Gen Pickett made
the most brilliant mark in his military caree.
On that memorable occasion Pickett's division
covered itself with glory by its heroic charge
upon " the iron-clad crest of Gettysburg, " led
by their ~taVorite commander 10 person. Every
brigadier in the division fell and its ranks lost
about three .fourtbs of their number in the ter
rifle struggle for victory. After the retreat of
Lees army from Pennsylvania General Pickett
was placed 10 command of the Department of
Virginia and North Carolina, and he organized
an attack upon Newbern, North Carolina, then
in possession Of the Federal forces and strongly
fortified. He failed in this undertaking, but
under such circumstances that he added to his
reputation as an energetic and able commander.
ln May, 1864, when General Butler threaten
ed Richmond, with his troops occupying City
Point and Bermuda Hundred, General Pickett,
who bad previously been relieved of bis COM
mand, was ordered to remain and defend Pc
t%ersburg. This be did, holding all the ap-
proaches with new levies of badly armed men
till he was succeeded by General Beauregard,
who had arrived with reintorcements of veteran
troops. 10 the last act of the war, before Pc.
t~ersburg, Pickett aud his heroic men figured
with conspicuous gallantry. 10 the battle Of
Five Forks his division bore the bruut and on.
ly gave way when the Federal force became
overwhelming. After this crusbiog defeat
General Pickett, with the scattering remnants
of his men, retreated toward Amelia Court
House. He subsequently reported to General
Longstreet, under whom he served till the
Southern army was finally surrendered and dis.
persed.
The funeral took place 10 Norfolk on Satur,
day evening, from Christ Church, and was very
imposing and largely attended. The Norfolk
Light Artillery Blues and the City Guards,
with the Government baud (which was tender.
ed by Commodore Stevens, acted as a military
escort to the remains. Rev. N. A. Okeson de-
livered the funeral grafton, aud other Episco-
pal ministers assisted at the services. Grice
Commaudery paid the Knights Templar hon.
| oo ord ai1htoap op tho ,,o,. -.