Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-08-06
&C., y NC.

ShEICIl VI HIS LIE L fAlND
ARMY REcoRD-PARTICULA OF HIS
DEATH,
&C., &C., NC.
Mai. Gen. Geo. E. Pickett, formerly OF
the United States. and Confederate armies,
in both of which he won a historical record,
died in Norfolk, Va, on Friday night last.
1t does not seem many weeks since the gal
liant soldier, with his flowing locks and
handsome face-the picture OF ID cavalier
was walking the streets OF Staunton, IN
full health. always the centre of host OF
admiring friends. He seemed to be one
that had the promise of long and useful
life. We make up from the Norfolk pa
pars some account OF his death, which we
give below:
HIS ILLNESS AND DEATH.
Ahout two weeks ago General Pickett
went to Norfolk on Tour OF Inspection To
examine. as was his custom at stated pc
RODS. the local office OF the Washington
Insurance Company, and took lodgings al
the Atlantic Hotel The General was &C
companied by his family, and his compact,
sodier-like figure seemed as firm as When
he rode at the head of his famous division.
Soon after his arrival he Was attacked with
what was thought to be an ordinary bilious
disorder, and DR.. Shepherd was called IN.
For several days the case presented Ia
vorable aspect, but suddenly bad symptoms
appearing, DR.. VIM. Selden was consulted.
Soon thereafter it was decided 10 remove
the gentleman to the Hospital of st. Vim
cent de Paul in order that he might receive
the attention of organized nurses. and
there his condition became such that Dr.
Beale, his family physician, was telegraph
ed for, and in response to this message al
rived here on the evening OF the 18th.
The Norfolk Landmark says: AS the
disorder progressed the diagnosis was that
the general suffered from an abcess on the
liver, and it was from this that The gallant
soldier finally died, after stout resistance
to the approaches OF the fell destroyer
When it became known that he had been
removed to the hospital the community
became alarmed for the first time. and the
general excitement was great and painful
up to the last moment. The death OF SO
distinguished man at any time would
have been distressing event, DuC I'M
expected and sudden as it was the State
and the community will be lneXpHesslply
shocked at it's announcement. lie real
lied his danger at an early day, and met
his fate with dignity and composure
worthy his life and character.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
George E. Pickett was born near Rich
mord. January 25th, 1925. He was the
eldest son of Col Robert Pickett, OF Tur-
KEY Island, in James river, and Mary,
daughter of Robert Johnston, Esq, OF the
city of Richmond. He entered the Mill
tary Academy at West Point June 10Th,
1912, and graduated in 1916; appointed
brevet second lieutenant IN the Elghth
Regiment of Intai try, United States Army,
Juiy list. 1876; was engaged during the
war with Mexico in the siege OF Vera Cruz,
and battles at Cerro Gordo, Contreras,
Cherubusco, Ell Molino del Rey, Chapulte-
pee and capture of Mexico; brevetted inst
lieutenant for distinguished gallantly
and meritorfbus conduct" i'll battles OF
| Contreras aud Cherubusco, and DreVetted
captain for same in battle of Chapultepec;
served on Indian frontier from 1919 tQ
| 1851 in Texas and New Mexico; promoted
captain III Ninth Regiment United STATES
| Infantry, March Sd, 1855; served with ms
company in Oregon and on racine coast
| from 1855 to 1861; commanded United
States post at the Island of San Juan when
| the Government of Great Britain demand
| ed the withdrawal OF United States troops
| from that island Captain Pickett refused
| to Weld to this demand, and, with ms
small company (Some forty mem, dtlled
| fine whole British force until the question
was finally settled between the two govern
ments. For this gallant act Captain Pick
EFT received the highest encomlums.
| Soon after the commencement OF tne
war, in 1861, Captain Pickett resigned ms
commission in the United States army, ailo
leaving the Pacific coast, fastened TO H.
| ginia. In September of that year he was
| md .cS1UOpd q the com
! nland of forces on the lower Rappahannock
| In February, 1862, he was appointed brlea
der-general. and assigned to the command
| of Cookies Virginia brigade OF infantry
| which was thereafter known aS pickett
Brigade, - and took part in the battles Of
| Williamsburg. Seven Pines, and Gaines
| Mill, where the men of the brigade VOL
| the soubrigaet Of game cocks. -
General Pickett was severely wounded
| at Gaines Mill June 9th, 1862, and was
kept out of the field until September OF
that year, when he reassumed commano
of his brigade at Martinshurg, and on l0tl
October following assigned to the com
mand of division composed OF his own
1 Kemper's, and Armstead's Virginia brl
pades. He commanded this division il
{ every action in which it WAS engaged as q
division; Fredericksburg, December 1862
suffolk, 1868; Gettysburg, July Sd, 1868.
In September, 1868, he was assigned tC
the command of the Department of NORTH
| Carolina and Virginia, which he held will
great distinction until relieved by Genera
| Beanregard in May. 1864. While in this
command he superintendent In person the
attack upon NeWbern, N. o., and project
ed the capture of Plymouth in the same
State. Resuming command OF his dlylslon
in the army of Northern Virginia, he aided
| -, 1l,c+ 11opora1 Grant - advance or
| the North Anna and Chiekahominy, in
| May and June, 1864; drove off Genera
| Butler, and reeaptured lines ON the Ber
muda Hundreds peninsula, June 18th
| 1864. holding them until March, 1865, When
his division was relieved by General Ma
homes, and sent upon a fruitless chase
after Sheridan's raiders. In March, 1865
| General Pickett was dispatched with three
brigades to the extreme left Of the enemy'S
| line at Hatcher's Run On the 30th OF
| that month. with Y mixed force OF In
fantry, artillery and cavalry, he attacked
the enemy's cavalry at Five Forks ano
drove them to Dnwlddie Courthouse. VI
| LIST April his small force having fallen back
| to Five Forks was in turn surrounded and
| almost entirely swallowed up by the su
| perior force OF the enemy. With the rem
| nant of his own division, which had moi
| been at Five Forks, General Pickett made
the last gallant fight at Sailors Creek
April 9th, 1865, and surrendered with about
! 500 of his old division at AppomattoN
Court House, April 9th, 1861,
| THE CHARGE AT GETTYSBURG.
! [From the Norfolk ''Virginian,' July 3lst.l
But it was the eyer-memorable
day of July Sd, 1868, that covered Pickett
and Pickett's men with imperishable glory
and linked their name with tie noblest
and the saddest story of Confederate
achievement.
That day rose bright and smiling on the
| buoyant hopes of a brave army till then
victorious over all opposition, and full in
confidence Of coming victory. It Witness:
ed an assault which for daring has rarely
been equalled in the wars OF nations, when