The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-31
OBITUARY..
GENERAL GEORGE e. PICKETT.


Major General George E. Pickett, OF Virginia,
died at Norfolk, at quarter to eleven last night,
after q brief Illness. Deceased, VINO was the
eldest son of the late colonel Robert Pick
EFT, OF Henrico county, Virginia, was
born in the city OF Richmond. In
June, 1912, he entered West Point from
whence he graduated in june 1916. In the au-
tumn or the latter year deceased was assigned to
duly In the Eighth infantry with the rank OF bre-
vet second lieutenant, and joined the United States
army then in Mexico IN time to participate IN
General Scotts expedition against Vera Cruz and
the march upon the Mexican capital. The Eighth
infantry formed portion OF General Worth's CON-
mand, ana Lieutenant Pickett was noticed IN the
reports OF General Scott for his gallant conduct
in tie battles OF Contreras Churuousco, Molno
Del Rey and Chapultepec; and "ior gallant and
meritorous conduct" at the last named battle he
received the brevet rank OF captain When vir.
gnia seeded from the Union in 1861 Captain
Pickett, who had since the close OF the Mexican
war been on active duty In Texas. New
Mexico, oregon and Washington Territory
responded TO the call OF bis native state and re-
signing his commission fastened to Richmond,
the then capital Of the Southern Con-
iederacy. He was at once commissioned
as colonel, and assigned to duty on
the lower RappanannocS. In February, 1862,
he was mad "a brlgadier in Longstreet's
division oil the Army oil the Potomac. The COM
mand to which he was assigned participated with
honor in the stubbornly contested battles OF
Williamsburg, Seven Pines and Games Mills
General Picket receiving at the last named
place a severe wound In the shoulder.
which disabled him for several months
IL was subsequently, at the battle OF Gettysburg
however, that General Pickett made the most
brilliant marx In MS military career. on that
memorable occasion PlcSett's DIVISION covered
ITSELF with glory by Its heroic charge upon
"the iron'clad crest OF Gettysburg" led
by their lavorIie commander IN person.
and lis ranks lost about three 10 1rths OF their
number IN the terrific struggle for victory After
the retreat OF Lees army from PENNSYLVANIA
Department. oil Virginia and North Carolina, and
he organized an attack upon Newbern, North
and strongly fortified. He failed in this
undertaking, but under such circumstances
that he added TO his reputation as an energetic
and able COMMANDER. In May, 1864 when General
Butler threatened Richmond, with mis- troops oc-
cupyng City Point and Bermuda Hundred, Cen
eral Pickett, who mad previously been relieved OF
Petersburg. This he did, holding all the
approaches with new leves Of badly
armed men till ne was succeeded by
General Beauregard. who had arrived with
the war, before PETERSBURG, Pickett ana his
heroic men figured with conspicuous gallantry,
In the battle OF Five Forks mis- DIVISION Uore the
brunt and only gave way wnen the federal force
became overwhelming. After this crushing de-
feat General Pickett, with the scattering rem
nants OF MS men, rctreated toward Amelia Court
House. He subsequently reported 10 General
Longstreet under whom he served till the SOUTH
ern army was finally surrendered and dispersed.
General Pickett was attacked some days since
with gastric lever and taken To the Hospital OF st.
Vincent dc Paul. at Norfolk. Here ne was at
tended by his devoted vile, by DR.. Beae, OF Ricn-
mond. and by large family circle, as well as by
numerous friends residing In the neighborhood.
His death Will occasion mucn sorrow In the COM
munlty, In which he was universally beloved,