On January 20th, Society members and the Pickett family gathered in Richmond to commemorate General Pickett’s 182nd birthday. We began at the Pickett Monument in Hollywood Cemetery where Anne Minor Baker offered prayers and led us in a stirring version of “Dixie.” Pat Wood spoke to the group about George E. Pickett’s military career, first as a United States Army officer for 15 years and then as a Confederate States Army officer.

Lunch afterwards at the Capital Ale House was first-rate and provided an opportunity for those present to enjoy the camaraderie within the group. Our speaker was Dr. James S. Robbins, author of the recently published “Last in Their Class: Custer, Pickett and the Goats of West Point.” He told us that he included the most well-known and storied goats in the book. The character of some of those men made them superb, responsible military officers. Dr. Robbins pointed out that being last in their class was, and is still today, a distinction that is somewhat coveted within each graduating class.

(L to R) Dwight Wood, Jim Robbins and Clay Pickett. Dr. Robbins is showing the group the honorarium which was made specially for him. They are old fashioned glasses with pewter likenesses of General Custer and General Pickett on them. Those two general graced the cover of Jim's new book.