George Edward Pickett was born in Richmond, Virginia January 16, 1825. The son of Robert and Mary Pickett, George joined a long line of Virginia aristocracy that began in 1639. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1842 at the age of 17 and he finished last in his class, but he finished . . . one-half of the students who started with Pickett did not. Upon graduation, 2nd Lt. Pickett was assigned to the 8th U.S. Infantry in Mexico where he gained a warrior's reputation at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Churubusco and Chapultepec. By 1848, 1st Lt. Pickett was serving in Texas where the army was fighting Indians.
In March of 1855, George Pickett was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to the 9th U.S. Infantry at Fort Monroe, Virginia. February 1856 found Pickett in the Department of the Pacific, Washington Territory, where he gained fame in 1859 as commanding officer during the "pig war," also known as the San Juan incident. George was 34 years old, had married twice, had been a widower twice and had a small son. And the War Between the States was still two years away.
- Little-Known Facts [Updated 07-11-07]
- "Once Upon a Time. . ."
- The Great Birth Date Controversy
- Captain George Pickett, 9th U.S. Infantry
- The Monument
- Pickett Artifact Returns to Virginia
- The Petersburg Connection
- The Old Home Place: Turkey Island
- He Said, She Said. . .
- Advise and Consent
- Special Agent George E. Pickett
- In Perpetuity
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Created: 08-11-00
Last modified: 04-05-05For more information about the Pickett Society, please contact phwood@pickettsociety.com.
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