Gettysburg - Day Three
dvwjr
Posted on 01/28/2005 8:52:47 AM PST by Valin
Born in Richmond, Va. On January 28,1825,Pickett graduated from West Point in l846,last in a class of 59. Among his several classmates who became generals were George B. McClellan and Thomas J. Jackson.
In the war with Mexico Pickett was brevetted lieutenant and captain for his service in the Siege of Vera Cruz and during the subsequent advance on Mexico City. He served in Texas, Virginia, and Washington Territory until 1861, when he resigned his commission to enter the Confederate army.
His name in Civil War history was secured in a losing cause, the charge against the Federal center on the third day at Gettysburg. Following bloody but inconclusive movements 1-2 July, Lee ordered the massive assault, which followed an intensive but basically ineffectual cannonade.
Under Pickett's immediate command were the brigades of Brig. Gens. James L. Kemper, Richard B. Garnett, and Lewis A. Armistead. According to reports, Pickett was in excellent spirits and expected to carry the Union defenses. At mid-afternoon the forward movement began with the troops dressed as if on parade as they marched into the Federal guns.
Pickett, as division commander, attempted to coordinate the ill-fated movement and, contrary to the view of some critics, acquitted himself bravely and well. But the task was impossible, and he ordered his men to withdraw when clearly they could not break the Union center.
Notwithstanding the bravery of his troops and his own efforts on the field, Pickett's military reputation was afterward in decline. He fought in battles at New Berne, Petersburg, and Five Forks. General R. E. Lee relieved him of his command after Sayler's Creek, only days before the final surrender at Appomattox.
Following the war he was an insurance salesman in Richmond and died in Norfolk July 30, 1875.
Source: "Historical Times Encyclopedia Of The Civil War" Edited By Patricia L. Faust
Pickett was quite dismayed at Lee for ordering that charge. After the war he and Longstreet visited Lee and Pickett could barely hide his hostility. As they were leaving Longstreet asked Pickett why he had such an attitude and Picket said:"The old man destroyed my division at Gettysburg!" to which Longstreet replied:"True, but he made you immortal."
same note... last week... great movie. Went to Gettysburg the next day - never grows tiresome... The diorama is being restored... get in for free now and get a very good, personal interpretation from the NPS employee.
"High Watermark" Ping!
If memory serves me correctly, the strength of the Union army was with Meade in the hills at Gettysburg. There were no quality union forces between Lee and the Capitol including those manning the forts...green recruits, etc. Most would probably have run like hell as they did at Bull Run.
I believe that you are confusing Gettysburg with Five Forks, where when Picketts commanders went looking for him he was nowhere to be found. He had left his headquarters to attend a fish bake hosted by General Rosser. From everything I've read, Pickett was on the field at Gettysburg exactly where he should have been.
Pickett's uncle, Andrew Johnston, was a lawyer and politician in Quincy, Illinois. According to the story, Pickett wanted to go to West Point but the local congressman, John T. Stuart, was a political rival of Johnston. A mutual friend of the two men was engaged by Johnston as an intermediary to plead Pickett's case, and the appointment to West Point was obtained. The intermediary was Abraham Lincoln, who is supposed to have taken a liking to Pickett and remained in touch with him during his military career.
How much truth there is to that is open to question. What is true is that Pickett graduated dead last in a West Point class that included George McClellan, Thomas Jackson, Darius Couch, John Gibbon, Jesse Reno, A.P. Hill and over a dozen other generals.
"GET OVER IT"
Well said Sir.
BTW Georgie Pickett was a perfumed Dandy and a lousy General Officer. Period.
dvwjr
"Most would probably have run like hell as they did at Bull Run."
Bull Run? Where's that?
Ohhh...you mean the Battle of Manassas Junction!
TSSRA!
dvwjr
Yea...but Custer was a B*stard!
George Pickett a gentleman!
How about if we DON'T WANNA GET OVER IT?
Who appointed you WBTS Police?
I don't know the whole story, but I do know that Pickett would not tolerate anyone bad-mouthing Lincoln in his presence!
Dandy he may have been, but I disagree, regarding his abilities as a General.
BTW, Why would a resident of the "State of Fruits and Nuts" be trying to insult a Southern Officer's memory....?
True enough, but both made poor decisions on the battlefield and neither would have been accepted to Mensa.
Interestingly enough, the reason for the failure of the "charge" is a farmers fence that the Confederate troops had to climb over. They were under strict orders not to destroy any private property, hence they could not tear the fence down. That being said, the troops had to climb over it which left them stationary and exposed to double canister rounds from Yankee cannon. None can fault the courage of the South that day, and they did manage to make it all the way to the center of the Yankee lines, but by the time they got there, the mortal damage had already been done. Too many troops were lost climbing the fence to successfully carry the center of the Union line. The fence would be called the Murphy's Law of that battle. For had Lee succeeded in breaking the Union center, he would've carried the battle and won the South's bid for independence.
You know more about that than I do. OTOH Longstreet seemed to think a lot of him.
How about if we DON'T WANNA GET OVER IT?
Then enjoy living in the past, the rest of us are busy getting on with the future.
Hey sport,I'm not trying to insult anyone, Southern Gentleman or otherwise.
FYI I was born in Smith County Texas (Tyler) IN 1936 and come from a long,long line of Confederate supporters from both Texas and Mississippi,and the 15th Alabama.
The fact is that Virginia's George Edward Pickett was a fine dashing figure with his perfumed locks and his dramatic
flare for the spotlight. But a a leader of men he had a lot of shortcommings.
When his Virginia Division made their charge at the Union center on the third bloody day at Gettysburg little Georgie was in the rear weeping.
I call that an ineffectual leadership. Southern Gentleman or not.
And you can take your crack about the "Land of Fruits and Nuts" and stick it where the sun don't shine.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you clown.
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