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General George Pickett in Life and Legend: A Civil War Enigma

Jonathan Franzen

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General George E. Pickett in Life and Legend (Civil War America)

by Lesley J. Gordon

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2280 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	281 pages

General George Pickett was one of the most controversial figures in American history. He is best known for his disastrous charge at the Battle of Gettysburg, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Confederate soldiers. But who was the real George Pickett? Was he a brilliant military commander or a reckless fool? Was he a hero or a villain? General George Pickett in Life and Legend attempts to unravel the enigma of one of the most fascinating characters in American history.

Pickett's Early Life and Career

George Pickett was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1825. He was the son of a wealthy plantation owner and a descendant of one of Virginia's oldest families. Pickett attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1846. He served with distinction in the Mexican-American War, and was promoted to the rank of captain in 1851.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Pickett resigned his commission in the U.S. Army and joined the Confederate Army. He was appointed a brigadier general and commanded a brigade at the First Battle of Bull Run. Pickett's brigade fought bravely at Bull Run, and he was promoted to the rank of major general in 1862.

Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg

Pickett is best known for his charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. On the third day of the battle, July 3, 1863, Pickett was Free Downloaded to lead a massive infantry assault against the Union center. Pickett's charge was a disaster. The Confederate soldiers were mowed down by Union artillery and musket fire, and Pickett himself was wounded. The charge resulted in the deaths of thousands of Confederate soldiers, and it is considered one of the turning points of the Civil War.

Pickett's Later Life and Legacy

After the Battle of Gettysburg, Pickett was transferred to the Army of Tennessee. He fought at the Battle of Chickamauga, where he was again wounded. Pickett was captured by Union forces in 1864, and he was held as a prisoner of war until the end of the war. After the war, Pickett returned to Virginia, where he worked as a farmer and a businessman. He died in 1875 at the age of 50.

Pickett's legacy is a complex one. He is remembered as a brave and charismatic leader, but he is also seen as a reckless and foolhardy commander. Pickett's charge at Gettysburg was a disastrous failure, but it also became one of the most iconic moments in American history. Pickett remains one of the most enigmatic figures in American history, and his story continues to fascinate and inspire today.

About the Book

General George Pickett in Life and Legend is a comprehensive biography of one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in American history. The book draws on extensive research, including newly discovered letters and documents, to provide a fresh and insightful look at Pickett's life and career. General George Pickett in Life and Legend is a must-read for anyone interested in the Civil War or American history.

Reviews

"General George Pickett in Life and Legend is a masterful work of scholarship. The author has done a superb job of bringing Pickett to life, and he has provided a fresh and insightful look at one of the most enigmatic figures in American history." - James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom

"General George Pickett in Life and Legend is a must-read for anyone interested in the Civil War or American history. The author has done a wonderful job of telling Pickett's story, and he has brought to light new information that will change the way we think about this fascinating figure." - Drew Gilpin Faust, author of This Republic of Suffering

General George E. Pickett in Life and Legend (Civil War America)

by Lesley J. Gordon

4 out of 5