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Major General George Edward Pickett, CSA (b1825-d1875). Pickett, a native of Richmond, Virginia, was the “goat” of the West Point class of 1846. He distinguished himself in combat at Contreras and Churubusco during the Mexican War. He made his reputation though, by being the first over the parapets of Chapultepec on Sept. 13, 1847. In 1859 while serving as a captain, he occupied San Juan Island, British territory, during the little known Pig War in the Washington Territory. In response to a British demand he vacate he replied "I am here by virtue of an order from my government, and shall remain till recalled by the same authority." The only casualty of the Pig War was a pig, in 1872 a commission appointed by Kaiser Wilhelm I decided in favor of the United States and joint occupation of San Juan Island ended. Pickett Resigned his U.S. Army commission in June of 1861, and was commissioned a colonel in the Confederate army. He was promoted to Brigadier General in February 1862, he commanded the Gamecock Brigade during the Seven Days Campaign, where he was wounded at Gaines Mill. He did see action again until Fredericksburg, and did not return to duty until after Antietam. Still, he was promoted Major General in October 1862, and given command of a division under Longstreet, with whom he had served in Mexico. His division stood on the defense at Fredericksburg, in the center of the Confederate line. Pickett is most remembered for his actions at Gettysburg, where his division of 4,500 Virginians took part in the failed attack on the Federal center on the third day of the battle, which became famous as "Pickett's Charge". Like the confederacy, it was all down hill for Pickett after Gettysburg. When Sheridan attacked his position at Five Forks on April 1, 1865, Pickett was away at a shad bake. He was relieved from duty by General Lee on the day before the Appomattox. Confederate raider John Mosby wrote of an encounter he and Pickett had with General Lee in Richmond after the war. Upon leaving Lee's presence, Pickett spoke bitterly of Lee to Mosby saying, "That old man had my division massacred at Gettysburg." Mosby replied, "Well, it made you immortal." Pickett died on July 30th, 1875 at Norfolk, Virginia and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

Gil=> NOTE: Written by Scott Jennings

Thanks!

Okay, I've gone through Pickett. I added a lot more on the Pig War, since it's such a bizarre little episode and most people don't know of Pickett's role, and on Pickett's Charge. I also added that bit at the end about his wives.

Regarding teachable abilities, I've given him Resilient, Brave, and Chargers (twice). But I'm wondering whether he should get Chargers -- after all, that ability causes greater damage during a charge, and Pickett's Charge didn't exactly do much damage. At the same time, wouldn't it be odd for Pickett not to have Chargers? Maybe I'll replace it with Steady, which means a greater chance of becoming disordered in a fire fight.

Here's the bio:

Maj. Gen. George Edward Pickett (b. 1825, d. 1875). Pickett, a native of Richmond, was the “goat” of the West Point class of 1846 (a title earned by being ranked last). Despite his poor academic showing, he distinguished himself in combat at Contreras and Churubusco during the Mexican-American War, and made his reputation by being the first over the parapets of Chapultepec on Sept. 13, 1847. In 1859 while serving as a captain in Washington Territory, he occupied San Juan Island, a British territory, during the little-known incident known as the “Pig War.” Precipitated by an American farmer’s killing of a pig that was rooting up his garden – and turned out to be property of an Irishman working for the Hudson’s Bay Company – an international incident soon erupted when Pickett was sent by the commander of the Department of Oregon to occupy the island and prevent the British from landing there. In response to a British demand he vacate he replied "I am here by virtue of an order from my government, and shall remain till recalled by the same authority." Since both sides were under strict orders to defend themselves but not to initiate hostilities, and neither side’s insults were effective enough to goad the other to fire first, the only casualty of the Pig War ended up being the pig, and the crisis was ultimately resolved in 1872 when a commission appointed by Kaiser Wilhelm I decided in favor of the United States and joint occupation of San Juan Island ended. For his performance in the Pig War, Pickett gained national attention once again. Pickett resigned his U.S. Army commission in June 1861, and was commissioned a Colonel in the Confederate army. He was promoted to Brigadier General in January 1862, for his first military command was put in charge of the Gamecock Brigade during the Peninsula Campaign. Having been wounded in the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Pickett did not return to action until September, but did not see much action until the Battle of Fredericksburg that December, when his division was at the center of the Confederate line. During this period he was promoted to Major General on October 10, 1862, and given command of a division under Gen. James Longstreet, with whom he had served in Mexico. Pickett is most remembered for his actions at the Battle of Gettysburg on the third day (July 3, 1863), when his fresh division of 4,500 Virginians and two other divisions, amounting to 12,500 men, took part in the disastrous attack on the Union center on the third day of the battle which became famous as "Pickett's Charge." The charge, ordered by Gen. Robert E. Lee despite the objections of Longstreet, suffered from multiple problems at various stages of its planning and execution, and the end result was that the Confederates suffered more than 50% casualties and few even reached the wall that was their destination. Neither Pickett, who resented having the charge linked to his name, nor the Confederacy ever recovered from the setback. His military career ended shortly before the war did when, playing an important role in the defense of Richmond, Pickett was defeated in the Battle of Five Forks on April 1, 1865, in part because when the battle began he was away at a shad bake. He was relieved from duty by Lee on the day before the surrender at Appomattox Court House. Confederate raider John Mosby later wrote of an encounter he and Pickett had with Lee in Richmond after the war. Upon leaving Lee's presence, Pickett spoke bitterly of Lee to Mosby saying, "That old man had my division massacred at Gettysburg." Mosby replied, "Well, it made you immortal." Pickett’s life was marked by personal tragedies as well: he lost a wife and child while serving in Texas, and his second wife died in childbirth. Pickett died on July 30th, 1875 in Norfolk and is buried in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery. (Bio by Scott Jennings)

I do not think it would be odd for him not to have charges as he was not choosen at Gettysburg for his skills but for the fact that his were the only fresh Confederate troops available on day three.