Led Pickett's Charge, at Gettysburg, on July 3, 1863

With back mark of Tanner & Vanness, Lynchburg, Va.

(1825-1875) Born in Richmond, Va., he graduated last in the West Point class of 1846, and was brevetted twice for gallantry in the Mexican War. Appointed brigadier general, January 14, 1862, he led a Confederate brigade with skill during the 1862 Virginia Peninsular campaign, and was severely wounded at Gaines's Mill. Serving with General James Longstreet's 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, he was present at Fredericksburg and Suffolk, Va., and was promoted to major general, October 10, 1862. Pickett gained immortality at Gettysburg, on July 3, 1863, when his division spearheaded the assault on the strongly defended Union position on Cemetery Ridge. Forever known as "Pickett's Charge," the casualties in the assault were terrible. Pickett later commanded the Department of Virginia and North Carolina. In 1864, he fought in the Petersburg campaign, and in 1865 at Five Forks, Va. Following the war, Pickett feared prosecution for his execution of deserters and temporarily fled to Canada. An old Army friend, General Ulysses S. Grant, interceded on his behalf, and he returned to Virginia in 1866. He could not rejoin the Army, so he tried his hand at farming, then selling insurance. He died at age 50 in July 1875 at Norfolk, Va., from an "abscess of the liver." He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, in Richmond, Va.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Bust view in Confederate uniform. This war time view is apparently him as a major general. Back mark: Tanner & Vanness, Photographers, 124 Main Street, Lynchburg, Va. Ex-Bill Turner collection, the author of "Even More Confederate Faces." Light wear and foxing. Very scarce and desirable Confederate image.