Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/703

Rh George Stoneman, Dabney H. Maury, D. R. Jones, C. M. Wilcox, S. B. Maxey and others who attained prominence in the war of the Confederacy. Going into the war with Mexico he was promoted second lieutenant, Second infantry; was transferred to the Seventh and finally to the Eighth infantry, and participating in all the important engagements of Scott's army, was brevetted first lieutenant for gallantry at Contreras and Churubusco; earned the brevet of captain at Chapultepec, and finally took part in the capture of the Mexican capital. He subsequently served with the Eighth infantry on frontier duty in Texas until 1855, when he was promoted captain Ninth infantry, and given a year's assignment to Fortress Monroe. He was afterward on duty in Washington territory, until the spring of 1861. In 1856 he occupied San Juan island with sixty men, and forbade the landing of British troops, winning the thanks of the territorial legislature for his gallant and firm discharge of duty, and the commendation of General Harney for "cool judgment, ability and gallantry." His loyalty and firmness saved the rights of the United States until the title to the island was confirmed by international arbitration, and "Fort Pickett" guarded one end of the island until the British finally retired. His first commission in the Confederate service was as major of artillery, regular army. On July 23, 1861, as colonel in the provisional army, he was assigned to temporary command on the lower Rappahannock, with headquarters at Fredericksburg, and on February 28, 1862, being promoted to brigadier-general, he was ordered to report to General Longstreet. Commanding a brigade of Longstreet's corps, he won commendation for "using his forces with great effect, ability and his usual gallantry," at Williamsburg. On the second day of the battle of Seven Pines he was particularly distinguished for his good generalship during an attack by Hooker's command. An order to withdraw was received, which was obeyed by the other brigade commanders after the repulse of the first attack; but "Pickett, the true soldier," as Longstreet writes, "knowing that the order was not intended for such an emergency, stood and resisted the attack," holding his ground against odds of ten to one for several hours longer. The enemy attempted to creep up quietly and capture the Virginians, but they met him with a fearful fire that drove him back