J. Johnston Pettigrew
American general
Died when: 35 years 13 days (420 months)Star Sign: Cancer
James Johnston Pettigrew (July 4, 1828 – July 17, 1863) was an American author, lawyer, and soldier.He served in the army of the Confederate States of America, fighting in the 1862 Peninsula Campaign and played a prominent role in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Despite starting the Gettysburg Campaign commanding a brigade, Pettigrew took over command of his division after the division's original commander Henry Heth was wounded.
In this role, Pettigrew was one of three division commanders in the disastrous assault known as Pickett's Charge on the final day of Gettysburg.
He was badly wounded during the assault and was later mortally wounded during a Union attack while the Confederates retreated to Virginia near Falling Waters, West Virginia, dying several days later.
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