Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/262

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brevet in 1827, attained the full rank of major on October 30, 1836, and that of lieu- tenant-colonel on November 27, 1839. He won distinction in the Florida war under Gen. Worth, and served through the Mexi- can war, distinguished himself in six battles, and commanding a brigade at Monterey and through Gen. Scott's subsequent campaign. He was severely wounded at the taking of the City of Mexico. He was brevetted colo- nel for gallantry at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. and brigadier-general for meri- torious and gallant conduct at Contreras and Churubusco. He was promoted colonel on May 9. 1861,

Fickett, James Chambcrlayne, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, February 6, 1793- son of Colonel John and Elizabeth (Chamberlayne) Pickett; grandson of Cap- tain William S. and Elizabeth (Metcalfe) Pickett, and a descendant of William and Anne Pickett. In i"*/) removed with his par- ents to Mason county, Kentucky, where his father served in both branches of the state legislature. He was appointed from Ohio third lieutenant in the Second United States Artillery, August 4, 1S13: was promoted second lieutenant. April 19. iS 14, transferred tr. the corps of artillery. May 12. 1814, and left the service at the close of the war in 18 1 5. He edited the "Eagle" at Maysville. Kentucky, in 1815 ; studied law, and on June 16. I? 18. entered the United States army as captain and assistant quartermaster-general, serving until June. 1821. He settled in the practice of law in Mason county in 1821 ; was representative in the Kentucky legislature in 1822, and secretary of the state. 1825-28. By appointment of President Jackson, he was secretary of the United States legation to


Columbia, 1829-33, acting for a time as charge d'affaires. He was a commissioner 01 the United States patent office in 1835; fourth auditor of the United States treas- ury, 1835-38; United States minister to Ecuador in 1838, and charge d'affaires to Peru, 1838-45. In 1845 he removed to Wash- ington, D. C, where he was editor of the "Congressional Globe for several years. He was married, October 6, 1818, to Ellen, daughter of Governor Joseph Desha, of Ken- tucky. Their son, Joseph Desha Pickett, was a minister of the Christian church, pro- fessor in Bethany College, Virginia, chap- lain in the Confederate army, and professor of English literature and sacred history in Kentucky University. Another son. Col. John T. Pickett, was United States consul at Vera Cruz. 1853-61, special envoy extra- ordinary of the Confederate states to Mex- ico in 1865, and in 1870 sold the diplomatic correspondence of the Confederate States, known as the "Pickett Papers, to the United States government for $75,000. James Chamberlayne Pickett died in Washington, D. C, July 10, 1872.

Horner, William Edmonds, born in War- re nton, Virginia. June 3, 1793, grandson of Robert Horner, who emigrated from Eng- land to Maryland prior to the revolutionary war; he was educated at a private school, then pursued a course of study in medicine, and received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 18 14: he had been com- missioned surgeon's mate in the army m 18 1 2. and served through the war with Eng- land on the Canadian frontier: after his resignation, in 1S15. he practiced his pro- fession at Warrenton, but in the follow- ing year removed to Philadelphia, and in


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