Which Confederate general led the division in Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg?

The Confederate general who led the division in Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg was George Pickett. His fresh Virginia division formed the most famous part of the Confederate assault across open ground toward the Union position on Cemetery Ridge on July 3, 1863.

Pickett’s division was one of three Confederate divisions involved in the attack, alongside troops commanded temporarily by James Johnston Pettigrew and Isaac Trimble. Overall direction belonged to Lieutenant General James Longstreet, acting under Robert E. Lee’s plan. Pickett commanded his own division, including the brigades of Lewis Armistead, Richard B. Garnett, and James L. Kemper.

The attack followed a massive artillery bombardment but was met by concentrated Union rifle and artillery fire. Armistead’s brigade briefly reached the Union line near the Angle, yet the assault collapsed with enormous Confederate losses. Because Pickett was the only Confederate major general from Virginia in the attack and his division was prominent, the entire action became known as “Pickett’s Charge,” even though he did not command every unit involved.