Key-Figures

General John Porter
"Major General Fitz John Porter (Library of Congress) Fitz John Porter graduated 8th out of 41 from the United States Military Academy in 1845. He served during the Mexican-American War, receiving a brevet promotion to captain for gallantry at the battle of Molino del Ray, and a brevet promotion to major for a wound he received at the battle of Chapultepec. After the war, he returned to West Point and served as the assistant instructor of artillery from 1849 until 1855. From 1857 to 1858, he served under Albert Sydney Johnson as an adjutant during his Utah expedition."

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/fitz-john-porter.html

General George Pickett
"George Edward Pickett was born in Richmond, Virginia. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at the age of 17, and graduated last in his class at West Point in 1846. He was immediately sent to participate in the Mexican-American War where he received to brevet promotion for being the first to climb a parapet at the Battle of Chapultepec. After the Mexican-American War, Pickett continued to serve in the United States military and was assigned to the Washington Territory, where he became involved in a land dispute with Great Britain known as the Pig War."

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/george-pickett.html