My Union Ancestor

ARCHIBALD PIERSON

Company B, 10th Iowa Infantry

Great-great-grandfather of Jeffrey L. Vaillant

Archibald Pierson was born in Boone County, Kentucky about the 8th of September 1824, the fourth son of Robert and Nancy (Render) Pierson.

On September 25, 1845 he married Mary "Polly" Adkins (1829-1873) at Shelbyville, Shelby County, Indiana. By the time of his enlistment they had six children – five daughters and one son.

Pierson enlisted for three years as a Private in Company B, 10th Iowa Infantry on August 29, 1862 at Brooklyn, Poweshiek County, Iowa, receiving a bounty of $25. He was among 42 men from Carlisle, Iowa who enlisted in the same regiment. At the age of nearly 38 he was much older that most enlistees. He was described as being five feet, four inches tall, with a fair complexion, sandy hair and blue eyes.

Pvt. Pierson most likely caught up with his regiment in November 1862 at Oxford, Mississippi, where the 10th Iowa Infantry intended to take part in a movement against Vicksburg. However, the surrender of Holly Springs with its stores of supplies compelled a change of plans and they marched to Memphis, where they remained for the winter. On November 16, 1862 Pierson was promoted to Corporal, but evidently did not retain this rank.

In the spring of 1863 the 10th Iowa was part of the Yazoo Pass Expedition and thence moved to Milliken's Bend. In May 1863 Pierson was at Champion Hill, Mississippi where, according to his pension papers, the conditions subjected him to pleurisy and heart disease. The Union losses in the battle were 410 killed, 1844 wounded and 187 missing. This engagement is viewed as a turning point in the Vicksburg Campaign.

"The Tenth was in the campaign of General Grant which resulted in the capture of Vicksburg and the entire confederate army under General Pemberton. At the battle of Champion Hill, the Tenth bore a conspicuous part in that bloody conflict. The brigade of which it formed a part was thrown in to check the rebel advance when Hovey's division was overwhelmed by superior numbers. The brigade did its work nobly, but at a fearful sacrifice, losing half of its number. The Tenth lost nearly 50 per cent of those engaged. In the assault on Vicksburg, May 22d, the Tenth made two heroic charges."

In September 1863 Pierson was reported "absent left in convalescent camp at Vicksburg." Shortly thereafter he was reassigned as brigade carpenter.

During the Chattanooga Campaign, the 10th Iowa was in several severe battles, always displaying its usual gallantry. In February 1864, the regiment reenlisted as veterans and was in Sherman's campaign through Georgia, fighting bravely in many of the battles.

On October 3, 1864 the regiment moved from Kingston to Cartersville, and thence to Atlanta, in preparation of Sherman's March to the Sea. During the campaign Pierson developed varicose veins and continued his assignment as a carpenter at Division Headquarters.

The story of that great march through Georgia, "from Atlanta to the Sea," has been immortalized in story and song, and has taken its place in history as one of the most remarkable military expeditions ever undertaken. The 10th Iowa Infantry was in the 3rd Division of the 15th Army Corps, and actively participated in the campaign. They were engaged in the reduction of the enemy's works around Savannah, the capture of Fort McAllister, the opening of communications with the Federal fleet in the harbor, and the occupation of Savannah on the 21st of December 1864. The regiment subsequently went into Camp a short distance from the city, where it remained until January 9, 1865. The regiment then crossed the river and entered the state of South Carolina, beginning the long and toilsome march north.

For nearly three months the difficult march was continued, often encountering nearly impassable roads, swamps, swollen streams, almost incessant rains, and frequent skirmishes with the enemy. On March 22nd, after nearly 500 miles, the 15th Corps entered Goldsboro, North Carolina, where it went into camp for a period of rest and recuperation.

Pierson's regiment left Goldsboro on April 7, 1865 and proceeded to Raleigh, North Carolina, where they witnessed the surrender of the rebel army under General Johnston and the removal of the last organized resistance to the Union army in its victorious march to Petersburg and Richmond, and on to Washington, DC.

The regiment participated in the Grand Review in Washington, DC, thence returned to its camp near the city. Pierson was mustered out at Washington, DC on May 28, 1865, with a $75 bounty due from the government. He returned home to continue with his family and life in Carlisle, becoming the father of four more children. Pierson's wife Polly died during childbirth in 1873 and he remarried on September 7, 1875 to Sarah Catherine Armstrong (1851-1928), having an additional five children by his second wife.

Archibald Pierson also had four brothers who served in Iowa regiments during the Civil War, namely: Ephraim Pierson (1816-1864), William Pierson (1822-1881), Joseph Pierson (1823-1886), and Granville Pierson (1828-1908).

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Created 29 Dec 2011; Revised 29 Dec 2011

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