3rd Michigan Infantry - Wounded at Gettysburg

Item CDV-10847

Description

Byron Root Pierce (September 20, 1829 – July 10, 1924) was an American dentist who served as a Union Army general in the American Civil War. He was noted for fighting at First Manassas and during the Peninsula and Seven Days Campaigns. Pierce participated in all of the major battles in the East.
 
When the American Civil War began Pierce was captain of a militia company, the Valley City Lights Guard, before entering Federal service in June 1861 and was appointed captain.  He then served as a company commander in the 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment at the Battle of First Manassas. Pierce continued to serve as part of the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsula and Seven Days campaigns, rising the ranks. He also saw action at Groveton, Chantilly and Fredericksburg, commanding the regiment in the latter. Afterwards he was promoted to Colonel and then fought at Chancellorsville, where he was wounded and received a commendation for his command.
 
Pierce's regiment also fought Confederate forces, led by Joseph B. Kershaw, in the defense of the Peach Orchard during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. There he was wounded and his brother, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Pierce, took over. Some sources said that one of his legs had to be amputated. However, this was rather a wound that didn't require amputation but instead was a wound addressed by the regimental surgeon that didn't require hospitalization. He was back in action commanded the 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment in the Battle of the Wilderness, the first battle of the Overland Campaign. He also took part in the Bristoe and Mine Run campaigns, among other operations conducted in Virginia. During the final years of the war, he commanded various brigades in the II Corps. He was promoted to brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers on June 7, 1864. After the Battle of Sailor's Creek, on April 6, 1865, he was brevetted to major general.
 
Overall, Pierce was wounded five times during the war and was present in all of the major battles in the East from First Bull Run to Appomattox. 
 
He was Michigan's last living Civil War general.
 
Source:  Wikipedia