Civil War Union Army Officer. An officer in the Gloucester County, New Jersey Militia, he offered his services in the spring of 1862, and was detailed to help recruit men for the newly-authorized 12th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant of that regiment's Company F (the only Company solely from Gloucester County) on August 19, 1862. He served with the regiment in it's training, drill and in occupation duty in Virginia. In the May 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville, the 12th New Jersey was detailed on May 3, along with the rest of it's division, to protect the artillery of the Army of the Potomac's II Corps from Confederate attack. While fighting off the Rebels, Company F's commander, Captain Edward Stratton, went down injured, and Company F started to crumple under the weight of the Confederate attackers. Lieutenant Pierson jumped up to rally his men, and was instantly killed by a shot in the forehead.
Civil War Union Army Officer. An officer in the Gloucester County, New Jersey Militia, he offered his services in the spring of 1862, and was detailed to help recruit men for the newly-authorized 12th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant of that regiment's Company F (the only Company solely from Gloucester County) on August 19, 1862. He served with the regiment in it's training, drill and in occupation duty in Virginia. In the May 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville, the 12th New Jersey was detailed on May 3, along with the rest of it's division, to protect the artillery of the Army of the Potomac's II Corps from Confederate attack. While fighting off the Rebels, Company F's commander, Captain Edward Stratton, went down injured, and Company F started to crumple under the weight of the Confederate attackers. Lieutenant Pierson jumped up to rally his men, and was instantly killed by a shot in the forehead.
