Commander of the Union Army at the Battle of Big Bethel.
Referred to in some records as General, others as Colonel.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) post established in Middleboro was named in his honor - E. W. Peirce Post 8.
See also the entry for his horse, sometimes called Midnight.
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From the book A History of the Town of Freetown (1902):
Ebenezer W. Peirce, son of Ebenezer and Joanna (Weaver) Peirce, was born April 10, 1822, and was educated in Freetown schools and Andover Academy. He inherited a fine property, largely real estate, and engaged in sheep raising.
He enlisted in the 4th Artillery, M.V.M. in 1843. He was elected Major of the same August 31, 1844, and Lieut.-Colonel September 5, 1846. He enlisted in Company G, 3d Regt. M.V.M. June 8, 1850. He became Captain of the same June 29, 1850; Major of 3d Regt. August 3, 1851; Lieut.-Col. April 2, 1852. He was commissioned Brig.-General 2d Brigade, 1st Div. M.V.M. November 7, 1855.
He responded to Lincoln's call April 15, 1861 and served three months. He commanded the Union troops at the battle of Big Bethel Va. - the first battle of the war - June 10, 1861. He was commissioned Colonel of the 29th Regt. Mass. Vols. December 13, 1861, and stationed at Newport News, Va. In May 1862 Col. Peirce with his regiment took part in the expedition to Norfolk and Suffolk, Va. He joined the Army of the Potomac in June, 1862 at White House Landing and was attached to Meagher's Irish Brigade, Richardson's Div., Sumner's Corps.
June 30, 1862, in the seven days retreat across the Peninsular, while resting at Nelson's Farm near White Oak Swamp, the enemy suddenly opened upon the Division with artillery. Several hundred mules that had been unhitched from the supply train, to water, stampeded and threw the troops into confusion. Before order was restored several of the 29th Regiment were killed and wounded, including Col. Peirce, who lost his right arm at the shoulder. He went to Massachusetts to recover, and again joined his regiment at Harper's Ferry, Va., October 8, 1862.
On November 19, 1862, he was detailed for recruiting service in Massachusetts. He rejoined the regiment March 21, 1863, in Newport News, Va., and accompanied it to Paris, Ky. He was on detached duty - commanding post at Paris - and on recruiting service in Massachusetts from April 26 to August 29, 1863, when he again joined the regiment, going with it to East Tennessee, where he remained until March 1864. Then the regiment re-enlisted for three years and all were granted a thirty days' furlough. On May 16, 1864, Col. Peirce with his regiment left Boston, Mass., and joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor, Va., May 29, 1864. On July 23, 1864, he obtained leave of absence and returned to Massachusetts, where he remained on sick leave until October 24, 1864, when he rejoined his regiment at Petersburg, Va. He resigned his commission as colonel November 8, 1864, and returned home.
After the war, he was appointed Revenue Collector but not confirmed. He also travelled West and South speculating in real estate unsuccessfully. Returning to Assonet he passed the remainder of his days in no especial business. He served one term on the board of selectmen of Freetown. Col. Peirce married Irene I. Payne of Freetown, and they had one son, Palo Alto Peirce, born January 22, 1853. On May 1, 1875, Mrs. Peirce obtained a divorce from Col. Peirce. On April 5, 1892, he married Ida E. Gardner. He died August 14, 1902.
**********************************
In addition, Ebenezer & Irene had a son, Pembroke Peirce, who was born May 29, 1851, in Middleborough, and died the same day.
Referred to in some records as General, others as Colonel.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) post established in Middleboro was named in his honor - E. W. Peirce Post 8.
See also the entry for his horse, sometimes called Midnight.
**********************************
From the book A History of the Town of Freetown (1902):
Ebenezer W. Peirce, son of Ebenezer and Joanna (Weaver) Peirce, was born April 10, 1822, and was educated in Freetown schools and Andover Academy. He inherited a fine property, largely real estate, and engaged in sheep raising.
He enlisted in the 4th Artillery, M.V.M. in 1843. He was elected Major of the same August 31, 1844, and Lieut.-Colonel September 5, 1846. He enlisted in Company G, 3d Regt. M.V.M. June 8, 1850. He became Captain of the same June 29, 1850; Major of 3d Regt. August 3, 1851; Lieut.-Col. April 2, 1852. He was commissioned Brig.-General 2d Brigade, 1st Div. M.V.M. November 7, 1855.
He responded to Lincoln's call April 15, 1861 and served three months. He commanded the Union troops at the battle of Big Bethel Va. - the first battle of the war - June 10, 1861. He was commissioned Colonel of the 29th Regt. Mass. Vols. December 13, 1861, and stationed at Newport News, Va. In May 1862 Col. Peirce with his regiment took part in the expedition to Norfolk and Suffolk, Va. He joined the Army of the Potomac in June, 1862 at White House Landing and was attached to Meagher's Irish Brigade, Richardson's Div., Sumner's Corps.
June 30, 1862, in the seven days retreat across the Peninsular, while resting at Nelson's Farm near White Oak Swamp, the enemy suddenly opened upon the Division with artillery. Several hundred mules that had been unhitched from the supply train, to water, stampeded and threw the troops into confusion. Before order was restored several of the 29th Regiment were killed and wounded, including Col. Peirce, who lost his right arm at the shoulder. He went to Massachusetts to recover, and again joined his regiment at Harper's Ferry, Va., October 8, 1862.
On November 19, 1862, he was detailed for recruiting service in Massachusetts. He rejoined the regiment March 21, 1863, in Newport News, Va., and accompanied it to Paris, Ky. He was on detached duty - commanding post at Paris - and on recruiting service in Massachusetts from April 26 to August 29, 1863, when he again joined the regiment, going with it to East Tennessee, where he remained until March 1864. Then the regiment re-enlisted for three years and all were granted a thirty days' furlough. On May 16, 1864, Col. Peirce with his regiment left Boston, Mass., and joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor, Va., May 29, 1864. On July 23, 1864, he obtained leave of absence and returned to Massachusetts, where he remained on sick leave until October 24, 1864, when he rejoined his regiment at Petersburg, Va. He resigned his commission as colonel November 8, 1864, and returned home.
After the war, he was appointed Revenue Collector but not confirmed. He also travelled West and South speculating in real estate unsuccessfully. Returning to Assonet he passed the remainder of his days in no especial business. He served one term on the board of selectmen of Freetown. Col. Peirce married Irene I. Payne of Freetown, and they had one son, Palo Alto Peirce, born January 22, 1853. On May 1, 1875, Mrs. Peirce obtained a divorce from Col. Peirce. On April 5, 1892, he married Ida E. Gardner. He died August 14, 1902.
**********************************
In addition, Ebenezer & Irene had a son, Pembroke Peirce, who was born May 29, 1851, in Middleborough, and died the same day.
Commander of the Union Army at the Battle of Big Bethel.
Referred to in some records as General, others as Colonel.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) post established in Middleboro was named in his honor - E. W. Peirce Post 8.
See also the entry for his horse, sometimes called Midnight.
**********************************
From the book A History of the Town of Freetown (1902):
Ebenezer W. Peirce, son of Ebenezer and Joanna (Weaver) Peirce, was born April 10, 1822, and was educated in Freetown schools and Andover Academy. He inherited a fine property, largely real estate, and engaged in sheep raising.
He enlisted in the 4th Artillery, M.V.M. in 1843. He was elected Major of the same August 31, 1844, and Lieut.-Colonel September 5, 1846. He enlisted in Company G, 3d Regt. M.V.M. June 8, 1850. He became Captain of the same June 29, 1850; Major of 3d Regt. August 3, 1851; Lieut.-Col. April 2, 1852. He was commissioned Brig.-General 2d Brigade, 1st Div. M.V.M. November 7, 1855.
He responded to Lincoln's call April 15, 1861 and served three months. He commanded the Union troops at the battle of Big Bethel Va. - the first battle of the war - June 10, 1861. He was commissioned Colonel of the 29th Regt. Mass. Vols. December 13, 1861, and stationed at Newport News, Va. In May 1862 Col. Peirce with his regiment took part in the expedition to Norfolk and Suffolk, Va. He joined the Army of the Potomac in June, 1862 at White House Landing and was attached to Meagher's Irish Brigade, Richardson's Div., Sumner's Corps.
June 30, 1862, in the seven days retreat across the Peninsular, while resting at Nelson's Farm near White Oak Swamp, the enemy suddenly opened upon the Division with artillery. Several hundred mules that had been unhitched from the supply train, to water, stampeded and threw the troops into confusion. Before order was restored several of the 29th Regiment were killed and wounded, including Col. Peirce, who lost his right arm at the shoulder. He went to Massachusetts to recover, and again joined his regiment at Harper's Ferry, Va., October 8, 1862.
On November 19, 1862, he was detailed for recruiting service in Massachusetts. He rejoined the regiment March 21, 1863, in Newport News, Va., and accompanied it to Paris, Ky. He was on detached duty - commanding post at Paris - and on recruiting service in Massachusetts from April 26 to August 29, 1863, when he again joined the regiment, going with it to East Tennessee, where he remained until March 1864. Then the regiment re-enlisted for three years and all were granted a thirty days' furlough. On May 16, 1864, Col. Peirce with his regiment left Boston, Mass., and joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor, Va., May 29, 1864. On July 23, 1864, he obtained leave of absence and returned to Massachusetts, where he remained on sick leave until October 24, 1864, when he rejoined his regiment at Petersburg, Va. He resigned his commission as colonel November 8, 1864, and returned home.
After the war, he was appointed Revenue Collector but not confirmed. He also travelled West and South speculating in real estate unsuccessfully. Returning to Assonet he passed the remainder of his days in no especial business. He served one term on the board of selectmen of Freetown. Col. Peirce married Irene I. Payne of Freetown, and they had one son, Palo Alto Peirce, born January 22, 1853. On May 1, 1875, Mrs. Peirce obtained a divorce from Col. Peirce. On April 5, 1892, he married Ida E. Gardner. He died August 14, 1902.
**********************************
In addition, Ebenezer & Irene had a son, Pembroke Peirce, who was born May 29, 1851, in Middleborough, and died the same day.
Referred to in some records as General, others as Colonel.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) post established in Middleboro was named in his honor - E. W. Peirce Post 8.
See also the entry for his horse, sometimes called Midnight.
**********************************
From the book A History of the Town of Freetown (1902):
Ebenezer W. Peirce, son of Ebenezer and Joanna (Weaver) Peirce, was born April 10, 1822, and was educated in Freetown schools and Andover Academy. He inherited a fine property, largely real estate, and engaged in sheep raising.
He enlisted in the 4th Artillery, M.V.M. in 1843. He was elected Major of the same August 31, 1844, and Lieut.-Colonel September 5, 1846. He enlisted in Company G, 3d Regt. M.V.M. June 8, 1850. He became Captain of the same June 29, 1850; Major of 3d Regt. August 3, 1851; Lieut.-Col. April 2, 1852. He was commissioned Brig.-General 2d Brigade, 1st Div. M.V.M. November 7, 1855.
He responded to Lincoln's call April 15, 1861 and served three months. He commanded the Union troops at the battle of Big Bethel Va. - the first battle of the war - June 10, 1861. He was commissioned Colonel of the 29th Regt. Mass. Vols. December 13, 1861, and stationed at Newport News, Va. In May 1862 Col. Peirce with his regiment took part in the expedition to Norfolk and Suffolk, Va. He joined the Army of the Potomac in June, 1862 at White House Landing and was attached to Meagher's Irish Brigade, Richardson's Div., Sumner's Corps.
June 30, 1862, in the seven days retreat across the Peninsular, while resting at Nelson's Farm near White Oak Swamp, the enemy suddenly opened upon the Division with artillery. Several hundred mules that had been unhitched from the supply train, to water, stampeded and threw the troops into confusion. Before order was restored several of the 29th Regiment were killed and wounded, including Col. Peirce, who lost his right arm at the shoulder. He went to Massachusetts to recover, and again joined his regiment at Harper's Ferry, Va., October 8, 1862.
On November 19, 1862, he was detailed for recruiting service in Massachusetts. He rejoined the regiment March 21, 1863, in Newport News, Va., and accompanied it to Paris, Ky. He was on detached duty - commanding post at Paris - and on recruiting service in Massachusetts from April 26 to August 29, 1863, when he again joined the regiment, going with it to East Tennessee, where he remained until March 1864. Then the regiment re-enlisted for three years and all were granted a thirty days' furlough. On May 16, 1864, Col. Peirce with his regiment left Boston, Mass., and joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor, Va., May 29, 1864. On July 23, 1864, he obtained leave of absence and returned to Massachusetts, where he remained on sick leave until October 24, 1864, when he rejoined his regiment at Petersburg, Va. He resigned his commission as colonel November 8, 1864, and returned home.
After the war, he was appointed Revenue Collector but not confirmed. He also travelled West and South speculating in real estate unsuccessfully. Returning to Assonet he passed the remainder of his days in no especial business. He served one term on the board of selectmen of Freetown. Col. Peirce married Irene I. Payne of Freetown, and they had one son, Palo Alto Peirce, born January 22, 1853. On May 1, 1875, Mrs. Peirce obtained a divorce from Col. Peirce. On April 5, 1892, he married Ida E. Gardner. He died August 14, 1902.
**********************************
In addition, Ebenezer & Irene had a son, Pembroke Peirce, who was born May 29, 1851, in Middleborough, and died the same day.
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