John W. Pierce was born on July 20 of 1804. At the time of his birth, his parents were living in Georgia. When John was about ten, the family moved to Mississippi Territory shortly before the War of 1812 ended. John's father was Randall Huckaby Pierce. His mother was Nancy Whatley.
It was likely at this time when John became acquainted with the Choctaw's reputation as fierce and competent warriors. The Battle of New Orleans likely made a strong impression on the young John.
John became a planter and also owned cattle.
In 1831, John married Malinda Lovin Whatley. They had eighteen children. Several of his children participated in the War.
By 1860, John had at least 227 acres of land in Copiah County, Mississippi. The 1860 census indicates an estate of $20,000. He owned 14 slaves 9 men and 5 women.

In the fall of 1862, John began recruiting for his 1st Choctaw Battalion. The battalion was endorsed on February 17 of 1863 by President Jefferson Davis. By March of 1863, they had mustered two companies of 101 men. They were ordered to Ponchatoula, Louisiana to reinforce Colonel Horace H. Miller's war battered command. The newspapers gave the 1st Choctaw Battalion (only known as Indian troops in the papers) credit for pushing back the "Yankees."
After the Battle of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, many deserted the ranks after non-payment for their service. Brigadier General John Adams considered the battalion "worthless" and "a useless expense to the Government."
John's battalion was disbanded on May 9, 1863. Thirteen days later John wrote Secretary of War James A. Seddon. John expressed his concern relating to S. G. Spann's new authority to raise Choctaw Indians for service in the War.
In 1864, John was commissioned a captain in Cooper's 3rd Battalion Mississippi State Cavalry.
After the War, the federals confiscated from John 87 bales of cotton. John estimated that he loss about $20,000.
John died on May 6 of 1887. He was buried a few miles east of Crystal Springs, Mississippi.
Sources:1860 U.S. Census; National Archives, Service Record, RG 109; Pierce family records.

Biographer: ROBERT BRUCE FERGUSON, 2017.
Contributor: John W. Grimm (47396795) • [email protected]

Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935
Name: John W. Pierce
Spouse: Balinda Loven
Marriage Date: 7 Aug 1831
County: Lawrence

CENSUS: 1850 United States Federal Census
Name: John W Pearce
Age: 46
Birth Year: abt 1804
Birthplace: Georgia
Home in 1850: Gallatin, Copiah, Mississippi
Gender: Male
Family Number: 170
Household Members: Name Age
John W Pearce 46
Malinda Pearce 36
James W Pearce 18
Nancy Pearce 16
Appleton Pearce 15
Mary Pearce 13
Elizabeth Pearce 11
Lucy Pearce 10
Thomas J Pearce 8
Maria Louisa Pearce 5
John C Calhoun Pearce 3
Randall N Pearce 0

CENSUS: 1860 United States Federal Census Record
Name: J W Pierce
Age in 1860: 55
Birth Year: abt 1805
Birthplace: Georgia
Home in 1860: Not Stated, Copiah, Mississippi
Gender: Male
Value of real estate:
Household Members: Name Age
J W Pierce 55
Melinda Pierce 48
Elizabeth Pierce 20
Thomas Pierce 17
Louisa Pierce 15
John Pierce 9
Brown Pierce 8
Ellen Pierce 2