Byron Root Pierce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Byron Root Pierce
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| Born | September 20, 1829 East Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York, United States |
| Died | July 10, 1924 (aged 94) |
| Buried |
Fulton Street Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Byron Root Pierce (born September 20, 1829 – died July 10, 1924) was an American dentist who became a brave general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was known for his courage in many important battles. These included the First Battle of Manassas, the Peninsula Campaign, and the Seven Days Battles. General Pierce fought in almost every major battle in the eastern part of the war.
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Who Was Byron Root Pierce?
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Byron Root Pierce was born on September 20, 1829. His hometown was East Bloomfield, New York. His parents were Silas and Mary Pierce. His grandfather, Thaddeus Root, was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War.
Pierce went to school at an academy in Rochester. He then helped his father with his milling business. Later, he earned a degree to become a dentist. In 1856, he moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. There, he started his own dental practice.
Pierce Joins the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Byron Pierce was ready to serve. He was already the captain of a local volunteer group. This group was called the Valley City Lights Guard. In June 1861, he joined the Union Army.
He became a company commander in the 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment. His first big fight was at the Battle of First Manassas. Pierce continued to serve with the Army of the Potomac. This was the main Union army in the East.
Fighting in Major Campaigns
General Pierce fought in many tough battles. These included the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles. He kept rising through the ranks. He also saw action at Groveton and Chantilly. At the Battle of Fredericksburg, he commanded his regiment.
After these battles, he was promoted to Colonel. He then fought at the Battle of Chancellorsville. During this battle, he was wounded. He received special praise for his leadership.
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Pierce's regiment also bravely fought Confederate soldiers. This happened during the Battle of Gettysburg. On the second day of the battle, they defended an area called the Peach Orchard. Here, Pierce was wounded again. His brother, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Pierce, took over command. One of Pierce's legs had to be amputated because of his injuries.
Despite his severe wounds, he returned to the battlefield. He served during the Overland Campaign. He also took part in the Bristoe and Mine Run campaigns. These were other important operations in Virginia.
A General's Rise
In the final years of the war, Pierce commanded different brigades. A brigade is a large group of soldiers. These brigades were part of the II Corps. On June 7, 1864, he was promoted to brigadier general. This was a very high rank.
After the Battle of Sailor's Creek on April 6, 1865, he received another honor. He was made a brevet major general. A brevet rank is a temporary higher rank given for bravery.
After the War
Byron Pierce was wounded five times during the Civil War. He was present in all the major battles in the East. These ranged from the First Bull Run to the Appomattox Campaign.
After the war, he stayed active in veteran groups. He was the commander of the Department of Michigan for the Grand Army of the Republic. This was a large organization for Union Army veterans. He was the last living Civil War general from Michigan. Byron Pierce passed away in 1924. He was buried in Fulton Street Cemetery in Michigan.
