Captain Pearson accompanied his regiment, now part of General William Mahone's division, to the Weldon Railroad on August 21, 1864. It was here that Federal troops captured a vital supply line to the Deep South. General Mahone ordered an assault to repel the Federal troops. Captain Pearson became mortally wounded in the Battle for the Weldon Railroad west of Globe Tavern and was sent to the Brigade Hospital. He had been struck in the chest with bits of shrapnel while leading a charge across the cornfield. While in the hospital he drafted a letter of resignation dated August 24, 1864.