The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-07-26

began in 1861, at the breaking out of the
War of the Rebellion In May of that year
he was Sergeant in the 4th Connecticut In
rious grades until he reached the rank of
Captain in February, 1863 In May, 1865
he was prompted to the rank of Major in
the LIST Connecticut Artillery. As an officer
Pierce was brave almost to temerty On
one occasion during the seige of Petersburg
he was in command of a water-battery on
James river when it was assaulted by fleet
of rebel rams-three or four in number
With desperate courage and unflinching te-
nacty he held his position until he stood
almost alone amid the actual wreck of his
fort, and at last the enemy in sheer despair
were compelled to withdraw, leaving the
young captain master Of the field. Such
gallantry did not 60 unrewarded. He was
thanked in orders, and preserved with laud-
IDLE pride to the hour Of his death the testi.
monials of his superior officers to his worth
and bravery, and had the honor of receiving
for his gallantry at the hands of his gov.
ernment the "brevet Of Major for conspicu-
Gus gallantry," language seldom found in
commission. He also received two other
brevets for gallantry on other fields. At
the conclusion of the war Major Pierce re-
turned to Connecticut, studied law and was
admitted to the bar. But the spirit of the
soldier was stronger than the love of Black
stone and Chitty, and in 1867 the Major was
commissioned lieutenant in the army of
the United States. His scholarship and
general intelligence made him desirable
officer for detail in colleges as Professor of
Military Science. and be had the honor of
serving three such details in as many states.
Pierce bore his full share of the hardships
of his regiment in frontier service. He
commanded a company in the memorable
Nee Perez campaign in 1877, and made the
famous march from Vancouver to the Mis-
souri, river. He was adjutant of the 2lst
Infantry for several years, which office he
resigned to accept the position of Professor
of Military Science in the Pacific Univer.
sity. His faithful performance of the du.
ties of this trying place was acknowledged
by his regimental commander in q most
complimentary order. While adjutant he
was selected by Gen. Nelson A. Miles, De.
partment Commander, to command scien.
tific exploring party in the Cascade mount
aims His report of this exploration was
deemed so important that it was printed by
order Of the War Department.
This is an imperfect sketch Of an honora-
BILE and useful life. To the dash and gallantry
of the soldier. Major Pierce united the re.
tinement and elegance of the scholar and
man of tase. In his death the Army has
lost brave and accomplished officer, and
literature one of its ornaments and pillars.
Posterity will be glad to know some.
thing OF the inner life Of this soldier scholar
who found leisure and had the genius and
industry in the intervals of his military du-
ties to enrich the literature of his country
with many original compositions, and make
TRANSACTIONS OF the two most eminent OF
Latin writer's. He was modest, quiet, and
unobtrusive in his intercourse with men,
seeking seclusion rather than public noto-
riety, and he wore his learning as q man
who is accustomed to it wears a garment.
II he sometimes gave offense by manner
made irritable BY great bodily suffering. he
was prompt in Offering the most ample atone.
ment. He was warm in his friendships and
placable in his animosities; and was one of
the most affectionate of husbands and in.
dulgent of parents, He was firm believer
in the truth of the Christian religion, and
died in the hope of the fulfillment of all its
promises. II Pierce could have selected the
manner and place of his death he would
have chosen to die the death of a soldier, at
the post of danger and duty, surrounded by
men wearing the uniform, to whom he was
always kind and considerable. and under the
flag for which he had bravely fought, and
for which he had reverence second only to
his reverence for God. He did die at the
post of duty. He was under orders to con-
duct second scientific expedition through
the mountains which lie between the Co.
lumbia river and British America. The
state of his health was such that he was adj.
vised not to undertake work so full of toll
and exposure, but he was accustomed to
obeying orders, and so he went forth like
one devoted to sacrifice. and his life went
out before he fairly reached the threshold OF
his labors. He died as heroic a death as
though he had fallen in the water battery
on James river amid the thunder and splen-
deur of battle.
HENRY A. MORROW,
Col. 2lst Infantry.
Vancouver Barracks w r