Confederate Biography :  W. R. PIERCE, Smith County, TX

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Submitted by Susie McFarland Lemin slemin@yahoo.com
23 October 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson, p. 88

W. Riley Pierce was born on the 13th of April, 1839, in the state of
Alabama, and died near Lindale, Texas, March 22, 1905.  Enlisted in 
Company E, 40th Mississippi Infantry at Meridian, Miss., served until 
the battle of Peach Tree Creek, near Atlanta where he lost a leg.  He 
was elected Captain of his company and served faithfully up to the date 
of his being disabled.  He was in the the battles of Iuka, Corinth, 
Chickasaw Bayou, Big Black, seige of Vicksburg with General Joe 
Johnston, Lake Station, Resca, Peach Tree Creek, displaying the 
qualities of an officer and soldier that made him so popular with his 
company.  The 40th Mississippi made a splendid record and Captain 
Pierce shared a part of that glorious record of devotion to the South.  
Capt. Pierce held positions of honor and he was at one time county 
treasurer of Smith county.  On the 5th of January, 1854 the subject 
of this sketch was married to Sadonia Griffith on Kemper county, Miss.,
who survives him and now resides near Lindale.  Captain Pierce has four 
living sons, Calvin, Aquilla, Willie and Johnnie, and two girls, Mollie 
and Alma; all the children residing in the same neighborhood close to 
the widowed mother.  A man of good intelligence, loyal to his country 
and to his friends, Captain Pierce has left behind him a good legacy 
for his children.