Born in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. A resident of Taunton, Massachusetts when he enlisted in the 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery at Taunton, Massachusetts. Mustered in as 1st Lieutenant of Company H at Winter Island near Salem, Massachusetts. Stationed at Fort Pickering, Salem, Massachusetts. Left in command of Fort Pickering on 29 Apr 1864. On 27 May 1864, per orders, turned over command of Fort Pickering and departed for Washington, DC. On 29 Sep 1864 in a hospital near Fort Wagner, Washington, DC with typhoid malaria fever and dropsy. On 8 Oct 1864 was granted 30 days leave of absence. Mustered out on 14 Dec 1864 at Washington, DC for promotion. Mustered in on 15 Dec 1864 as Captain and assumed command of Company H. Company H mustered out at Washington, DC. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. Died at his home in Tacoma, Washington. He is buried in a G.A.R. section of the cemetery. His military records spell his last name as both "Peirce" and "Pierce". His pension records, death certificate, and funeral home records spell his last name as "Peirce".