Dated “Head quarters 29^th Veterans./ January 7^th, 1864.” Addressed to Lieut. John M. Deane (Medal of Honor recipient for bravery at Fort Stedman, VA, 3/25/1865}  2 pp. in pencil on lined paper, 5” x 8. Exhibits fold-marks, else VG.

Ebenezer W. Pierce was a resident of Freetown, MA, a 42 year-old “Gentleman” who was commissioned as Colonel of the 29^th Mass. Infantry, 12/31/1861. Wounded at White Oak Swamp, VA, 8/30/1862, he was discharged for disability, 11/8/ 1864. His regiment served primarily with the 9^th Corps and participated in many of the major battles of the Army of the Potomac, including Antietam, where it served with the Irish Brigade. Also engaged in the West at the Siege of Vicksburg and with Gen. Burnside during the 63 Tullahoma Campaign. During service the 29^th lost 57 killed and mortally wounded and 99 by disease for a total of 156.

The recipient of this letter, Lt. John M. Deane, was a 24 year-old teacher from Freetown, MA, who was initially commissioned into the 3^rd MA Infantry, 4/23/1861, and mustered out 7/22/1861. Encouraged by Colonel Pierce, he accepted a commission into the 29^th MA Infantry, receiving promotions of 1^st Lieut., Captain, and Major (5 /15/ 1865), and was  later awarded  the medal of  for bravery at Ft. Stedman, VA  (3/25/ 1865).

In this letter to Lt. Deane, then at home on leave, Col. Pierce urges the Lt. to “bend all energies and get all the assistance you can from your friends to get all the conscripts you can into your company,” then goes on to explain, while promising him certain promotion to company caption. Excerpts as follow:

“…There will be 2 vacancies of Captain by the time we get to Mass., say about the 1^st of Feb. I can give you the command of one of these companies and can then claim for you the commission of Captain. That will place you high on the list as I do not think more than 2 o0f the present Capts.  will come out again.

Get some of your friends to write some newspaper squibs  in your favor giving the positions you have held the battles you have been in, etc., etc.

You now rank as Regimental Adjutant.

I have written you two or three times of late. The men are very  unanimous in my favor. They will me a good name when  we get home…

P.S. We shall save near 4 hundred men of the old Regt. This is a grand good beginning for a new organization.

If Lt. Deane is not at home will his Mother please get this letter to him as soon as possible..”

Solid letter the blunt spoken Col. Pierce of the 29^th Mass., to later Medal of Honor recipient Lt. John M. Deane. In protective sleeve, accompanied by and research info.   [JP]

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