Born in Maine in 1820, Abial Richmond Pierce was living in Iowa when the Civil War began. Pierce mustered in as captain, Company M, 4th Iowa Cavalry. Pierce was promoted to major, commanding the 3d Battalion.
When the Federal cavalry charge stalled during the Battle of Mine Creek on October 25, 1864, Major Pierce decided to take matters into his own hands. Major Pierce's 4th Iowa Cavalry was stuck behind the 10th Missouri Cavalry. He decided that he needed to move to his left to get around the "traffic jam." He was successful and ordered the regiment to charge the Confederate right flank. As they charged forward, two companies, A and K, of the 4th Iowa Cavalry had to move further left to avoid a ravine blocking their movement forward. In veering left they were able to flank the Confederate position. The 4th Iowa Cavalry attacked Brig. Gen. John B. Clark Jr's Brigade from the rear and sent the Confederates retreating in disarray. The rest of Lt. Col. Frederick W. Benteen's Brigade followed Pierce's lead and charged the Confederates.
Pierce was recommended for promotion to lieutenant colonel as "one of the most cool and gallant officers in the service, frequently displaying unusual courage and judgment." After the war, Pierce returned to Iowa and was elected as a senator representing Jefferson County in the General Assembly, serving two terms from 1866-1870.
Scott, Roster of Fourth Iowa Cavalry, 14.
Pierce, Abial R. “Report of Operations against Price, in Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas.” In Report of the Adjutant General and Acting Quartermaster General of Iowa: January 11, 1864 to January 1, 1865, 966–69. Des Moines, IA: F. W. Palmer, State Printer, 1865.
Pioneer Lawmakers' Association of Iowa, Proceedings of the Reunion of 1894, 97.
OR s1 v49 p1, 488.