Who was Jim Pearce?

Capt James Madison "Jim" Pearce

Born 1825 in Princeton, Caldwell County, Kentucky, USA

Died April 6, 1862 at Shiloh, Hardin County, Tennessee, USA

The only known likeness of James M. Pearce was constructed to create the UCV medal featured in our page header. Our Camp has been on the look out for more images of Captain Pearce to preserve for future generations.

According to the KY Adjutant Generals Report for the Mexican War, James M. Pearce enlisted on Oct 3, 1847 as a Private in Company G, Fourth Regiment of Kentucky Infantry to serve for the duration of the war. He was mustered into the service at Smithland, KY on Oct. 4, 1847.

He was mustered out of the service on July 25, 1848, at Louisville, KY. The company was originally organized by Captain James S. Connat of Princeton, KY. in the month of September, 1847, and marched thence to Smithland, where it arrived on October 3, 1847 , a distance of 53 miles. This company was at New Orleans , Pueblo, City of Mexico. Vera Cruz, Jalapa, and Acajeta.

In early 1861, Jim Pearce was elected captain of the the "Beauregards" company of the Kentucky State Guard militia in Caldwell County.

The "Beauregards" became Co. C of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry C.S.A. in July, 1861 when the regiment was organized and mustered into Confederate service at Camp Boone in Montgomery County, Tennessee.

Capt. Pearce was killed in action commanding his company on the first day of the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862. It is likely Captain Pearce is buried with other Confederate dead in mass trenches on the battlefield near the positions of the 3rd KY.

There are five Confederate burial trenches now marked at Shiloh National Military Park. There are as many as six more that have not been found as of yet. In addition, there are many individual graves scattered on the battlefield that are only known to God.

The Jim Pearce Camp No. 527 of the United Confederate Veterans in Caldwell County was named in his honor after the war.

Jim Pearce Camp No. 2527 Sons of Confederate Veterans in Caldwell County is named in his honor.