Joseph Finnegan ordered reinforcements from General P.G.T. Beauregard. General Alfred Colquitt and his Georgia Regulars arrived to repel the advancing Union Army at Ocean Pond initiating the Battle of Olustee. Captain Pearson's Oklawaha Rangers, now part of the Sixth Florida Battalion, was on the extreme right flank causing severe damage to the United States Colored Troops. After the Confederate States of America victory at the Battle of Olustee Captain Pearson's company patrolled North Florida and settled in Orange Springs. On April 28, 1864, the ten companies of the Sixth Florida Battalion were reorganized into the Ninth Florida Infantry Regiment where Pearson commanded Company B. Virginia and death On May 18, 1864, the Ninth Florida Regiment under Pearson was ordered on a nine-day trip to Virginia where they joined General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Hanover Junction. Captain Pearson saw the most intense fighting yet in the civil war on June 3, 1864, at the Battle of Cold Harbor. The Ninth Florida was in reserve behind General John C. Breckinridge's troops. Breckenridge's line was eventually broken causing the Ninth Florida to fill in the breach and repel the Federal forces. Many Floridians fell and Pearson's second in command, Lieutenant R.D. Harrison and Lieutenant Francis McMeekin were both wounded. After the Battle of Cold Harbor Captain Pearson was sent to the hospital due to either a wound or dysentery. Pearson recovered and returned to his company. Captain Pearson accompanied his regiment, now part of General William Mahone's division, to the Weldon Railroad on August 21, 1864. It was here that Federal troops captured a vital supply line to the Deep South. General Mahone ordered an assault to repel the Federal troops. Captain Pearson became mortally wounded in the Battle for the Weldon Railroad west of Globe Tavern and was sent to the Brigade Hospital. He had been struck in the chest with bits of shrapnel while leading a charge across the cornfield. While in the hospital he drafted a letter of resignation dated August 24, 1864. His letter of resignation was accepted on September 2 and his commission resigned. He was given leave and immediately journeyed home to Orange Springs, Florida. Along the way he was forced to stop in Augusta, Georgia because of his wounds. Captain Pearson could not make it home to Orange Springs, Florida and died in Augusta on September 30, 1864. He was buried in