He was promoted to Captain in the 1st Artillery on 1 October 1813, Brevet Major in June 1823, Major in the 1st Artillery on 11 June 1836, and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in October 1836 (to rank from 21 August 1836).
He was promoted to Captain in the 1st Artillery on 1 October 1813. Pierce was promoted to permanent Major in the 1st Artillery on 11 June 1836, and to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in October 1836 (to rank from 21 August 1836).