He also wasn't convicted of treason. What happened was "he formed a brigade composed of Indian soldiers. Their only serious battle was at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, in 1862 and it was a loss. Worse, reports were circulated that at least one Union soldier had been scalped. This was a terrible black mark against Pike and his brigade, as well as the Confederate cause, and he was eventually forced to hightail it into the Arkansas woods to avoid prosecution."-Secrets of the Widows Son, David A. Shugarts. p. 90