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