Letter from David Ash, Company B, 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, three days after the Battle of Pea Ridge.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Letter from David Ash, Company B, 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, three days after the Battle of Pea Ridge.
Demoralized Federal troops begin a long retreat out of southwestern Missouri after their defeat at Wilson’s Creek.
Federals not only suffer a second major defeat within a month, but they lose an army commander as well.
Opposing forces inadvertently advance upon each other in southwestern Missouri, setting the stage for a battle.
Secessionists defeat a Federal detachment in a minor clash as both sides scramble to link with their main forces in southwestern Missouri.
Federal forces advance in northern Missouri and win a minor victory at Boonville. But the secessionists are not done fighting yet.