Significance of Battle of Pea Ridge

January and early Febmary, 1862 was a busy period for Brigadier
General Samuel R. Curtis, recently appointed commander of the Army
of the Southwest. At both the Rolla railhead and the advance base at
Lebanon, Missouri, the Union build up was rushed. As soon as he had
completed preparations, Curtis planned to employ his army to drive
the pro-Secessionist forces out of southwestern Missouri.
On February 10, Curtis led his army out of Lebanon. Forging rapidly
ahead, the Federals closed in on Springfield. The Northerners entered
Springfield on the morning of the 13th, only to find that Major General
Sterling Price's Missourians had evacuated the principal city of the
Ozarks. After pausing less than one day, Curtis pressed on after the
retreating Rebels. Unable to group his troops for a stand in Missouri,
Price retired into northwestern Arkansas. Soon after crossing the border.
Price's troops rendezvoused with Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch's
command. Unable to agree on a joint plan of action the two Gonfederate
leaders and their troops retired into the fastnesses of the rugged Boston
Mountains.