It's complicated. I have long had an interest in the Arkansas State Troops of 1861 -- mostly because at the time I began researching, little was known about them, and it piqued my curiosity. The circumstances surrounding the dissolution of the First Division, commanded by Pearce, was (and to some extent remains) an obscure episode. I have found bits and pieces, hints and innuendos. I think it would be best if I work up a narrative of what I know (and what I think I know) about the disbanding of the First Division, and post it on the board. It'll take some time to put it together. In the meantime, I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who may know more about the incident than I do.

One of the things I do know is that, rightly or wrongly, Pearce was unofficially blamed for the dissolution of his division. That is why he never received another field command, and was relegated to a minor staff position in the Indian Territory. The letter you cited was designed to address the gossip and rumors surrounding his actions in dismissing the regiments under his command. The letter is, shall we say, disingenuous at best. More about that later.