In March 1861, Price served as the president of the Missouri state convention until he chose to support secession and resigned from his position to accept the command of the Missouri militia. He won his first victory at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri. Later, Price captured the town of Lexington before he was forced to retreat into Arkansas. He participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge. Although the Confederates were defeated, Price received a Confederate commission as a major general in March 1862. In October 1862, he failed in his campaign against Iuka and Corinth. In the following year, Price failed at the Battle of Helena, Arkansas. In late 1864, he led a raid into Missouri, however, he was forced to turn back at Westport. At the end of the war, Price fled to Mexico.
