Difficulties in obtaining supplies and inevitable collisions with the authorities caused the band gradually to disperse.

Coxey, after his short term in jail, traveled about the country trying to stir up interest in his aims and to obtain supplies.

The novelty of his movement, however, had worn off, and results were so poor that on the 26th of July he issued a statement saying he could do no more and that what was left of the army would have to shift for itself.

In Maryland, the authorities arrested a number of Coxey's "soldiers" as vagrants.

On the 11th of August, a detachment of Virginia militia drove across the Potomac the remnants of the Kelly and Frye armies, which were then taken in charge by the district authorities.