Veterans could not have behaved better than they did up to the moment of reaching the rebel camp.

At this point they became demoralized from their victory and failed to reap its full reward.

The enemy had been followed so closely that when he reached the clear ground on which his camp was pitched he beat a hasty retreat over the river bank, which protected him from our shots and from view.

This precipitate retreat at the last moment enabled the National forces to pick their way without hinderance through the abatis--the only artificial defence the enemy had.

The moment the camp was reached our men laid down their arms and commenced rummaging the tents to pick up trophies.