CHAPTER X.WINCHESTER.
Ashby's troopers put the armed guard of the wagons to flight in an instant, and then they seized the rich pillage in these wagons.

They were not yet used to the stern discipline of regular armies and Ashby strove in vain to bring most of them back to the pursuit of the flying enemy.

Harry also sought to help, but they laughed at him, and he had not yet come to the point where he could cut down a disobedient soldier.
Nor had the soldiers reached the point where they would suffer such treatment from an officer.

Had Harry tried such a thing it is more than likely that he would have been cut down in his turn.
But the delay and similar delays elsewhere helped the retreating Northern army.

Banks, feeling that the pursuit was not now so fierce, sent back a strong force with artillery under a capable officer, Gordon, to help the rear.