The Federal artillery was too powerful to permit the employment of large bodies of cavalry, and although from time to time charges were made when an opportunity seemed to offer itself, the battle was fought out by the infantry and artillery.

When the end came Jackson's command was for a time _hors de combat_.

During the long two-days' march they had at least gathered corn and apples to sustain life; but during these three-days' fighting they had had no food whatever, and many were so weak that they could no longer march.
They had done all that was possible for men to do; had for two days withstood the attack of an enemy of five times their numbers, and had, on the final day, borne their full share in the great struggle, but now the greater part could do no more, thousands of men were unable to drag themselves a step further, and Lee's army was reduced in strength for the time by nearly 20,000 men.

All these afterward rejoined it; some, as soon as they recovered, limped away to take their places in the ranks again, others made their way to the depot at Warrenton, where Lee had ordered that all unable to accompany his force should rendezvous until he returned and they were able to rejoin their regiments.
Jackson marched away and laid siege to Harper's Ferry, an important depot garrisoned by 11,000 men, who were forced to surrender just as McClellan with a fresh army, 100,000 strong, which was pressing forward to its succor, arrived within a day's march.

As soon as Jackson had taken the place he hurried away with his troops to join Lee, who was facing the enemy at the Antietam River.