The Federal officers rushed from their tents and made off in the darkness; but the soldiers, who were lying on the line of railroad, leaped to their feet and opened a heavy fire on their invisible foes.

Against this the cavalry, broken up in the camp with its tents, its animals, and its piles of baggage, could do little, for it was impossible to form them up in the broken and unknown ground.
The quarters of Pope were soon discovered; he himself had escaped, leaving his coat and hat behind.

Many of his officers were captured, and in his quarters was found a box of official papers, which were invaluable, as among them were copies of his letters asking for re-enforcements, lists giving the strength and position of his troops, and other particulars of the greatest value to the Confederates.

No time was lost, as the firing would set the whole Federal army on the alert, and they might find their retreat cut off.

Therefore, placing the prisoners in the center, and taking the box of papers with them, the cavalry were called off from the camp, and without delay started on their return ride.
They did not take the road by which they had come, but made a long detour, and just as daylight was breaking re-entered the Confederate lines, without having encountered a foe from the time of their leaving Catlet's Station.