Short as their stay in camp had been, few of the men had returned empty-handed.

The Northern army was supplied with an abundance of excellent food of all descriptions, forming the strongest possible contrast to the insufficient rations upon which the Confederate troops existed, and the troopers had helped themselves to whatever they could lay hands upon in the darkness and confusion.
Some rode in with a ham slung on each side of their saddle, others had secured a bottle or two of wine or spirits.

Some had been fortunate enough to lay hand on some tins of coffee or a canister of tea, luxuries which for months had been unknown to them save when they were captured from the enemy.

The only article captured of no possible utility was General Pope's coat, which was sent to Richmond, where it was hung up for public inspection; a wag sticking up a paper beside it, "This is the coat in which General Pope was going to ride in triumph into Richmond.
The coat is here, but the general has not yet arrived." The Confederates had lost but two or three men from the fire of the Federal infantry, and they were in high spirits at the success of their raid.

No sooner had General Lee informed himself of the contents of the papers and the position of the enemy's forces than he determined to strike a heavy blow at him; and General Jackson, who had been sharply engaged with the enemy near Warrenton, was ordered to make a long detour, to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains through Thoroughfare Gap, to fall upon Pope's rear and cut his communications with Washington, and, if possible, to destroy the vast depot of stores collected at Manassas.
The cavalry, under Stuart, were to accompany him.