But under similar circumstances any other officer might have done likewise, and to his credit it may be recorded that he did his best afterwards to retrieve the consequences of his error, and by personal courage on the field endeavored to stop the retreat.

He had no staff to assist him, and was the only mounted officer on the Canadian side, so that he was at a disadvantage.

Moreover, he had never previously manoeuvred a brigade, even on parade, and to handle one in battle was a trying ordeal to an inexperienced officer who had never before been under fire.
It was a most disastrous occurrence, for in another ten minutes of fighting Gen.

O'Neill's forces would have been defeated and in full retreat.

In fact, O'Neil Himself afterwards admitted this, and stated that if the Canadians had fought five minutes longer his forces would have given way, as they were fast becoming demoralized and were making preparations for flight.