A single picket, sent for a mile up a broad road would have discovered the whole movement in ample time for Howard to have strengthened his position, or to have withdrawn from it without loss.

The blame of this surprise can not, however, fairly be laid upon Hooker.

He had a right to presume that whoever was in command there would have so picketed his lines as to prevent the possibility of being surprised in broad daylight.

But even as it was, the disaster to the Eleventh Corps should have had no serious effect upon the general result.

That was fully remedied when the pursuit was checked.