When he heard it, the general declared: "It vexes my heart for to think that while I am hunting wolves, tigers and foxes, which daily destroy our harmless sheep and lambs, I and those with me should be pursued with a full cry, as a more savage or no less ravenous beast." Bacon began his march back to the lower waters.

On the way, they captured a spy sent by Berkeley to their camp and hung him.

Bacon went to the Middle Plantation, afterward Williamsburg, and camped.
Berkeley, hearing of the return of Bacon's army, which was not disbanded, hastened to Accomac for recruits, and Drummond urged Bacon to depose Berkeley, and appoint Sir Henry Chicheley in his place.

When the leader of the rebellion murmured against this, the Scotchman answered: "Do not make so strange of it, for I can show you ancient records that such things have been done in Virginia." This, however, was carrying matters too far, even for Bacon.

He remembered that Governor Harvey, who had been deposed in a similar manner, was reinstated by the king.