They were hastily summoned or came together spontaneously.

Alarm, surprise, disappointment, chagrin, swayed their hurried consultation.

The decision was weak, and it was fatal.

It was only carried by a small majority, but in that majority was the great spirit of the confederacy.
Never after did he stand on equal terms with his adversary.

He was driven before him amidst broken hopes, and broken promises--his challenge, a boast unfulfilled, his prestige withered.
What the issue might have been if the decision were different, it would be rash to conjecture.