Nearly two thousand men, wounded or dead, lay in that terrible clearing.

It was hopeless to fight longer.

All that man could do had been done.

The recall was sounded, and the brave troops, given over to death and disaster by the incompetence of one man, were led back to the camp exhausted and despairing; the Rangers still doing good service in carrying off the wounded, and keeping up a steady fire whilst this task was being proceeded with.
General Abercromby's terror at the result of the day's work was as pitiful as his mismanagement had been.

There was no talk now of retrieving past blunders; there was nothing but a general rout--a retreat upon Fort Edward as fast as boats could take them.