Though the Confederates claimed the victory, it was clear enough to the two prisoners from the south side of the island that the Southern troops were retreating from the field.

A soldier who fought with them wrote to a paper in Georgia: "I scarcely know whether we achieved a victory, or suffered a defeat." He also said that in the fog and darkness: "We shot down our friends in numbers." A few prisoners had been captured by the enemy, including two officers.
But Folkner led the way to a point on the bay not very near the steamers which had brought over the expedition from the mainland.

The Confederate troops embarked in the steamers and launches by which they had come; but the Union troops followed them to the end.

Their steamers were aground, and a merciless fire was poured into them by the pursuing companies.
"They are having hot work of it over there," said Lonley, as they came to a boat on the shore.

"But that is not our affair, and it is quite proper for us to keep out of the way of the flying bullets." Christy and Flint were directed to take seats in the boat, and the lieutenant and boatswain manned the oars.