The destruction was prevented from being still more complete, by the very timely sortie made by Lieutenant Colonel Willet, which checked the pursuit, and recalled those engaged in it to the defence of their own camp.
As soon as Gansevoort understood that Herkimer was advancing, the sortie which he had planned was made.

Lieutenant Colonel Willet fell on the camp of the besiegers, and routed them at the first onset.
After driving them, some into the woods, and others over the river, he returned to the fort without the loss of a man.
Burgoyne had received early intimation of the arrival of St.Leger before fort Schuyler; and was aware of the advantage to be derived from an immediate and rapid movement down the Hudson.

But the obstacles to his progress multiplied daily, and each step produced new embarrassments.

Not more than one-third of the horses expected from Canada had arrived; and Schuyler had been active in removing the draft cattle of the country.

With unremitting exertion, he had been able to transport from fort George to the Hudson, a distance of eighteen miles, only twelve batteaux, and provisions for four days in advance.
The defectiveness of his means to feed his army until it should reach the abundant country below him, presented an impediment to his farther progress, not readily to be surmounted.