After sending the long wagon train of wounded, General Robert E. Lee began to pull in the regiments and heading them back to the Potomac River and safety on he Virginia side.
But the rains had swollen the river and the pontoon bridge at Williamsport had been destroyed by Federal Cavalry, tapping the Confederate army on the Maryland side. Although their were some raids of the retreating soldiers by Federal Cavalry, General Meade was slow in pursuing the rebels.