Since he no longer had numerical superiority over the Confederates and did not possess any geographical advantage, the most prudent course would have been to withdraw his army over Bull Run and unite with McClellan's Army of the Potomac, which had 25,000 men nearby.
Da han ikke længere havde numerisk overlegenhed over sydstatshæren og ikke havde en geografisk fordel, ville den mest fornuftige handling havde været at trække hæren tilbage over Bull Run og forene sig med McClellans Army of the Potomac, som lå med 25.000 mand i nærheden.