Following an overnight 20-mile march from Fort Gibson and a day-long battle, Federal soldiers were exhausted and camped on the battleground on both sides of Elk Creek. The next day, part of the Federal army marched back to Fort Gibson while some units rested a second day before returning. Meanwhile, Confederate units retreated 17 miles south to North Fork Town. Lieutenant Colonel J. W. Bowles of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry, USA, recalled that after the enemy was completely routed and defeated, his men were ordered to fall back to the springs, rest, cook supper, then at 7 p.m. take position on the battlefield near the ford on Elk Creek and bivouac for the night. Brigadier General Douglas H. Cooper, CSA, said that the eastward retreat of the forces under his command instead of southward completely deceived the enemy and created the impression that reinforcements from Fort Smith were close at hand and that, by a detour behind the mountain east of Honey Springs, his forces might march upon Gibson.