The intense fighting here lasted less than an hour as General Burgoyne's troops broke, many running pell-mell for their camp with thousands of Americans close behind them. Brigadier General Simon Fraser took command of the rearguard to protect the fleeing soldiers, but a shot pierced his body and he fell mortally wounded. Burgoyne's rearguard retreated, and the British hurried to take their dying general back to camp. Fraser was greatly beloved, so much so that not only officers and soldiers, but all the women flocked around, solicitous of his fate.