the fire did serve one purpose, in that it illuminated the night, revealing the attackers. the fire left a gap in the outer wall, which the garrison temporarily sealed with a breastwork. the remaining few of the garrison returned the fire of the indians so fiercely that they were able to hold off the attack. all remaining invalids were armed to maintain defense, while healthy men were put to work repairing the hole left in the fort's walls. the fort was repaired by daybreak of september 5. the indian force withdrew just beyond gun range and butchered area farm animals within sight of the fort. the garrison and settlers inside the fort, meanwhile, had lost most of their food in the fire, had only a few bushels of corn, and faced starvation.