as a result of the additional casualties induced by the continued charge, the missouri militia fled back across the swamp, where they were too disorganized and disheartened to re-form as planned. the fighting in the saw grass was deadliest for five companies of the sixth infantry; every officer but one, and most of their noncoms were killed or wounded. when that part of the regiment retired a short distance to re-form, they found only four men of these companies unharmed. the 6th infantry's commander, lieutenant colonel alexander r. thompson, was among the dead. lieutenant william h.t. walker, later a general in the confederate army, was wounded in the neck, shoulder, chest, left arm, and also his leg during the battle.