How did henry try to justifyhis own retreatwhen he realized that the soilderswho did not run away had won the battle?

The thought makes him bitter. He, the enlightened one, had fled because of his greater perception. They would not see it like that, however. He thinks about the derisions and insults he will have to bear upon returning to his regiment. He pities himself, as if an injustice against him was committed. Henry finally concludes that he did what comes naturally. He notices the squirrel did not stand still in front of the thrown object; it ran away, trying to preserve itself.