Eventually the planned pincer movement was frustrated when Barbatio, in the words of Ammianus, "…as if he had ended the campaign successfully, distributed his soldiers in winter quarters and returned to the Emperor's court to frame some charges against Caesar, as was his custom." His departure left Julian open to attack, but against all expectations he defeated the Alemanni at the Battle of Strasbourg. Constantius, in distant Milan, immediately claimed the victory as his own.
Eventually, the intended encircling maneuver was thwarted when Barbatio, in the words of Ammianus, "…as if he had ended the campaign successfully, dispersed his troops during winter quarters and returned to the Emperor's court to level accusations against Caesar, as was his habit."