Part 3 (2/2)

”Do not fire upon them; they are your supports!” shouts Major Barry, riding up.

”No, sir; they are Rebels.”

”They are your supports, just ordered up.”

”As sure as the world, they are Rebels.”

”You are mistaken, Captain; they are your supports.”

The cannoneers stand ready to pull the lanyards, which will send a tornado through those ranks.

”Don't fire!” shouts the Captain.

The guns are wheeled again towards Mrs. Henry's, and the supposed supports are saved from destruction at the hand of Captain Griffin.

Captain Imboden, before ordering his men to fire upon the supposed Yankees, gallops nearer to them, to see who they are. He sees them raise their guns. There is a flash, a rattle and roll. Griffin's and Rickett's men and their horses go down in an instant! They rush on with a yell.

There is sharp, hot, decisive work. Close musket-shots and sabre-strokes. Men are trampled beneath the struggling horses.

There are shouts and hurrahs. The few soldiers remaining to support Griffin and Rickett fire at the advancing Rebel brigade, but the contest is unequal; they are not able to hold in check the three thousand fresh troops. They fall back. The guns are in the hands of the Rebels. The day is lost. At the very moment of victory the line is broken. In an instant all is changed. A moment ago we were pressing on, but now we are falling back. Quick almost as the lightning's flash is the turning of the tide.

All through a mistake! So great events sometimes hang on little things.

The unexpected volley, the sudden onset, the vigorous charge, the falling back, produces confusion in the Union ranks. Officers and men, generals and soldiers alike, are confounded. By a common impulse they begin to fall back across the turnpike. Unaccountably to themselves, and to the Rebel fugitives streaming towards Mana.s.sas, they lose strength and heart. The falling back becomes a retreat, a sudden panic and a rout. Regiments break and mix with others. Soldiers drop their guns and cartridge-boxes, and rush towards the rear.

I had watched the tide of battle through the day. Everything was favorable. The heat was intense, and I was thirsty. A soldier came past with a back-load of canteens freshly filled.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BULL RUN BATTLE-GROUND, July 21, 1861.

1 Stone Bridge.

2 Sudley Springs.

3 Toll-gate kept by Mr. Mathey.

4 Mr. Dogan's house.

5 Mrs. Henry's.

6 Mr. Lewis's.

7 Wilc.o.x's, Howard's, and Franklin's brigades.

8 Porter's and Burnside's brigades.

9 Sherman's and Keyes's brigades.

10 Griffin's and Rickett's batteries.

11 Rebel reinforcements which fired upon Griffin.

12 Position of Rebel army when the Union line gave way.

13 Ridge where the battle began.]

”Where did you find the water?”

”Over there in the woods, in the rear of Schenck's brigade.”

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