“We are defeated!”
“Our regiments are cut to pieces!”
“General Bartow is wounded and General Bee is killed!”
Thus they cry, as they hasten towards Manassas.[3] Officers and men in the Rebel ranks feel that the battle is all but lost. Union officers and men feel that it is almost won.
The Rebel right wing, far out upon the turnpike, has been folded back upon the centre; the centre has been driven in upon the left wing, and the left wing has been pushed back beyond Mr. Lewis’s house. Griffin’s and Rickett’s batteries, which had been firing from the ridge west of the toll-gate, were ordered forward to the knoll from which the Rebel batteries had been driven.
“It is too far in advance,” said General Griffin.
“The Fire Zouaves will support you,” said General Barry.
“It is better to have them go in advance till we come into position; then they can fall back,” Griffin replied.
“No; you are to move first, those are the orders. The Zouaves are already to follow on the double-quick.”
“I will go; but, mark my words, they will not support me.”