Evening star., 1935-07-21

and the gleam of arms and the
twinkling of bayonets.
Back from the valley came gallant
horsemen bathed in sweat. They were
officers who brought news Of victory
and Wed with each other in the race
to the rear to arouse the plaudits Of
the spectators.
"The rebels are running!"
Tonight we'll have Manassas. and
then right on to Richmond! Hurrah!"
Congressman shook hands and top
hats were waved aloft. Backs were
slapped. Gentlemen stepped into
fence corners and took long pulls
from their whisky flasks in celebra-
ton of the glad tidings.
AS the day wore on, following
short lull, the thunder of battle in
creased. OF greater expanSe was that
blush yellow cloud as 1t moved south
ward. More horsemen rode to the
rear. more exciting were their bel
lowed announcements Of Federal
victory. more blatant we're the ex-
carnations Of the frenzied gallery
that lined the hillside
The sound of cannonade and mus
kerry was exaggerated by the dis
tance and the rolling echoes of the
hills The crowd surged forward. In
the throng were few women, who
trained their opera glasses on the VAL
ley below. Officers and soldiers from
the reserve regiments at Centerville
mingled with the spectators and pre-
tended TO explain the movement Of
the troops.
1t is past mid-afternoon. Away of
y0nder in the distance on that part
Of the field occupied by the Confed-
crates curls a column of dust, indi-
eating a rapid movement of cavalry.
It is observed that the artillery f1re
ic diminishing. There is no longer
the sustained roll Of musketry. What
has happened?
TIP FROM the region Of the stone
bridge rose a thick cloud of dust
that obscured the battle smoke beyond,
and a great shouting went up that
did not sound like the ringing cheers
of victory. Over the bridge and up the
hill came a caravan of wagons. the
drivers frantically whipping their
horses. while men in uniform ran
alongside In the cursing of the wag-
onmen and the cries of those on foot
there was a refrain that soon was
taken up by those in the rear: Back,
turn back! We're whipped"
Drivers of the ammunition wagons
going forward attempted to turn
around and became ensnarled with the
plunging caravan bound for the rear.
The crowd from the front continually
increased and the uproar was aug
mented when some cavalry soldiers,
waving their sabers. came as the escort
to a covered wagon with which they
we're endeavoring to gain the lead OF
all others. In the wagon with bloody
bandage about his head and throat
sat an officer, ghaStly pale. He was
Gen. Joseph Hunter, who had been
wounded early in the. action.
In the direction of Bull Run the
artillery resumed and shells screaming
down the road and bursting in the
fields indicated that the Confederates
were in pursuit. The widest dis
order followed. The ground was
strewed with muskets, blankets, belts,
caps, canteens, and the men, mostly
without firearms. dripping in perspira-
ton and in almost the final stage of
exhaustion, staggered through the
binding dust.
This scene of confusion and terror
soon was observed by the civilians on
the hill, resulting In debacle of the
spectators. For few moments some
gentlemen in dignified clothes, but
very hot and very redfaced, attempted
to explain to each other the cause
of the wild scenes down the road, but
when they observed the white puffs of
exploding shells they joined in the mad
rush and far outstripped the galloping
teamsters and tagged soldiers In the
race back to Centerville.
McDowellS entire army, except those
who had fallen and the hundreds who
were'captured, now swarmed back east
of Bull Run, some in wild rout, but
goodly portion of the regiments came
off the field in semblance of order.
The sun, crimson behind the battle
cloud, was sinking low beyond the
ridge at Thoroughfare Gap and the
fugitives cast long. weird shadows be-