. Popular history of the civil war . ant officers on both sides had been killed, andmany wounded. Even General Johnston began to feel dis-couraged, and the Nationals did not dare to hope. Three times the Nationals climbed wearily up the hill;and when, at last, bearing their flags heavily, they gained thetop for the third time, a terrible fire of musketry and artillery,at pistol-range, mowed them down like grain in a harvest-field. Just at that moment the rest of General Johnstonscommand appeared, led by General Kirby Smith. Cheer after cheer rose from the Confederates, who tookfresh courage. O
. Popular history of the civil war . ant officers on both sides had been killed, andmany wounded. Even General Johnston began to feel dis-couraged, and the Nationals did not dare to hope. Three times the Nationals climbed wearily up the hill;and when, at last, bearing their flags heavily, they gained thetop for the third time, a terrible fire of musketry and artillery,at pistol-range, mowed them down like grain in a harvest-field. Just at that moment the rest of General Johnstonscommand appeared, led by General Kirby Smith. Cheer after cheer rose from the Confederates, who tookfresh courage. On came two regiments, of fresh recruits,pressing furiously upon the right wing of the Union army;and the same murderous fire continued in front. Whatwonder, then, that at the cry, Johnstons army has come ! the Unionists lost all hope. One after another, regimentafter regiment, broke and ran. The battle-field becamea general race-course. Riderless horses, mules with wagons,and soldiers with their arms flung away, flying in wild haste. i86i.] A Black Monday. loi and confusion, made such a scene as was never beforeimagined. Threats and entreaties were useless. Ordershad no effect on the men, and many a gallant officer diedtrying to rally his command. One battalion of regularsfirmly held together, and moved steadily across the plainto hold the enemy in check, in order to give the Federals achance to rally. But it was all in vain. Faster and fasterthe poor fellows ran, never stopping to look behind them. They retreated to Centreville very naturally, and soonafter midnight they were all on their way back to Washing-ton. Their wounded and dead alas, how great a com-pany ! were left behind. If one could have seen them,blood-stained and soiled, struggling through the dark, itwould have been hard to believe that these were the daringand eager soldiers who had so lately gone out determined toconquer. Never had the flag of the Union trailed so low in thedust before. Yet our boys in blue we
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