. Three rivers, the James, the Potomac, the Hudson: a retrospect of peace and war . ns, I may saythat the aides of General Mansfield had been inthe saddle during the whole day of the battle for-warding troops across the Potomac bridges, in an-swer to McDowells repeated calls for reinforce-ments, and late in the afternoon, about 5 P. M., theofficers of the generals staff were summoned toheadquarters. The increasing fire of the artillery,and its greater distinctness as the day advanced,was by no means reassuring, and when we were allpresent in the office the general closed the door,and, drawing
. Three rivers, the James, the Potomac, the Hudson: a retrospect of peace and war . ns, I may saythat the aides of General Mansfield had been inthe saddle during the whole day of the battle for-warding troops across the Potomac bridges, in an-swer to McDowells repeated calls for reinforce-ments, and late in the afternoon, about 5 P. M., theofficers of the generals staff were summoned toheadquarters. The increasing fire of the artillery,and its greater distinctness as the day advanced,was by no means reassuring, and when we were allpresent in the office the general closed the door,and, drawing a telegram from his breast pocket,read these words: The left wing of our army isin retreat upon Centreville—a message fromGeneral McDowell to General Scott. At the moment there came a rap on the door,followed by the entrance of an orderly from Gen-eral Scotts headquarters, the telegram this timereading: The army is in full retreat upon Cen-treville. General Mansfield was much excited, and,walking the floor with his head down and hishands behind him, the telegram crushed in his. THE POTOMAC RIVER 109 hand, kept us all in suspense until he read the mes-sage. Turning to his adjutant-general, he said:The worst has happened that could have hap-pened—our army is defeated and in full retreatupon Centreville. I fear it is a rout. But what was transpiring at General Scottsheadquarters at this instant? I must turn toColonel Savage for assistance, for here he says: Thus spoke General Scott: All seems lost, andaddressing his confidential officer, said: Send anyofficers you can to ride around the defenses—setall in order for a defense. Mansfield will rallythe returning army. Take a squadron—use myname and signature everywhere. Go out yourselfand meet them. Find Barrys battery, Richard-sons brigade, Runyons division of the McDowell bring all back here by Centre-ville to Fairfax and Arlington. I go to the Presi-dent to direct with him the defense of the city. This seems
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