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 Manassas, 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. [Illustration: 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 Wilcox'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."