teemed with mistakes, which we paid for extravagantly and are still paying for. The men called out weren’t soldiers any more than they could be lawyers, managers and operators without practice and education. The thirty thousand collected for Bull Run were, in the mind of the North, going to march right through to New Orleans. And people came out from nearby towns to watch, from a very safe distance, the battle--congressmen in carriages, women in barouches, sutlers in wagons and reporters in tree-tops. They would behold this battle that was going to bag these rebels and drive them into the Gulf of Mexico. The spectators having comfortable and uncomfortable seats, the engagement after some delay started. Tyler was slow in getting into position and Hunter’s brigade rested for refreshments by the waters of Bull Run a bit too long. After a time the Southern masked batteries began to have their telling effect. Lines were formed slowly and badly under fire. Many did not know the use of their muskets. Those in the rear were almost as deadly to friend as foe. Too many officers were killed or wounded in trying to get their men forward. The green troops finally mistook a regiment of Confederates for their own and received a murderous fire. Then the rout began. One regiment fled and then another. The untrained men stampeded across the field toward Washington. The eager observers scaled down the trees faster than they had climbed them. Barouches, carriages and wagons wheeled about and clattered away with much dust, turmoil and crowding. A vehicle overturned and blocked the main road, adding to the panic. The retreating recruits in their excitement fired mostly into the air, fortunately for those about them. Some officers sought to rally their men, here and there, but in vain. The majority rushed across fields, over lanes and pushed through jammed roads in their hurry to get away. And thus the first northern force evaporated. Haste, haste everywhere. Haste in forming a force--haste in legislation--haste in getting away. Men who would otherwise have been staunch and vigorous--men who were naturally brave--were hurried into a life-and-death-position they had no chance to fill. The size of the two forces had been about equal, but the South had had the advantage of six months’ training, whereas the North had used mostly eight-day wonders. And this decided jump of the Confederacy on us--their planning--their foresight--their business arrangements had meant the turn of the tide against the Union.