The Civil War Diary of John G. Morrison 1861-1865

[6] Saturday, July 20th. Received orders yesterday to hold ourselves in readiness to march after McDowell's army, which left for Richmond this last week. Everything was ready and all hands in a fever of expectation. The sound of a horse's hoof was surely a-coming, but we were doomed to disappointment time and again. I being on guard had everything in readiness for an immediate start, but no order came. [3] Sunday, July 21st. Came off guard at 9 A. M. Had divine service at 11. During service heavy cannonading was to be heard in the direction of Faifax. About noon an orderly came with orders for us to fall in at 3 P. M. and march across the long Bridge into Virginia. Three, four and five came but no march yet. At last about 8 the orders came for us to fall in, and we started for Washington. Arrived at the Long Bridge. A mounted officer rode up to the Colonel and handed him an order for us to return to our camp, as McDowell had fought a great battle at Mannasses and had completely routed them, and so there was no occasion for us. At the news of the victory we gave three hearty cheers and counter marched and arrived back about 11 1/2 P. M. [7] Monday, July 22nd. Raining hard, as it did all night. Strange rumors began to come concerning the fight of yesterday. It is being whispered around that in place of a victory that we were most disgracefully beaten and that our whole army panic-stricken and, utterly demoralized, had fled in al directions. Every hour through the day the news became worse as fresh bands of stragglers keep arriving and of course adding something to the thousand and one stories of the defeat and subsequent plight. In the afternoon the rebels took possession of Centreville. The streets of Washington were filled with straggling soldiers seeking their companies and regiments.