CHAPTER LVI

THE SECOND BATTLE OF BULL RUN

Jackson resumes his position--Sigel's troops move forward slowly and become engaged--Reynolds, on left, advances, but falls back--Troops of right wing arrive, scattered to meet Sigel's cries for reinforcements--General Stevens advances with small force to Groveton--Unexpectedly fired on by enemy's skirmishers--Benjamin maintains unequal artillery combat--Sigel and Schenck withdraw troops from key-point--Jackson forces back Milroy and Schurz--General Porter's movement--Inactive all day--Pope hurls disconnected brigades on Jackson's corps--Attacks by Grover, Reno, Kearny, Stevens, all repulsed--King's division slaughtered--General Stevens collects his scattered division--Union attacks repulsed the first day--Lee master of the situation--August 30, second day--Pope sure the enemy had retreated--General Stevens expresses contrary view--Captain John More finds enemy in force--Pope's fatuous Order of pursuit--Porter slowly forms column in centre--Pope's faulty dispositions-- Whole army bunched in centre--Wings stripped of troops-- Porter's attack--General Stevens joins in it--The repulse-- Lee's opportunity--Longstreet's onslaught--The battle on left and centre--The right firmly held--General Stevens's remark--Pope orders retreat--General Stevens withdraws deliberately--Checks pursuit--Capture of Lieutenant Heffron--Crosses Bull Run at Lock's Ford--Bivouac for night--Battle lost by incompetent commander--Troops fought bravely 446