Such a great volume of fire, without any effort to take advantage of it, made the veteran suspicious.
He knew that those old comrades of his on the other side of Bull Run would not waste their metal in a mere cannonade and long range rifle fire.

There must be something behind it.

Presently, with the consent of the commander, he drew the Invincibles back from the river, where they were permitted to cease firing, and to rest for a while on their arms.
But as they drew long breaths and tried to clear the smoke from their throats, a rumor ran down the lines.

The attack at the bridge was but a feint.

Only a minor portion of the hostile army was there.