Colonel Cameron had been mortally wounded, was carried to an ambulance, and reported dying.

Many other officers were reported dead or missing, and many of the wounded were making their way, with more or less assistance, to the buildings used as hospitals, on the ridge to the west.

We succeeded in partially reforming the regiments, but it was manifest that they would not stand, and I directed Colonel Corcoran to move along the ridge to the rear, near the position where we had first formed the brigade.
General McDowell was there in person, and need all possible efforts to reassure the men.

By the active exertions of Colonel Corcoran, we formed an irregular square against the cavalry which were then seen to issue from the position from which we had been driven, and we began our retreat toward the same ford of Bull Run by which we had approached the field of battle.

There was no positive order to retreat, although for an hour it had been going on by the operation of the men themselves.