The ranks were thin and irregular, and we found a stream of people strung from the hospital across Bull Run, and far toward Centreville.

After putting in motion the irregular square in person, I pushed forward to find Captain Ayres's battery at the crossing of Bull Run.

I sought it at its last position, before the brigade had crossed over, but it was not there; then passing through the woods, where, in the morning, we had first formed line, we approached the blacksmith's shop, but there found a detachment of the secession cavalry and thence made a circuit, avoiding Cub Run Bridge, into Centreville, where I found General McDowell, and from him understood that it was his purpose to rally the forces, and make a stand at Centreville.
But, about nine o'clock at night, I received from General Tyler, in person, the order to continue the retreat to the Potomac.

This retreat was by night, and disorderly in the extreme.

The men of different regiments mingled together, and some reached the river at Arlington, some at Long Bridge, and the greater part returned to their former camp, at or near Fort Corcoran.