Troops were pouring into it by every train from the north and west.

All they needed was leadership and discipline.

Bull Run had stung, but it did not daunt them and they asked to be led again against the enemy.

They heard that Lincoln had received the news of the defeat with great calmness, and that he had spent most of a night in his office listening to the personal narratives of public men who had gone forth to see the battle, and who at its conclusion had left with great speed.
"Lots of people have laughed at Abe Lincoln an' have called him only a rail-splitter," said Whitley, "but I heard him two or three times, when he was campaignin' in Illinois, an' I tell you he's a man." "He was born in my state," said Dick, "and I mean to be proud of him.
He'll have support, too.

Look how the country is standing by him!" More than once in the succeeding days Dick Mason's heart thrilled at the mighty response that came to the defeat of Bull Run.