It was a strange night to the whole Union army, full of sinister omens.
Pope, in his quest for Jackson, had heard about sunset the booming of guns in the west, but he could not believe that the Southern general was there.

Many of his dispatches had been captured by the hard-riding cavalry of Stuart.

His own division commanders had lost touch with him.
It was not possible for him to know what to do until morning, and no one could tell him.

Meanwhile Longstreet was advancing in the darkness through the Gap to reinforce Jackson.
Dick had found another horse belonging to a slain owner, and, in the darkness, his heart full of bitterness, he rode back beside Colonel Winchester toward Manassas.

Could they never win a big victory in the east?
The men were brave and tenacious.