Tom, at one instant, as he cast his eye along the line, found himself flanked on either side by his comrades; at the next there was a wild, indescribable tramp and roar, and he found himself alone.

The regiment was scattered in every direction, and he did not see a single man whom he knew.

There was a moving mass of Federal soldiers all around him.
The Zouaves had been forced back, and the cry of victory had given place to the ominous sounds which betokened a defeat, if not a rout.
The rebels had been reenforced, and had hurled their fresh legions upon our exhausted troops, who could no longer roll back the masses that crowded upon them.

The day was lost.
Tom, bewildered by this sudden and disastrous result, moved back with the crowds around him.

Men had ceased to be brave and firm; they were fleeing in mortal terror before the victorious battalions that surged against them.
"It's all up with us, my lad," said a panting Zouave.