While this took place McDowell's main five brigades marched a roundabout route to the undefended ford at Sudley Springs. When one word of this reached the Confederates, Johnston, Jackson, and Beauregard's brigades were sent out. Brigades flanked left and right, here and there, for the next two hours. By early afternoon, our troops were gaining the advantage. Confederate soldiers were heard yelling and cheering as "Stonewall"Jackson and his brigade arrived.
Late into the afternoon, our troops began to retreat. The Confederates had won! Our troops' casualties were about 2,645. Being this the first battle of this war, our troops are still cheering those three, bold words: "North goes Forth".
