John G. Nicolay, The Outbreak of Rebellion

In the endeavor to outflank and envelop the rebel left, the Union right had become so strongly turned southward that it was nearly parallel to the Sudley road. Near the beginning of this final contest, Johnston received notice that the long-expected remainder of his Army of the Shenandoah had at length come; and before it was half over, Elzey, with Kirby Smith's brigade of three regiments, arrived near the battle-field from Manassas by the Sudley road. By this time, too, four other regiments, two from Cocke's and two from Bonham's brigades, also came up from the nearer fords. These seven fresh regiments, thrown opportunely by the rebel commander into the woods west of the Sudley road, directly against the exposed Union right flank, created a numerical overweight, which affords sufficient explanation of the Union repulse at that point.

But now, at half-past 4 in the afternoon, when the Union reinforcements were exhausted, the rebel accessions still continued: Early with three regiments arrived from the lower fords; Holmes with two regiments, and Ewell with three others, were rapidly approaching. Before the arrival of these last the battle was already decided. Early's brigade was sent cautiously through the woods, still farther to the rebel left, and suddenly appeared with Beckham's battery on the heights near the Chinn house, three-quarters of a mile west of the Sudley road, and entirely beyond and in the rear of the Union right.

The Union troops, having approached the second stage of the battle in such a flush of success, and with such an apparent assurance of victory, could not for a time realize the stern fact that the contest was turning against them. Officers of experience and sagacity, indeed, became seriously