In July 1861, a Union army marched south from Washington, D.C., into Virginia. Its goal was to seize Manassas Junction, an important railroad center. This plan led to the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the war.

Question

In July 1861, a Union army marched south from Washington, D.C., into Virginia. Its goal was to seize Manassas Junction, an important railroad center. This plan led to the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the war.

The following passage was written by Walt Whitman, a poet who was living in Washington, D.C., at the time. Read the passage. Then answer the question below.
[The Union] troops commenced pouring into Washington over the Long Bridge at daylight on Monday, 22nd July . . . all the men with this coating of sweat and rain, now recoiling back, pouring over the Long Bridge — a horrible march of twenty miles, returning to Washington baffled, humiliated, panic-struck.
commenced
:
started
recoiling
:
springing
baffled
:
confused
From Whitman's account, what probably happened at the battle?

Answer 1

From Whitman's account, it can be inferred that the Union troops were defeated at the battle and had to retreat back to Washington. They were described as "returning to Washington baffled, humiliated, panic-struck."