Bull Run: List 4

by Paul Fleischman
In this historical fiction, sixteen characters describe their actions and reactions connected to the first major battle of the Civil War, which was fought on July 21, 1861 in Virginia.

This list covers "Edmund Upwing"–"Lily Malloy."

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4
40 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. hamper
    a basket usually with a cover
    All dressed in their best and fitted out with parasols and opera glasses, not forgetting two hampers of food, and champagne for toasting the victory.
  2. nag
    an old or overworked horse
    Cabmen dull witted as their nags?
  3. daft
    foolish or mentally irregular
    Cabmen dull witted as their nags? Don’t be daft! They know more of Washington than the President.
  4. feign
    make believe with the intent to deceive
    I feigned deafness, but took the precaution of noting our fastest route of retreat.
  5. stifling
    characterized by oppressive heat and humidity
    It was nearly nine and already stifling when we finally reached Bull Run.
  6. volley
    rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
    They met us with a volley of rifle fire, then artillery shells.
  7. singe
    burn superficially or lightly
    Those behind us singed our hair with their bullets.
  8. brunt
    the main part, especially of a force or shock
    Before us, at Mitchell’s Ford, where he’d expected the brunt of the Union assault, there was little shooting as well.
  9. accord
    be harmonious or consistent with
    This fog was pierced by the undeniable fact of firing far to our left. This didn’t accord with the general’s plan. He’d weighted our line heavily to the right.
  10. grudgingly
    in a reluctant manner
    Grudgingly, he sent some men west, still hoping to save his cherished offensive.
  11. dilemma
    state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
    I suggested he ride out and investigate, but he ignored me. He appeared paralyzed by the dilemma.
  12. battery
    a group of guns or missile launchers operated together
    There were six guns in our battery, with eight men to a gun.
  13. shrapnel
    shell containing lead pellets that explodes in flight
    We labored hard and fast, firing solid shot, then switched to shrapnel.
  14. skedaddle
    run away, as if in a panic
    The enemy lines had broken and the men were scattering like rabbits. We were ordered forward. Didn’t we crow! “They’re whipped!” “Look at ’em all skedaddle!”
  15. tourniquet
    a bandage that stops the flow of blood by applying pressure
    We knew the first wounded would shortly arrive. We’d set up two tables and readied our tourniquets, forceps, scalpels, and saws.
  16. blasphemy
    profane language
    “He stands there like a damned stone wall!” he cried. “Why doesn’t he come and support us?” He let loose a deal of blasphemy.
  17. straggler
    someone who strays or falls behind
    I was sent to tell them to hurry to the battle. The general saw the stragglers on the road, bleeding, crying for water, limping along or running for home like madmen.
  18. gaudy
    tastelessly showy
    Gold silk sash, gold spurs, white buckskin gloves, and an ostrich plume in his hat. He squinted out between the trees. The battle was almighty thick and hot. Finally, he gave the sign. He led us out of the woods and charged down into a line of Zouaves got up even gaudier than he was.
  19. lull
    a pause during which things are calm
    I paused for a time to re-form my line. I was then ready to deliver the death blow, ending the battle and the Confederacy both. Beauregard, though, had made use of the lull and had shifted many more men west.
  20. chafe
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
    I’d have been there as well, but would have to ask them to tell me exactly what had happened. The thought chafed me fierce.
  21. disdainful
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    My notebook held heroes, marching in unison, bravely advancing, disdainful of death.
  22. tumult
    a state of commotion and noise and confusion
    “Rally ’round, New York!” I shouted above the tumult.
  23. hearten
    give encouragement to
    He heartened them in spirited fashion, especially during the worst of the fighting, riding up and down the ranks, praising the men, shoring up their resolve, instantly mounting another horse when his own was shot from beneath him.
  24. rout
    an overwhelming defeat
    When we saw the Northerners starting to flee, he led our entire line forward in attack. President Davis arrived by train from Richmond in time to watch the rout. The speed of the Union collapse was astounding.
  25. torrent
    a violently fast stream of water or other liquid
    Those on foot rushed around us like an April torrent.
  26. caravan
    a procession traveling together in single file
    The caravan halted. The way was blocked by a tangle of overturned wagons.
  27. acclaim
    praise vociferously
    Then a young officer galloped up, leaped down, and dragged the vehicles away. His courage was acclaimed.
  28. hardtack
    very firm unsalted biscuit or bread
    I ate some hardtack and emptied my canteen.
  29. baffled
    perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
    Then the troops began streaming back our way. I was baffled. I’d expected to trail them south, taking piles of pictures of soldiers standing on captured flags and such.
  30. pommel
    handgrip formed by the raised front part of a saddle
    A detachment of cavalry passing the scene bent over their pommels and retched, to a man.
  31. plod
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    We plodded past abandoned artillery, ammunition boxes, knapsacks beyond number, past mounds of flour and sugar and pork spilling out of broken barrels, cast out of wagons to make room for men.
  32. sodden
    wet through and through; thoroughly wet
    Rain came on during the night. It soaked the men, turned the roads to muck, and added more misery to the retreat. It was past midnight when we reached Washington. All that night and the following day the soldiers trudged across the Long Bridge, sodden, sullen, the very picture of defeat.
  33. famished
    extremely hungry
    Kindhearted women made vats of soup, set them by the street, and fed the famished lads.
  34. stagger
    walk with great difficulty
    Staggering along through the rain, they looked a parade of ghosts.
  35. fickle
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
    I heard that Horace Greeley himself, the most powerful editor in the land—who’d first told Lincoln to let the South secede, then insisted that Richmond be taken—now had sent Lincoln a letter stating that the Rebels couldn’t be beaten! The winds blew fickle about the President, but he had his feet on the ground.
  36. settee
    a small sofa
    By night, every bed and settee and most of the floor was occupied by wounded soldiers.
  37. ghastly
    shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
    The three servants and I did all we could, cleaning the men and their ghastly wounds, changing dressings, feeding, giving comfort.
  38. solicitude
    a feeling of excessive concern
    I was told that my eldest daughter’s husband had been wounded, and I gave the men the same care that I prayed he was receiving. Several were Yankees. We attended them with no less solicitude.
  39. ordeal
    a severe or trying experience
    He had both legs taken off by a doctor who came to us, and survived the ordeal.
  40. smug
    marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
    It said he’d fought bravely, had been given a fine burial, and was mourned and missed by all who’d known him. Mother wailed. Father looked almost smug, as if Patrick had been punished, as promised.
Created on Mon May 13 11:08:16 EDT 2024 (updated Tue May 14 14:03:52 EDT 2024)

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