The men's faces grew doleful from the interpreting of omens.

Tales of hesitation and uncertainty on the part of those high in place and responsibility came to their ears.

Stories of disaster were borne into their minds with many proofs.

This din of musketry on the right, growing like a released genie of sound, expressed and emphasized the army's plight.
The men were disheartened and began to mutter.

They made gestures expressive of the sentence: "Ah, what more can we do ?" And it could always be seen that they were bewildered by the alleged news and could not fully comprehend a defeat.
Before the gray mists had been totally obliterated by the sun rays, the regiment was marching in a spread column that was retiring carefully through the woods.