Question

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 recolling back, pouring over the long bridge — a horrible march of twenty miles, returning to washington baffled, humiliated, panic - struck.
commenced: started
recolling: springing
baffled: confused
from whitmans account, what probably happened at the battle?
the confederate army captured washington, d.c.
the union army fought the confederate army to a tie.
the union army won the battle and took manassas junction.
the union army was defeated and forced to retreat.

Explanation:

The passage describes Union troops returning to Washington D.C. in a state of being baffled, humiliated, and panic-struck after a terrible march, which indicates they suffered a defeat and had to retreat. The other options do not match: Washington was not captured, there is no indication of a tie, and they did not win and take Manassas Junction.

Answer:

The Union army was defeated and forced to retreat.