y '\ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Shelf. .:.,..[:..::-■ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A THRILLING WAR DRAMA Entitled ',\'>*j^ I ril llHE^HEROeQFeLEXlNGTUN [| fil ^ ^"^^S By R. B. HOWELL, Late of Co, A., 3rd Michigan, V. I. Based on Real Incidents of the Wcir of 'the llehellimi. tnrtnto rccoRDiN'-, to act or congse-SS !n is33. in the orricr o A PUBLISHED BY ROBT. L. ANDERSON, Sal!NEVIllf, Ohio. t Hi To the Memory of Capt. John L. Herrington, the Real Hero of Lexington, Mo., is this Drama Affectionately Inscribed by the Author. TMP92-009161 "The Hern nf Lexingtan." ACT FIRST.- Scene 1st — Parlor — Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth, their .son Charles and daughters, Emma and Celia, seated. Mr. W. (reading paper) The war seems inevitable, al- ready the people of the South have declared that they will ser>- arate themselves from the North and form a Contedarate Na- tion of their own, and to this end state after state has fallen in Ime and passed the Ordinance of Secession. (Lays down paper) Charles: Father, will there be a call for men to defend- the Union? Mr. W. : Yes, my son, if war comes as it now seems it must. Men will be called upon to aefend the Country and her Flag. Charles: Then Father, in that event 1 shall respond. and like my noble ancestors stand by the Old Flag of our coimtry Mr. W, : My noble boy while I should deeply lament my loss, should you fall in the service of our country, yet I will not try to dampen your loyalty to one of the best governmeets under the sun. Mrs. W. : I pray God, that this sacrifice of Sons and Husbands may not become necessary, but if it is His will then — 2 — the love of the country should be paramount to all, except our love to God the Father. (Charles someone is at the door) (Charles opens the door and as Carl enters Charles reth*es) Curl : Coot efening frents I shoost come in to spraken aboud des var vat you dinks eh? Ml- W. : I think Carl from the present indications that we shnll have tiouble with the South. Cnrl : Yas I dink so neider, und ven dem repel fellers vooin oud uiid say dey vill no longer haf our Bresident to rule ofer dem, or onr lechislatur to make der laws, den I tink dere vill be plenty droubles. und ven der Bresident say coom poys I dinks I cooiiis oud und help make dem repel fellers coom pack und stay by der olt Flag, und pehave derselves. Charle'< : (enters excitedly) Father I have just heard that the President has issued a proclamation calling for 75.000 men to put don n an armed Rebellion. (Exit Charles.) (Pat heard out-side) Whoa. Car] ; Yeely Moses, den 1 goes at vonce und makes mine- self a .soldier, coot night friends. (Exit Carl — enter I'at at same time, running against each other.) Fat: Begoi-ra and phat ails the Dutchman that he goes out like amad siheer.^ Ssure and he came near knocking me i'Oipc do\v!i n^e troat, and if iver he does the loikes of it again i'll taclieb "iui a lesson or two. Mr W. Vi\t you must excuse Carl, he had just heard that the I'lesident had issued a call for 75.000 men to put down an aniied rebellion an>l he was hurrying away to enlist. Fat : Begon-a Carl, ye can knock me pipe down me troat aixl me teeth along Vvid it, if that is what ye v.^ere going for, ;ind I say. Mr. Wadsworth, if ye could nianage to drive the tfaui yersel" 1 belave 1 would go along wid Carl and bad cess lo Ihellcbel phat eoor.is betwixt a Dutchuian and an Irishman. Mr. Av ; Far. it it is your desire to go and serve your eonntry. w;- will sp;ue you, and during your absence yourfam- ily shall receive every hionth one-half as much as I have been paying yois. Fat: Thank:-. Mr , Wadswoilh, may the llowly Saints presarve ye. Fll go. but eould ye give Biddy a place as sarvint wid yees wliile I am gone? Mr. W: Y<'.o. Fat. slie shall remain in our employ. Pat: Thanks, Mr. Wadsworth, then here I go like the Dii!chman. Mr. W: 'i'hese \r.t\\ .vill mai^e good soldiers. (Close cue) (Mr. W. come on front of stage with hat and cane walk slovvlv j'.cio.-s slaoe)[Mr. W.) llecruiting has already beo;ua, :ind 1 have no doubt, when next I see Charles that he will be a soldier in the United States army, My only regret is that my ;ige and iniirmity prevents me from offering my services to my country. (passes off stage) (As Mr. VV. passes off stage open on iird tbil.) (Scene 2nd.)(liecrii!ting ottice, seated at table Oa))t. .Jiidd and J^ieut Smit.'i(Enter Charles, Fat and Carl. Charles : Is this Capt Judds recruiting oHice? Lieut Smith: It is Capt Judd: Gentlemen have you come to en-list in an- swer to the call oi the President for volunteers? Charles: I have. Carl: Sol too. Fat : Thems me sentiments yer honor. Capt Judd : Gentlemen have you considered well the -tep you are about to take? That yon may be called upon to endure hard-ships, fatigue and perhaps death, or what is still worse become disabled for life? Charles : 1 know there is many vicissitudes of war, but in offering my services 1 do so expecting to accept as a patriot what the fates of war may bring, ever bearing in mind thai he who is afraid to offer his life in defence of his counti-y is un- worthy to be called a citizen . Fat : Thims me sintiments. Carl: Sol too. Lieut Smith: Noble sentiments it is just such men we want Capt Judd : You can sign the roll and 1 will assign you to Co A. iny own company. (Carl signs first and steps into wing put on belt v that your love of couHtry is paramount to all, except to Him who giveth gov- ernments and holdeth all nations in His hand. Celia : Charles when do you have to leave us? Charles: The day after to-morrow we leave for the seat of War, Sumpter has fallen and the loyal men of the North must teach those Traitors that their flush of victory now means only defeat in the end. Emma : (Laying her head on Charles shoulder with Handkerchief to eyes.) Oh Charles it is too bad that you have to leave us so soon. Charles : Sister do not feel that way, think of our dear old Flag being taken down and trailed through the streets of Charleston, through dust and filth and then say— shall I doff this uniform or not? Emma : Go Charles you shall not hear your foolish sister say aught again if such terrible deeds are being enacted. Charles : Not foolish, Sister mine, but spoken like the little patriot you are, but I must now extend to all of you an in- vitation to visit me at the Barracks to-morrow, and you girls —6— ^ come prepiired to give us a song as all the Company will be present. Ml. W. :We will come Charles, and will call for Alice on the way. Have you seen her since you enlisted? . Charles: Yes Father, 1 have and she like you is will- ing to lay all on the altar of her country, Mr.W'.: Noble e:irl, durmg your absence Charles, she .-hnll find in \is true friends. Charles: Thank you Father; good night, I will now iry the realities of Soldier life by sleeping at the Barracks to- night. (all respond good night, Exit Charles) (scene closes. Pat eomes on in front to hold stage.) Fat : Faith an it takes a mon to be lively, to keep his gun mo%in in every direction, the Capt tould us, an only fur me fight boots 1 vvould*nt had a blessed toe left on me foot; sure an I can't see how Shoulder arrums and Order arrums an all thirn other orders are going to kill Rebels, but never mind Pat will show thim some of his tactics when we get to the front, (Exit I*at)(as Pat goes off open full stage, Soldiers in Barracks smoking and talking, enter visiting party, Soldiers all in full line) Scene iird — Enter Mr. W., wife and daughter, Alice in the wings. Charles: Comrades these are my parents and sisters, ^all salute) Mr. W. : Young men I am glad to meet you, and as I look at you. and think of the thousads like you that will respond to the call of the President I feel assured that our nation is safe and that a disolution of this Union can never be. Mrs. W. : Young men, allow me to say a word to you, I know you will be true to your country, be true to yourselves also av»id as mu^'h as possible all the evils that may surround you, be men and God will give you victory (after Mrs. W. stops J^peaking, soldiers all start to leave stage) (enter at same time Quartette. Charles: Hold on men, perhaps the visitors will give us a song(ali call out song. Quartette then takes stage and sings one or two selections of Patriotic songs) (after song all soldiers except Charles exit, the quartette takes leav^ of Charles cheer- luUy and retire. Mr.W. : Ciiarles you have joined a noble company and 1 have no doubt when called upon for duty, that victory will follow in its path (lays hand on Charles arm) but what mean those chivrons on your arms? I thought you enlisted as a private. —7— Charles: I duJ, but am now on the line of promotion, and hope to rise higher ere I return. Mr. W. : Be true and loyal my son, and though you rise no higher m the ranks you may come out a hero, but we must now leave you and return to our home. Fare .veil Charles and may God bless you, and bring you safely back to us, (let mother and sisters clasp hands with Charles and pass off stage with handkerchief to their eyes.)(Alice cymes on as others pass off, «;harles and her embrace and scene closes) (Carl comes on to hold stage.) Carl : I shoost tells you dot olt mans speech makes me so goot feel dat I dinks 1 could go by der South und slock all tem repels py mineself, for making such droubles, und ven I haf such a gal as dat uder feller to ,leaf pehint me, den I fights like der olt poy ; I shoost tells you dot young man cooms oud a hero. (as Carl retires stage opens on 3rd, Capt. J. seated, Order- ly enters with orders, Capt. reads to himself and says.) Capt. J. : I have ordes which takes us to the front and probably into active service(turns toward wmg and calls Order- ly Sargent) order|Co. to fall in. (as Capt. passes off stage open up 4th flat, Solaiers in line. Capt. J.: Attention Company A. Present Arms! (enter Colonel Pierce, salutes.) Col. P. Shoulder Arms! Soldiers we are about to march to the scene of conflict, the sound of which now falls up- on our ears(here should be personation of Rifles in distance) The country is watching us; loved ones at home are waiting for a report from us, let us send back to them the message that our Keffiment under tire for the first time, achieved honors, worthy of veterans. Let every man stand to his post and do his duty and a Nation shall boast of our achievements. Officers take charge of your companies and set them examples worthy of imitation. (Capt. marches Co off one side stage, )Rebel Soldiers come on slowly on opposite side, a volley is fired from Union line in wings, 2 or 3 Rebels fall, then the two sic*es come on firing, advancing and retreating, just as order charge Capt. J. and Lieut. S. and one or two others fall on stage near center, the two forces then lock bayonets in upper charge, the 4th flat is opened showing Goddess of Liberty with drawn sword- Tableaux— Red fire. ACT SECOND. Scene 1st— (Open on 3rd flat) (Company discovered at stack arms, Charles spoakinj^-.) Charles: iJomrades this is the close of an eventful day, our valiant Capt. has fallen, our Lieutenants are disabled and all our non-commisioned officers above me are either killed or disabled, and now that the command of the company falls on me, what is your will? for I feel incompetent for the position, perhaps an officer from some other company can be supplied us. Carl: Poys we wants no mens from udder -companies to poss us und I wat you call it? moof dot we makeSarg't. Wads- worth our captian unt dot we done all tings VvOt he told us. Pat : Its mesilf as wouIm sicond that motion, an I see by the looks of all the Bys that the same i" the wishes of thim all, an me hero, beggin pardon I mane Lieu't, we will follow him, wherever ye lade us, an' sorry the fate of any spalpeen that attimpts to harm ye, aither be word or dade. Comrades all in favor of the motion say Aye. Ah it is as I thought, as they say in Parla;aint,it is unannymous. Chailes: Comrades jou inspire me with new zeal, 1 thank you and will do all in my power to merit the honor be- stowed on me, but my heart is Sad on account of the great sacrifice we have been called on to make to- day [enter Col. P.] [all salute] Col. P. : Sargeant Wadsworth, the command of Co. A. will devolve on you until further orders and I desire all you men to render the same obedience to him that you did to your lamented Captain. Pat. : Sure yer honor we just voted him our Capt. Col. P.: He will hold that position until further orders [as Col. starts out.) Pat. : Sure an may the orderd have a long way to thravel, and be lost by the way, or sunk in the say. [scene closes] [Chas. comes on front, seats himself smoking cigar, after a minute or two Orderly enters, salutes and hands Charles order and retires. [Charles reads) Sargeant Wadswortl, the General commanding has called on me to select some meritorious non-commisioned officer to take charge of a company of reliable men to report at once for active service, and has sent to me a commission of 1st. Lieutenant with blank space to insert such rames as I shall select, I ask of you to accept this honor, I do this from a sense of duty to you and to our country, please report at once and let me know your decision. — 9— Charles : I will report at once and learn the nature of this order, (exit) Scene 3rd — (open on 3rd flat) (Col. P. discovered seated) (enter Charles saluting.) Col. P, Be seated Sergeant, what is your decision in the matter refered to in my letter to you? Charles : Colonel, you confer on me an honor I will be pr^ud of, and place me under a debt of gratitude I fear I will never be able to repay. Col. P. It is easily repaid by devotion to your country. Charles: thanks Col. I accept and am ready to repor for duty. But Col. will I be permitted to retain my present com- pany? Col. P. You have permission to select 50 men from my Regt. who will not fear to face any danger, such is the General's order, prepare your company and report to me. (Charles salutes and starts to retire.) Col. P. Hold Sarg't. I will insert your name in this com- mission (writes and hands to Chas.) there Lieut, go and select your company (exit Charles.) Col. P. That man is destined to become a "Hero" Iknow not what duty he may be called upon to perform, but be it what it may, it will be done well. (Col. holds stage writing; Chas. is heard in 4th flat. Halt, front , right dress, front, order arms, parade, rest ! (Chas. enteis Col's, room.) Chas. Colonel, my company is full and here are their names for your approval. Col. P. A noble band. I will now read the general's orders. (Reads.) "As soon as this company is organized they will proceed at once to Kansas City, where they will be fuliy equipped and mounted. Owing to the condition of affairs at that place, it has become necessary to put the place under mar- tial law. Send only true men who will deal with treason as its merits demand. Further orders will await them there. Report by wire the name of the officer you have selected. Yours, J. C. Fremont." I have already sent your name to the General. Lieutenant, bring your company to my quarters. Chas. My company is already at your door. I will go and prepa'-e them. (Exit Chas. Colonel calls orderly to remove furniture. As Cnas. says "present arms," open screens on 4th flat.) 10— Col. p. Shoulder arms! Soldiers, j-ou are a favored company and you have for a leader one who will be all you can desire. Be true soldiers, obedient to his commands, and honor will follow all your movements. Farewell, to all of you, and 1 shall be disappointed if I do not hear good reports from you. (All respond, farewell. Col. takes Lieut's, hnnd and company march around them while tableau light burns.) Tableau. ACT THIRD. Scene 1st. — (Opens on 1st flat. When curtain rises Lieut, is discovered, seated, smoking cigar. Enter Pat. Pat. (Salutes.) Faix, Captain, — beg yer pardin, I mane Lieutinant — we have just received the flnest lot of horses that iver carried a soldier, and I have selected thefoinest of thim all for yerself. Chas. What is he like, Pat; what color, and is he nice and slick? Pat. Yes, yer Honor; he is so fat that ye can count all his ribs, and so smooth that his hair all stands the other way. Oh, but he's a beauty, and if thim bloomin' thraitors want to have a look at men that are thrue to the Union jist let them come over and — (enter orderly; salutes and hands Lieut, a message.) Chas. reads: '-Headquarters, Dept. Missouri. Lieut Wadsworth ; Information has reached me by way of a rebel de- serter that Col. White, of Lexington, is holding secret corres- pondence with rebel officers for the purpose of arranging for the surrender of his post, and that already the enemy is marching no-ainst him. Ride with all speed w^ith your couipany, and if such is the case circumvent them if you can. Let me know as early i:s possible whether the rumor is true, as this man, claim- ing to be a deserter, may only be a spy. But should his report be true, and the evidence warrants, airest the Colonel regardless of rank, and send him under guard to me. J, C. Fremont." Scene 2nd. — Open on third Hat; Col. White seated; soldiers retire to 4th flat and lie down; Lieut, enters Col. W.'s quarters. Chas. I am Lieut. Wadsworth, provost marshal of Kan- sas City. Do I address Col. White? Col. W. I am Col. White; be seated Lietenant. Chas. Thanks, Colonel, (takes seat) I heai that the enemy is marching against you, and I have been ordered to your assistance. I bring a full company and report for duty. Col. W. Lieutenant, I am ever so grateful to you, but I assure you that the rumor is false. I have videttes out for twen- — II — ty miles and hear from tbem every day^ and I assure you there was no sig;ns of an enemy at the last report. Lieutenant, send your men to the Barracks for the night and sleep soundly for no danger threatens. But liovv did this rumor reach you? Chas. Gen. Fremont has just picked up a man claiming to be a rebel deserter and it was from him the rumor started. Col. W. He must be a spy, and trying to play a part. Chas. Probably, so I will now retire. (Exit Chas.) Col. W. (alone.) Zounds! How have' my movements been betrayed? It must be as he said by some deserter; but I can now surrender with more honor, as I will now have one more company to surrender as prisoners of war: I wiU then re- ceive my commission as General in the tJonfederate Army, and will then teach General Fremont that I am not to be trifled with. I must send a courier to their lines at once, as the blow must be struck to-night. Scene 3rd.— Opens on 4th flat; soldiers sleeping; firing heard. Col. VV. steps on stage waving white fla^. Chas. and men spring up and find rebels on both sides]. Chas- Comrades, we are betrayed! See that arch-trait- lOr! Vile traitor, this is your last act on earth; die traitor doo- that thou art, and no longer disgrace the uniform you weai\ (fires; Col. falls.) Soldiers, follow me. Forward! (Fight — Tableau. -ACT FOURTH, Scene 1st — 1st and 2nd flat, Kansas City. Chas. and company. Chas* Comrades, I am proud of your valor and I con- gratulate you on your escape unharmed. We left at least twenty of the enemy on the field, that arch-traitor dead and lost not a man. 1 have dispatched a full account of the affair to the Gen- erel and have just received his answer. I will read it to you. (Reads.) "Headquarters, Department of Missouri; Lieutenant Wadsworth : Your account of the affair at Lexington has reach- ed me. and for the valor of yourself and men in cutting your way through the enemy Iherewith commission you Captain; and for your noble deed in shooting the traitor. Colonel White. I give you the noble company who followed you, with full permission to go anywhere in this department, and do what you deem best for the interests of our Government. I hereby commission your command, the First Missouri Independent Kan^ers. Keep me posted on all of your movements and if y«u need ai,sistance, your call shall be promptly responded to. By order of General J. c — 12 — Fremont." Comrades, we are now commissioned "Free Ran- gers," Let us strike deadly blows at secession and teach South- ern chivalry that treason will not be tolerated. And again, I congratulate you. Pat. Lieutenant — beg pardon, I mean Captain — I think its yerself as needs the congratulations, for divil the mother,s son of us would have rnn through that shate of fire and lead, had we not seen our gallant, leader at the front. An' who but yerael could have given that ould thraitor sich a fair thrial an' executed the sentence wid such cool- ness and dispatch. Sure the mane rascal wanted us all en- trapped entirely. But hoora ! boys, we can now have a chance to look after them spalpeen bushwhackers ph^at thried to shoot a poor ould Irish gintleman like me, when he was only going over to the ould sthill house to see if he could find a drap of something to trate his captain wid. Chas. Yes, Pat, we will look after them and try to teach them better manners; but you may all retire until roll call. (Close scene. Biddy holds stage with letter from Pat. Biddy. (Reads,) In camp near Kansas City, Jooly 62. Dear Biddy : Having a little p'ace and quietness, I sit down to let ye know how we are getting along, indade we are not o-etting along atall, at all; we can get nothing to ate, (Biddy wipes" her eyes with her apron and says: "Poor Pat.") an, no wine to drink but whi5ky(poor Pat; I wish I could help iiim drink that) an' every thing is confusion and danger. Even as we sit down to ate we have to kape both hands armed. While I write this I hold a pistol in aich hand and a sword in the other; in fact, there is such goings on here that everything is at a standstill. Only last week we got word that the Rebs. were advancing under Frinch colors; but they had no colors at all. only a flag. They had no guns except cutlashes and swords, and as we had plenty of muskets we soon put them all to the sword. Kot a soul of them escaped except a few who were drownded in a pond nearby, and shortly, nothing could be heard but silence. I should have answered your letter a fortnight ago only I jist resaved it till to-dav. I have only time to add that I am in great haste. Pat Donovan.— P. S. If this don't reach you, write and let me know. Pat" Well, I must go and write the poor mon a letther. (Exit Biddy. Scece 2.— Soldiers in line. Chas. Seargeant call the roll, (Some one calls : Capt. —13— Wadswortb, Seargt. Eagen, Seargt. Donovan. (Seargt. Donovan — no answer. Chas. Perhaps he has gone over to the old still house. He had better be careful, for bushwhackers are plentiful about here. (Commotion outside in wings; Pat is heard. Pat. Get along here ye bloody spalpeens, and perhaps the Captain will give ye all a furlough for a thrip to purgatory. (Enters with three men, tied, their guns on his shoulder. Chas. Hello, Pat, what have you there? Pat. Three bloody bushwhackers, yer Honor. Arnn't they beauties? Chas. Pat, tell vis how you have them here. Surely three such fellow* as thev, ought to get away with you. Pat. Sure, Captain, 'an I surrounded them an' took ad- vantage of ihem, and before they knew it I had them tied, hand and fut. Chas. Pat, tell us how you managed it. Pat. Well, then. It's meself that was goin* over to the ould sthill house when be chance I diskivered these three rascals comin' along the road. I said to meself, "Now, Pat, let's see phat ye can do," So I jumped into the bush and when they got jist forninst me, 1 j-.imped out wid me gun an' I says : "Lie down yer arrums or fifty bullets will go t'rou'gh your hearts this min- ute." They lay down their guns and I then called out. "B'ys kape them covered till I tie 'em," an' I then went up to them an' tied them as ye see, an' then took up their guns, an' me own and made them come along to see me Captain. Chas. Pat, you are a noble fellow, and I will reccom- inend you for promotion. Pat. Thanks, Captain, jist recommend me for General, or Pave me Pat Donovan, as I am. Chas. All right, Pat. Take charge of your prisoners and I will see them later, (Pat picks up giins and calls to brison- crs. Fat. Come on je spalpeens. (Exit Pat and prisoners. Scene closes; some good solo, or lightning drill to hold stage. Scene 3rd. — Full Stage, soldiers resting at ease. Enter orderly with message, salutes, hands Captain message and retires* Chas. (Reads.) "Captain Wadsworth: lam exceed- ingly sorry to have to announce to you an orde" from the War Department at Washington, but although I have tried every --I 4— meais to have the order revoked, it still stands, and as a soldier it is my duty to obey. Yourself and conipany have been order- ed, through me, to report at an early day to General Stoneman, in the Army of the Potomac. And now thanking you for the great service you have rendered this department, I ask of you to obey this order and report to General Stoneman with your company at an early a day as possible. Yours truly, J. C. Fremont." Chas. Soldiers, we have been ordered to leave this de- partment and report to General Stone nan, in the Armj of the Potomac, but before leaving this department we will parole the bushwhacker that we arrested for the fourth time this morning. Sargeant Donovan, bring John Thomas out. (Exit Pat and brings prisoner in with hands tied; Chas reads death sentence; prisoner standing. Chas. (Reads.) John Thomas, for the fourth time y.ou have been arrested. Twice we paroled you on your honor and once on your oath, and yet this morning you was caught in the act of assassinating one of our number. Yet, Instead of resort- ing to Lynch law, you have been given a fair and impartial trial, and have been found guilty. Since then, you have boasted of the number of Union men you have killed. You have been sentenced to death and I have just received from the General the contirma- ation of the sentence; and while it is a painful duty, it is neces- sary that bushwhackers should know that their work \« cold blooded murder, and that no mercy hereafter wil be extended to them. (Have prisoner kneel; 6 of the company, as tjlaptain motions, steps to left side of stage in front of prisoner and the order is given by Chas. At command, ''aim,'* 4th Hat opens. Chas. Ready, aim, fire! (Tableau — red light. God- dess of libery omitted in this tableau, ACT FIFTH. On Potomac. Scene 1st,— Open on third flat ; Gen. Stoneman seated; enter Chas. Chas. I am Captain Wadsworth. * have I the honor of addressing General Stoneman? Gen, S. I am General Stoneman, and I flatter myself —15-- : that I have the honor of welcoming the Hero of Lexinojton, Welcome, Captain, welcome. Chas. General, I was at Lexington, b- t > I my duty as a soldier. I am o(-dered to report to you foi uuty, and I am proud to say that I bring lif ty as brave men as ever laced a foe. Gen. 8. Captain. I am aware of that, and it was only after the moJU extreme efforts that I got you transferred to my command. I again extend you welcome, (gives hand) and shall, so far as in my power, give you the same freedom you have been accustomed to and use you principally as scouts. Chas. Tbanks, General. I shall await with pleasure any orders from yOvi. (Close screen in front of iStoneman, leav- ing 1st and 2nd flats open. Enter Chas. and company. As Chas. seals himserf let company march on front of stage. Silent drill — front to audience; stand at ''shoulder arms;" with left hand raise caps at same time; replace them and go through manual of arms: Present, shoulder, order, shoulder, in single file, right face, file right, marcb, file right. Come in front of captain, and pass around him; countermarch in rear of him, halt, front, order arms, parada rest. All this should be done in perfect order and in silence. — Enter orderly with orders. Chas. (Reads.) "Captain Wadsworth; I desire to see you at once. Stoneman." Chas. I will go at once. "Attention, company I Shoul- der arms! Right face! (single file) Countermarch by file left, march! (Pass into wings and halts. Stage opens on Gen. S. Enter Chas; salutes Chas . General, I am at your service. Gen. S. I have service for you that is of a very danger- ous nature but I know I can rely on you, and will not insult your past history by asking if you will undertake it. Chas. War in any form is full of danger. General, please make known your wishes. Gen. S. You will take your company and go to the Quartermaster who will supply you with Rebel uniforms,(any old clothes, with slouch hats will do)put them on and pass through our lines by the way of Culpepper. Go as near Rich- mond as possible, learn the roads, the position of the enemy, s works as near as possible and then report to mel thus, opening up the way for a gene ral cavalry m ov^ment. rely on your own strategy to accomplish your mission and bring — 16— you safely back. Chas. General, when shall I start? Gen. S. At dusk to-night arrangements will be made with the out-posts to pass you through our lines. Chas. Thank you, General; You may expect a good report. (Close scene back of lirst flat. If person can be found for lightning drill, let him hold stage; if not, have camp scene. Scene 2nd.— Turn down lights. Soldiers pass around quickly to 4th flat at first bell; at second bell open full stage. Soldiers in 4th flat; Chas speaking: Chas. Soldiers, our raid has been a successful one, but again, as at Lexington, we are surrounded by the enemy and our only hope is, as there, to cut our way througu. Kemember we are in Rebel uniform and can expect no mercy from them. Let us trust in God and our arms and we will escape. We must leave our horses and make our way on foot. Keep well together and follow me. (Pistol fight on part of Union, pistols or muskets on part of Rebels, as red light starts, Chas. falls, Carl runs to him; Rebel attempts to stab Carl with sword. Chas. shoots Rebel. Curtain falls. ACT SIXTH. Scene 1st.— Full stage. Hospital scene. Cot on third flat; Chas. lying on cot, Alice seated by his side. Alice. Chas, how do you feel to-day? Chas. Alice, I think I am getting stronger, but it is hard to lie here when I ought to be with my men. Alice. Charles, I heaid from home to-day and they are anxiously waiting for you to recover sufiiciently to come home on furlough. But here comes the General to see you. (Alice rises and steps back to a seat near the wings. Enter Gen. S. Gen. S. Capt. Wadsworth, (extending hand) I am glad to meet you ao;ain. The Surgeon informed me that you was fast recovering and gave me permission to call on you. I must con- gratulate you on the noble achievements of yourself and men in your late raid, although I regret your misfortune. Your journal was so complete that it enabled my corps to ride right into the fortifications of Richmond and to disable a large number of their guns. It was hazardous on your part and it seems miraculous that you escaped with all your men. (Notices Alice.) But who have we here? Her gentle nursing is undoubtedly —17— the cause of yonr rapid recovery and I would thank the lady for what she has done for you. Chas. (calls) Alice! (Alice steps to his side.) Gener- al Stoneman, allow me to present Miss All ice Eandall, my affi- anced bride, and as one who loves her country with all the de- votion of a soldier. Gen. S. Miss Eandall, (takes her hand) allow me to coni^ratulate you, as being the affianced bride of one of the most daring and heroic men in the United States Array, and to thank you for your gentle nursing. Alice. Thanks, General, I believe Charles is all you claim for him, basing my opinion on history, but undoubtedly many others would have done as much under similar circumstan- ces. Chas. Let flattery cease, and fell me, General, how soon will I be able to report for duty? Gen. S. Just as soon, Captain, as you are able to enter upon the duties of home life. The war is about over and you will not be called upon as a soldier during the few days Rebel- lion has to live. Your achievements in and about Lexington have been eclipsed by your later ones, in and about Richmond, and again, ere leaving you, I extend my thanks and pronounce you a "Hero," (Exit Gen. 8. Alice. Oh, Charles! I am so glad you can return home with me. So long as there was a probability of your services being needed by our country, I w'as willing to risk all, but from what the General says, friends "will soon be all united. Chas. Xot all, Alice. Alice. No, alas, not all, (Scene closes, Pat comes on from one side, Carl from the other; Meet. Pat. Carl, I am giad to meei ye. I have some fine news for ye. I found the ould gal and the childer all vvell an' they have been havin' splendid times since I've been gone, and I was jist afther hearing that our Captain was home an' wa« goin' to call on him. Carl. Shoost vat I coom dis vay for, so coom on, unt ve vill go by der Gaptain unt see how he vas. (As they leave, stage opens on home again. Scene. 2nd— Mr. W., Mrs. W. and two — 18— girls, Mrs. W. I think we should hear how Charles is tO'day. It has been several days since Alice wrote he was fast recovering;. Mr. W. i^oble girl. It is to her kind care we owe the life of our darling boy. Chas. (Speaking at the door while Alice enters) Yes, kind parents, only for oer gentle care, I should not be here; or so soon, at least, (Salutations.) Mrs. W. Thank God ! the was is ended and Charles is restored to us. Chas. Rather let us thank him for the restoration of the Union, for that is what we risked our lives for. Mrs. W. Yes, let us thank Hnii for the restoration of the Union and of friends. But while we rejoice let us also sympa- thize with those whose friends lie in a distant state, and ever stand ready to relieve the maimed heroes of our country, and the widows and orphans of our fallen ones. (Door epens, enter Carl. Carl. Hoora! How you all vas. I yoost coom py to see der Gabtain unt to tank him for de vay he made dot Repel led loose from me, ven he vas yoost aboud to stick his pig sheese knife in me. Mine Gott! I fought I vas a goner, ven pop goes der Gaptain's pistol und off rolls der Repel. Chas. That's all right, Carl. (Enter Pat.) Pat. Sure, an' it's mesels wud niver have seen Biddy an' the childer again only for me Captain. Chas. Say no more about it, boys, but stay and see my happiness made complete. Carl, you go and bring a Chaplain Pat. you go for Biddy; and you and I Alice, will go and prepare ourselves for the happy event. Carl. Yoost you folks sing somedings, und I go py der chaplain's. (Exit Pat, Carl, Chas. and Alice. Quartette holds stage with two selections. At 1st bell quartette step two on each side of stage; at 2nd bell screen opens full sta^-e. Wedding scene; tableau, "Hopes Realized"— Goddess of Liberty holding wreath over Charles' head. As red fire is lighted, Carl steps for- waxl, pointing at Charles and says "Der Hero of Lexington." CAST OF CHARACTERS. m. Wadsworth An Old Man. Mrs. Wadsworth An Old Lady. Emma and Celia Wadsworth The Daughters. CHAKLIE WADSWORTH The Hero. ALICE RANDALL The Heroine. Colonel Pierce A War Officer. Captain Judd ditto. Lieutenant Smith ditto. Pat Donovan An Irishman. Carl Schmitt A Dutchman. Biddy Donovan An Irish Lady. General Stoneman Cavalry Commander. Colonel White A Traitor. %^ "i^: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■Hi 016 103 442 3 kz