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 *' Picket Guards 
 
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 A Military Drama. 
 
A NllLITARY DrATvIA 
 
 IINTITLED 
 
 THE PICKET GUARDS 
 
 OR 
 
 A Day with our SoIvDibrs on the Picket Lines 
 
 DURING THE War of the REBEIvIvION. 
 
 Commencing with the Dawn of Day, (Reveille). 
 Ending with Taps at Night, (Tattoo). 
 
 Including the Calls, with Bugle, Drum and Fife, 
 
 .a 
 
 J Music and Songs as Played and Sung ^^--<T^ 
 
 at that Period. /<C' ^^^ 
 
 
 Composed and Dramatized 
 Joseph Woodfield, 
 
 CAMDEN, N. J. 
 I^ate Corporal E Co., ist Reg. Del Cav. 
 

 SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 Overture, "77/^ Daivning of the Day and Quick Scotchy'' 
 
 Orchestra. 
 
 ACX I. 
 
 Scene I St. Picket Post. Reveille. Breakfast. Arrest of Gabe 
 the contraband. Negro eccentricities. 
 
 Scene 2d. Home of Capt. Harry Johnson. Meeting of brother 
 and sister. 
 
 Scene 3d, Capt. Cushman's tent. Southern lady demands 
 her slave. 
 
 Scene 4th. Gabe captures a rooster. Chased by Confederates. 
 Black cat substituted for rooster by soldiers. 
 
 Scene ^th. Dinner call. Gabe steals chicken from kettle. Puts 
 cat in kettle for soldier's dinner. 
 
 Scene 6th. Capt. Cushmau at dinner. Battle between Union 
 and Rebel Pickets. Sword fight between Union 
 and Rebel Captains. The Dying Picket. Song: 
 "Who will care for mother now." Tableaux. 
 
 ACX ir. 
 
 Overture. — Orchestra. 
 
 Scene ist. Corpl. O'Shaunasy and Gabe comment on the war. 
 
 Scene 2d. Sutler's tent. Soldiers purchasing with tickets. 
 Gabe entertains himself with music, etc. 
 
 TMP92-007646 
 
SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY continued. 
 
 Scene 4th. 
 
 Scene ist. 
 Scene 2d. 
 Scene jd. 
 
 Scene J df. Gabe arrested. Tried by Drumhead Court Mar- 
 shal ; sentenced to be promoted ; sentence carried 
 out with a Barrel. 
 
 Corpl. and Gabe captured by Rebels. Corpl. and 
 Gabe in Rebel guard house. "Song: In the Pri- 
 son Cell I Sit." Re-captured b}- Union Pickets. 
 Song: "When Johnnie comes Marching Home." 
 Meeting of Capt. Cushman and Miss Johnson. 
 Capt. Cushman captured by Rebels Released 
 by Gabe. Capt. Cushman captures Miss John- 
 son's heart. Song: "When this Cruel War is 
 over." Gabe sscys, another breastwork captured. 
 Tableaux. 
 
 ACX iir. 
 
 Overture. — Orchestra. 
 
 Gabe plays a joke on Sergt. and Corpl. 
 
 Raid on Sutler's tent. Amusements before Tattoo. 
 
 Tattoo. The soldiers' dream. Tableaux and Song, 
 * 'The vacant chair. ' ' "Taps. ' ' 
 
 STAGE PROPERTY. 
 
 I^arge tent for Senior Capt. and Sutler, Gas Log, large Iron 
 Kettle, small Tin Kettle for soup inside Iron Kettle, 2 Fork 
 Sticks and Cross Piece to hang Kettle on. Flour Barrel, one 
 head hole in same, Corpl. Stripes on each side of Barrel, Black 
 Cloth Cat, Chicken Dressed, Live Rooster, Grain Bag, Snake 
 Fence, 2 Camp Stools, Small Table, Canteens and Haversacks. 
 
CHARACTERS. 
 
 Capt. Geo. Cushman, Officer of the day, U. S. A. 
 Capt. Harry Johnson, C. S. A. 
 Miss Laura Johnson, Southern Lady. 
 Sergt. Wiluams, Sergeant of Guards. 
 Corpi,. Miles O'Shaunasy, Corporal of Guard. 
 Gabe Johnson, Contraband. 
 Union Pickets. 
 Confederate Pickets. 
 
 ACT ist. Scene ist. 
 
 Picket Post with stack of arms, right of stage ; 
 Sergt. and four Pickets lying down asleep ; Corporal 
 sitting on camp-stool ; i picket on Guard. 
 
 Corporal — "It's time for Reveille." (Corporal re- 
 tires, bugle sounds Reveille at distance ; then sounds 
 Assembly. Pickets rise, fall in, rear of guns ; soldiers 
 run on from left of stage, putting on their coats, fall in 
 line single-file.) 
 
 Sergt. — Take arms. Forms two lines (two ranks 
 form Company "March"); form on left of Pickets. 
 Corporal hands Sergeant Roll of Names ; Sergt. calls 
 Roll ; Pickets and Soldiers answer to their names ; 
 then Sergt. takes right of line. Officer of the Day ap- 
 
proaches from right of stage ; Sergt. salutes and re- 
 ports all present, and absentees accounted for. Officer 
 passes down in front of line, tells Sergt. to dismiss 
 Company. Officer salutes and retires, left of stage. 
 Soldiers left flank and march off, left of stage 
 
 Sergt. — Stack arms. Breaks (Pickets) ranks and 
 tells them to get breakfast. Pickets light fire, and 
 hold cups as if cooking coffee ; then begin to eat hard 
 tack and drink. Sergt. takes seat on camp stool. 
 Corporal takes Hard Tack (army cracker) from haver- 
 sack and lays it on stage while he gets his cup. Hard 
 Tack previously connected to side of stage with fine 
 thread ; some one in the wing pulls on thread, cracker 
 starts slowly aw^ay from Corporal ; Corporal catches 
 Hard Tack and exclaims : Oh ! murther, look at the 
 tinnents carrying their house away wid thim. Come 
 back here ye O mad houns and pay your rint Breaks 
 cracker so thread can be pulled away Sergt. takes 
 paper out of his pocket. 
 
 Sergt. — "Corpl., I read bad news in this paper last 
 night. The rebel Ram Merrimac came down from 
 Norfolk and attacked the Frigate Cumberland and 
 Congress, sunk both vessels, with a loss of several hun- 
 dred lives ; but the next day, the little floating cheese- 
 box or Monitor appeared in the Chesapeake Ba}^ and 
 attacked the Merrimac, which was at this time about 
 to ram the steam Frigate Minnesota. The Monitor 
 steamed up between the two vessels and had the fire of 
 the rebel directed upon herself. After a spirited battle 
 the Merrimac withdrew from the contest, defeated, and 
 proceeded up the Elizabeth River w^hence she came." 
 
(Pickets hurrah for the Monitor). 
 
 Corpl. — "Well yez might hurra b3'es, that was close 
 fightin. Sure I'd rather be behind the trees takin me 
 chances wid the Minnie balls, as me ould man use to 
 say he'd ra\ ther be at the other ind of the goat whin it 
 tried to but': him." 
 
 /^//^/r/'6V.— "Turn out. The Officer of the Day is 
 coming." 
 
 Sergt. — "Fall in, Guards !" (Pickets put their cups 
 in haversacks and fall i'n rear of guns.) 
 
 Scrgt. — "Take arms ! Carry arms !" (Enter Officer 
 of Day, right of stage.) 
 
 Sergt. — "Present arms!" (Sergt. salutes, Capt. re- 
 turns salute.) "Carry arms ! Order arms!" 
 
 Capt. — "Sergeant, the Commanding General has 
 just issued orders to keep a sharp look -cut for the 
 enemy, as they are likely to advance on our lines at 
 any moment " 
 
 Sergt. — 'Yes sir ; I have noticed that the rebels 
 have been moving very lively this morning ; I expect 
 there is a battle brewing." 
 
 Capt — "Quit^ likely we will be engaged before the 
 day is over." 
 
 Sergt. — "I suppose you read the news about the 
 battle betwen the Monitor and Merrimac ?" 
 
 Capt. — "Yes; a lucky event for our Union when 
 the Monitor came tv) the assistance of our vessels, 
 otherwise tbe Merrimac would have sunk our fleet, 
 
battered down Fortress Monroe, then steamed up the 
 Potomac River to Washington, and you know what 
 the result would be." (Noise back of scene, between^ 
 Picket No. 2 and Gabe the contraband ; No. 2 Picket 
 calls Corporal of the Guard Post No 2 ; Picket No. r 
 repeats call ; Corporal runs in direction of Picket, left 
 of stage, arrests Gabe and returns, challenged by No. 
 I who comes there, etc. Corporal advances from left 
 of stage, with prisoner (Gabe) complaining about being 
 arrested ; making loud noise. 
 
 Sergt. — ** Silence! Corporal, who have you got 
 there?" 
 
 Corp' I — "A contraryband, sir." 
 
 Sergt — "You mean a contraband." 
 
 Corpl. — "Sure he's the contrariest nagur I've met 
 since I've been in the army, and the Picket says he 
 caught him sphying around our Posht " 
 
 Sergt. — "Spying aroung our Post ?" 
 
 Corpl. — " Yis sir. " (Sergeant salutes and reports to 
 Captain.) 
 
 Capt. — "What is your nimie ?" 
 
 Contraband — "Gabe. sah. Gabe Johnsing, sar; 
 named after ole; Mars Johnsing, back oa de plantation, 
 sah ; he dun rua away, sah ; cause he hern de Yankees 
 was comiui" 
 
 Capt. — "Well, what have got to say ? You are re- 
 ported spying around our picket post." 
 
 Gabe — "Deed, sah, I want doin no harm. Ole Marse, 
 
he run dat way an I dun run dis way, den I spied a 
 possum up a tree, den bang went a gun ; den kazue ! 
 something flew p-^st my ear, I thot fo suah I was a 
 dead nigger. Den somebody grabs me and 5:ay you my 
 prisoner. I tries to s plain to him ; but he wouldn't 
 listen, and fotch me htre." 
 
 'Capt — "Do you know that you are liable to be shot 
 as a s^ 3' ?" 
 
 Gabc — (Falling on his knees) "Oh! Mars Captain, 
 please doan let em shoot at me any moah, dey might 
 hit me de nex time." 
 
 Capt. — "Come, get up!" (Gabe rises, takes torn 
 handkerchief from pocket to wipe his eyes, handker- 
 chicf sl:ps down on wrist. Puts handkerchief in front 
 of his face.) 
 
 Gabc — "Captain, what dat look like ?" 
 
 Capt. — "It lool^s like a map of the Southern Con- 
 federacy." 
 
 Gabc — "Wid a nigger in de back-ground." 
 
 Capt. — ' 'Your story sounds pretty straight, I suppose 
 you are like the rest of the contrabands, you will want 
 to remain with the Union Soldiers. How would you 
 like to be my cook ?'' 
 
 Gabc — I'se your man. I kin cook, wash dishes, an 
 am a reglar house- keeper." (Laugbs very loud.) 
 Someone repeats at a distance, like an echo. 
 
 (jabc — (Very much frightened.) "What's dat ? 
 
 O//.—* That's the echo." 
 
 8 
 
6^^/^^— ''What's de echo?" 
 
 Capt. — "A sound vibrating through the woods. 
 
 Gabe — (Whistles, echo at distance) "Is dat anoder 
 echo ?" 
 
 C<2/»/.— "Yes." 
 
 Gabe — "Hole on, Mars Captain ; I fool dat echo ; 
 my gal lives over dar." (Calls in loud voice "Marier!" 
 Echo, 'You're a liar !" Gabe, very angry, starts in 
 direction of echo.) 
 
 C<2j^/.— "Where are you going ?" (Catches Gabe by 
 the arm.) 
 
 Gabe — "I was gwine to cotch dat fellow what called 
 me a liar." 
 
 Capt. — "Oh, nonsense. I tell you that it is only 
 the sound ot your voice in the woods." 
 
 Gabe. — "Mars Captain, lemme try him agin." Claps 
 his hands once, (echo, once); claps twice, (echo, twice); 
 opens his arms and brings his hands together once, re- 
 peats same but brings his arms across his body; (echo, 
 claps). "Dar, I tole you so, I didn't clap dat time." 
 
 Capt. — "That was an echo from one of your former 
 sma:ks just returned ; wait and you will not hear it 
 agam. See?" 
 
 Gabe. — "Yes, sah ; I doan see much, but I hearn 
 more dan I likes ; sounds like spooks." 
 
 Capt.—''h\\ right. It is settled then, I will leave 
 you with the boys; but have my breakfast ready when 
 I call for it." 
 
Gabe —"Yes, sah ; I'll be dar." 
 
 Capt. — (to Sergt.) "I will retire to my tent ; you 
 will promptly notify me if anything unusual occurs." 
 (Capt. salutes and retires, right of stage. Corpl. re- 
 lieves Picket). 
 
 Scrgt.—''St2iQk arms ! Break ranks ! &c. "Gabe ! 
 you are a comical coon, can you sing us a song ?" 
 
 Soldiers.— ''Song, Song." (Gabe sings song; re- 
 peats if called on.) 
 
 Sergt. — ''That's pretty good ; you had better report 
 to the Captain and get his breakfast." (Gabe ^tires 
 right of stage.) (Sergt. marches Pickets off the right 
 of stage.) 
 
 ACT ist. Scene 2d. 
 
 Home of Capt. Harry Johnson, C. S. A. 
 
 Miss Johnson heard singing at a distance. 
 
 Enter Miss Laura Johnson from left of stage at conclu- 
 sion of last verse of Bonnie Blue Flag. 
 
 Miss Laura. — 'Here I am all alone again ; our last 
 slave has ran away and gone over to those Yankee 
 hirelings Gab- told me last night that the Yankee 
 Pickets were on our Plantation. Oh, how I wish 
 brother Harry was here with his brave Southern men 
 and drive those horrid Yankees off our place." 
 
 Enter Capt. Johnson, right of stage, (embraces her.) 
 
 Capt. Joh7iso7i. — "Well, I^aura, I see you are all 
 
alone, what is the trouble now ? Where is all the 
 hands?" 
 
 Miss Laura. — "They have all run away, but my 
 maid ; the best one we had, left this morning. How 
 about yourself, do you know that the Yankees are on 
 our Plantation now ?" 
 
 Capt. Harry, — ^ 'Oh., yes. I managed to pass their 
 Pickets unobserved. But I must not stay long, my 
 place is with the boys. I think we are going to have 
 a lively time of it to-day, so I would advise you to 
 keep within doors as much as possible." 
 
 Miss Laura. — " Harry, i tell you what I am going 
 to do. I shall call on that Yankee Capt. over there 
 and compel him to deliver Gabe over to me. We 
 must have one man on the place." 
 
 Capt. Harry — "I do not think you will succeed in 
 getting Gabe back again, I may meet them in a fight 
 to day and if we succeed in the battle, I may have the 
 pleasure of returning Gabe to you ; however be very 
 careful, do not expose yourself, those Yankee Officers 
 have a very captivating way about them and one of 
 them may be successful in capturing you. 
 
 Miss Lau7'a. — "No danger, Harry, my heart is with 
 the Southern cause and no Yankee Officer can capture 
 it." 
 
 Capt. Harry. — "Well Laura, I must bid you good- 
 bye, it is tirxie for me to join my command." (embraces 
 her, and retires to right.) 
 
 Miss Laura. — (Following him out.) "Good bye, 
 
Harry, may God bless you and our just cause.' 
 
 ACT I St. Scene 3d. 
 
 Enter CapT. right of stage. (Sits at table writing.) 
 
 Crt/)/.— ''Well, I have finished my report." (Calls 
 Orderly.) 
 
 Enter Orderi^y right of stage and salutes. 
 
 Capt. — "Deliver this to the Colonel, with my com- 
 pliments." (Orderly retires right of stage.) 
 
 Capt. — "I guess I will have my breakfast now." 
 (Calls Gabe.) 
 
 Enter Gabe, right of stage. ''Yes, Sir." 
 
 Capt. — "Have you got my breakfast ready ? I'm 
 hungry." 
 
 Gabe., — "Yes, Sah ; breakfast all ready but settin." 
 (Clears table.) "I'll go fotch it.' (Exit Gabe 
 to right.) Then returns with haversack, containing 
 tin-plate, cup and hard tack and black cup hanging 
 on end of stick, as if from a fire. Gabe arranges table. 
 
 Capt. — "Gabe, is this the best you can do." 
 
 Gabe. — "Best I can do uuder de presen circum- 
 stancts , I aiut had no chance to forage yet, sah." 
 
 Capt. — "This a very poor breakfast for a commis- 
 sioned officer, but I suppose I will have to put up 
 
 with it." (Commences to eat.) 
 
 Gabe. — "Is you fond of chicken, sah?" 
 
Capt. — *'Yes ; I am particularly fond of chicken. 
 Why?" 
 
 Gabe. — ' 'Cause I know whar dere is a chicken house; 
 I'll try and cotch yo one for ^ o dinner. Very ticklish 
 though ; plenty ob rebs roun dar." 
 
 Capt. — "Be very careful or you will get caught 
 yourself. ' ' 
 
 Gabe. — "If dey cotch dis coon dere will be a lively 
 foot race befo dat happens shuah." 
 
 Capt. — "Clear away the table, Gabe. (Clears the 
 table and retires.) (Orderly enters to right, salutes.) 
 "Captain, a lady to see you, Sir." 
 
 G?/*/.— "Admit her." (Exit Orderly, saluting.) 
 
 Enter Southern I^ady from right of stage. 
 
 Lady. — "How do you do. Sir ?" (Very dignified.) 
 
 Capt. — (Rising.) "How do you do, Madam. Whom 
 have I the pleasure of addressing ?" 
 
 Lady. — "Laura Johnson, Sir." 
 
 Capt. — "What can I do for you. Miss Johnson ?" 
 
 Lady. — "One of oui: slaves escaped ; I was told he 
 had entered the Union lines ; the men lolks are all ab- 
 sent. If this slave is with your soldiers, I demand 
 that he be delivered into my possession at once." 
 
 Capt. — "What is his name ?" v 
 
 Z^^.— "Gabe, Sir." 
 
 Capt, — "A colored man by that name is now within 
 13 
 
the Union lines ; we have received orders to protect all 
 colored people that may claim our protection." 
 
 Lady. — (Indignantly.) "So you lefuse to deliver 
 up my property ?" (Gabe at side shaking his head 
 
 *'No.") 
 
 Capt. — ' 'I must positively decline to grant your re- 
 quest, Madam." 
 
 Lady. — ' 'It is a shame , our men have all gone to 
 fight for their rights, the slaves have escaped. No one 
 to take care of the plantation." 
 
 Capt. — "Such is the fortune of war. Madam." 
 
 Lady. — (In anger.) "Sir, you Northern people have 
 despoiled our land, robbed us of our slaves. I hope 
 to see the day that the tyrannical Yankees will be 
 driven Irom our Southern soil." 
 Exit lad}^ to right of stage. 
 
 Capt. — (Whistles) "My! aint she a scorcher?" 
 "And a devlish fine looking girl too." 
 
 Enter Gabe from left of stage. 
 
 Gabe. — "Captain, I was awful afraid Miss Laura 
 would suade you to sen me back again ; dere ain men- 
 ny men dat kin refuse her." 
 
 Capt. — "In this case, it is not the men, it is our 
 Government , it is time for me to visit the Pickets. 
 (Exit Capt. to right.) 
 
 Gabe. — "Time for de Captain to visit de Pickets ; I 
 guess its time fer me to visit de chicken-house." (Gabe 
 removes table and stool to right of stage.) 
 
 14 
 
ACT ist. Scene 4th. 
 
 Knter Gabe very cautiously with a bag, crosses the 
 stage, reaches down at hole and pulls out live rooster 
 and puts it in bag. Rebel Picket at distance tells him 
 to drop that chicken ; Gabe starts to run ; Rebel 
 Picket after bim across the stage ; Goes around the 
 scene, comes back, meets Union Picket right of stage, 
 gun aiming at Rebel. Picket cries "Halt ! Surrender!" 
 Rebel — "Yank, you've got the drop on me I surren- 
 der." (Lays down gun.) Union Picket takes up rebel 
 gun and marches Rebel off the right of stage. (Enter 
 Gabe left of stage, out of breath, opposite side of stage 
 without bag. 
 
 Gabe, — "G~>lly ! dat was a foot-race ; he like to cotch 
 me." 
 
 Eater Captain, right of stage. 
 
 C(^;^/.— "Attention ! What's the trouble now ?" 
 
 Gabe. — "While you was visitin de Pickets, I went 
 visitin de chicken-house, an a Rebel liked to stick me 
 with his bayonet ; but I chased de Rebel in de Union 
 lines." 
 
 - Capt, — "Who got into the Union lines first ?" 
 
 Gabe. — "Me, sah ; I kotched two roosters at once 
 dat time." 
 
 Capt. — "Well did you get a chicken ?" 
 
 Gabe.— ''Oh. yes, sah. I'll go an fotch him." (Exit 
 Gabe left of stage.) Returns with bag over shoulder. 
 
 15 
 
*'I got him, sah ; big live rooster." (Opens bag, out 
 junaps big black cat, some one has duplicated.) 
 
 Gabe. — (Very frightened.) ''Golly ! Mars Captain, 
 dais de debil, shuah." 
 
 Capt. — **I don't see much devil about it, neither am 
 I a Chinaman. I am not partial to cats for dinner." 
 
 Gabe. — (Scratching his head ) "I know what's de 
 matter; dem soldiers don stole de Captain's rooster. 
 Captain, you'll hab chicken fer dinner yet ; you hear 
 me tell you ?" 
 
 Capt. — Very well, I will retire to my tent, and ex- 
 pect to have my dinner without any cats connected 
 with it. ' (Exit Captain right of stage.) 
 
 Gabe. — **Yes, sah ; I spect somebody else will hab 
 pleasure ob de cat dinner." (Exit Gabe left of stage.) 
 
 ACT ist. Scene 5th. 
 
 Camp-fire, large kettle hanging over fire ; soldier 
 cooking dinner. 
 
 Enter Gabe right of stage. 
 
 Gabe. — "Hello ; cooking dinner ?" 
 
 Soldier.— ''Y^^.'' 
 
 Gabe. — "What's yo cookin ?" 
 
 Soldier. — "Only a piece of salt pork." 
 
 Gabe. — (Aside.) "Dat's de Captain's chicken. I 
 smell him." 
 
 16 
 
Gabe. — ' Dat's poor eatia when dere is plen'y oh 
 fresh pork runnin roun. I saw a little pig runnin dov, u 
 by the fence ju^t now." 
 
 Soldier, — (Jumps up.) "A pig ! Which way ?" 
 
 Gabe. — "Rigtit ober dar." (Exit soldier left of stage.) 
 
 Gabe steals chicken out of kettle, burns his fingers, 
 drops it on the stage, rolls it in h's haidkercliief. starts 
 off, chicken drops through hole in handkerchief, then 
 ties handkerchief around chicken's neck and retires to 
 right of stage. Conies back with dead cat (and de cat 
 came back), and puts it in kettle. (Exit Gabe to 
 right.) "Dey won't fool dis coon much." 
 
 Enter soldier left of stage . 
 
 Soldier. — "C.mfound that nigger ; he made a fool of 
 me ; I couldn't find any pig." (Bugle sounds dinner- 
 call.) Rest of Pickets run on right of stage, fall in 
 line with their tin cups. 
 
 Sergt. — "Cook, what have you got for dinner ?" 
 
 Soldier. — (Aside.) "I stole the nigger's chicken 
 and cooked it for dinner ! Mum's the word." 
 
 Sergt. — "All right, dish it out." Soldier dips soup 
 to each man. They pU pretend to eat. After supply- 
 ing the last man, soldier dips out the cat and drops it. 
 
 Soldier. — "Great Scott ! W lere's that nigger ?" All 
 run off left of stage trying to throw up their dinner. 
 
 17 
 
ACT ist. Scene 6th. 
 
 Enter Captain to right, 
 
 Capt. — "I have been promised a good dinner. I 
 wonder .where the cook is ?" (Calls cook.) 
 
 Gabe.—''Yts sah." (Enter Gabe to left.) 
 
 Capt. — "Dinner ready, Gabe?" 
 
 Gabe. — "Yes sah ; I "11 go fotch it." Gabe returns 
 with table and camp-stool ; then chicken on tin plate ; 
 haversack ; black cup of coffee ; then sets table. 
 
 r^/>/— (Sitting down.) "Oh, that looks better than 
 a cat dinner." 
 
 Gabe. — ' Yes sah ; de cat aint in it dis time." (Capt. 
 eats dinner in conversation with Gabe. (Exit Gabe.) 
 Bugle or long roll on Drum at distance. 
 
 Capt. — (Jumping up.) "Hello ! The rebels must be 
 advancing ! 
 
 Capt. retires to right. Enter Gabe and removes ta- 
 ble. Enter Capt , Rally boys ; Pickets rush on right 
 of stage, form squart^ at charge bayonets. Captain in 
 centre. Gabe outside. 
 
 Capt. — "Carry arms; Right and left into line, 
 march !" Capt. and Gabe in rear. Gabe lying on 
 ground. Rebels yell. 
 
 Capt. — "Ready ! Aim ! Fire ! (Explode two or three 
 caps.) 
 
 Ca/)/.— "Cease firing !" 
 
Gabe. — "Say fellows, do you hear my heart beat 
 agin de groun ? (Rebels yell again, and firing in dis- 
 tance.) 
 
 Capt. — ' 'Charge bayonets ! Charge ! ' ' Union soldiers 
 hurrah and charge acrjss stage to left behind scenes ; 
 are driven back on stage by rebels. Union and Rebel 
 Captains meet and engage in sword combat. Union 
 soldiers drive Rebels off stage to left. Union and Rebel 
 Captains cross swords. 
 
 Rebel Capt. — ''Ah ha, you cussed Yankee, we have 
 met at last ; your men have driven our forces back, 
 but by heavens, I for one will not retreat. May our 
 cause meet with the same success that I hope for in 
 this contest ; now defend yourself." They engage in 
 sword combat in i, 2, 3 order up and down After the 
 second trial, Union Capt. disarms the Rebel Capt. by 
 knocking sword on stage. 
 
 Rebel Capt. — (Folding his arms across his breast.) 
 "You have the advantage of me, take it. I can have 
 the hoaor of -dying for a cause I consider just ; I am 
 only sorry I leave one behind me without a protector. ' ' 
 
 Union Capt. — "Sir, I believe I have the honor of 
 addressing Capt. Harry Johnson of the confederate 
 army." 
 
 Rebel Capt. — "You have, Sir, and you are Captain 
 Cushman, U. S. A.?" 
 
 Union Capt. — "Yes, Sir ; I do not wish to take ad- 
 vantage of the position in which you are placed 
 (sheathes his sword) but would rather shake a friend- 
 
 19 
 
ly hand and hope the cause you are fightirg for may 
 terminate in ibe same manner (the clasp hands). Take 
 your sword and return to the one you say needs a 
 Protector. ' ' 
 
 Rebel Capt. — "Sir, this is more than I could expect; 
 but as it comes from an honorable and brave man, I 
 accept it. Good day, Sir." 
 
 Rebel Captain retires, right of stage. Enter Sergt. 
 and two prisoners left of stage. 
 
 Capt. — "Sergeant, you will place a responsible man 
 on this Post, as it is a dangerous position, then draw 
 your men back in the woods, deliver your prisoners 
 and await orders." (Exit Capt. and Gabe to the right 
 of stage. Sergt. and men march off right of stage with 
 prisoners, leaving one Picket on guard, right of stage. 
 
 Picket — ' 'So this is the honor conferred on a respon- 
 sible man. Well, it is what I enlisted for. I came 
 with the determination to help restore this glorious 
 Union. It was what I premised my dear old mother 
 when I left home (hears a noise). Hello, what's that? 
 Halt ! Who comes there ? ' ' 
 
 Enter Corporal of the Guard with countersign, right 
 of stage. 
 
 Picket. — ** Advance Corporal and give countersign." 
 
 Picket. — "Corporal look out. There's a Johnnie, 
 now." Picket dodges around, faces to left of stage, 
 Corporal in his rear. Shot fired ; Picket claps his 
 hand on his left breast ; Corporal catches his gun. 
 
Picket. — ' At last ! I am the next to forfeit a life in 
 this glorious cause. My dear widowed mother ; whit 
 will you do without your son ? Mother, Mother, 'who 
 will care for Mother now ?" (Falls back in Corporal's 
 arms. Soldiers, form right of stage surround dead 
 Picket. Remove their hats ; song in rear of stage, 
 'Who will care for Mother now.) Tableaux while 
 singing last verse. Curtain falls. 
 
 ACT 2d. Scene ist. 
 
 Enter Corpl. right of stage. 
 
 CorpL — "Sure these are sorry times we are havin 
 now, wid fightin (puts his hand under his coat and 
 scratches) the gray backs an Rebels we are kept purty 
 busy. (Scratches his leg) Here let go now, yez hardly 
 give a poor divil time to talk. I had the laugh on one of 
 the byes beyant just now. He had two eyes but could 
 see out of only one. It was fun to see him ganning on 
 his shirt instead of killin a grayback. He trying to 
 kill the kaot on the end of the thread that his shirt 
 was sewed wid. Hello, here comes the Nagur." 
 
 Enter Gabe left of stage. 
 
 Gabe. — "Say Corpl., when is you uns gwine to quit 
 dis fightin ?" 
 
 Picket. — ''Not until the States become united again, 
 and t/ie glorious old stars and stripes can float proudly 
 over Ihem. ' ' 
 
Gabc. — "Den who's gwine to take care ob me when 
 that happens ?" 
 
 Corpl. — (Aside.) "Begorry, I think he's big and 
 ugly enough to take care of himself." 
 
 Corpl. — "It is reported that President Lincoln is 
 about to issue his Emancipation Proclamation, and 
 then all nagurs will be free." 
 
 Gabe. — "Den we all git a acre ob groun an a mule." 
 
 Co?'pL — (Aside.) "Sure its a wonder he didn't have 
 a house thiowed in." 
 
 Co7'pL — "So it is reported." 
 
 Gabe. — "Den I can hire you to drive de mule." 
 
 Corpl. chases Gabe off the left of stage. 
 
 ACT 2d. Scene 2d. 
 
 Soldiers at Sutler's tent, back of stage. After three 
 or lour soldiers have made their purchases, enter 
 Corpl. left of stage; "Have >ez any Murphys, Mr. 
 Sutler?' 
 
 Sutler. — "Murphjs? No, we don't sell Irishmen, 
 here." 
 
 Corpl. — "No, ror yez likely to ayther, but I say, i 
 have yez any spuds ?" * 
 
 Sittler. — "Spuds ! What do you take me for any- i 
 how. " I 
 
 Corpl. — "Begorra, I wouldn't take yez for anything 
 
if ye are that dumb, well have 3^e any Peraties ?"' 
 
 Sutler. — "Potatoes ! Yes, why didn't you say po- 
 tatoes in the first place." 
 
 Corpl. — ''Because in the second place I dint think 
 you were that green. How much are yez Peraties?" 
 
 Sutler. — "75 cents a quarter peck." 
 
 Corpl. — "Houly Moses, begorra there must be 
 another famine in ould Ireland, I say Sutler, do yez 
 trust?" 
 
 Sutler. — "No, Sir. You will have to go to your 
 Captain and get an order, then I will give you its 
 equivalent in tickets." 
 
 Corpl. — (Retiring to right of stage.) ''Sure I think 
 its a ticket of leave I'll get, when I ax the captain." 
 
 Enter Gabe, left of stage and in front. ' Dese am 
 awful rough times ; don't know when you's gwine to 
 get plugged wid a brllet. De captain "s layin down and 
 things am sort ob quiet. I thought I would amuse 
 myself wid a little music. A fellow tole me de odder 
 day dat if I would gin him a dollar he would buy a 
 bird-cage and make me a present of a mocking bird — 
 dat's de las I seen ob de fellow or de dollar. Dis is 
 what he was to put in de cage." (Plays Mocking Bird 
 on whistle. In the second part, some one imitates 
 mocking bird in rear of stage) then Gabe plays on two 
 whistles. Someone asks him to play with his far. 
 Pats one whistle to ear, pretends to blow. Soaicone 
 plays in rear of sta8:e. Gabe takes the whistle fr m 
 ear before music stops, listens, then says, ' Dit'o ce 
 
 23 
 
echo," starts t > retire. 
 
 (A.ny amusing incident can be substituted for above.) 
 
 Knter Corporal from right of stage. 
 
 Corpl — "Gabe, the Sergeant wants you." 
 
 iicibc — "What'o Sargep.nt want?" 
 
 Corpl. — "Come and see.' ' ( Exit Corporal and Gabe 
 right cf stage. 
 
 ACT 2d. 5cene 3d. 
 
 Sergeant and soldiers standing around a drum. 
 
 Enter Corporal and Gabe. 
 
 Sergt. — 'Place that man (pointing to Gabe) under 
 arrest. 
 
 (Two vSoldiers grasp Gabe by each arm). 
 
 ^'^r^/.— "Gabe, you are charged with — 
 
 Gabe — What; wid powder?" 
 
 Sergt. — Silerce ! You are charged with abstracting 
 a po-tion of the Pickets' dinner and substituting a 
 dead cat for the same." 
 
 Gabe — "I a'nt guilty." 
 
 Sergt. — "You have been tried by a drum-head 
 Court-Martial, and sentenced to be promoted. 
 
 Gabe. — What's dat ; gwine ter make me a Corpor- 
 al ?" 
 
 Sergt. — "Bring forth the promoter." (Soldiers 
 
 24 
 
bring in a barrel with hole in head, put it over Gabe's 
 shoulders, with his head through the head of barrel ; 
 corporal stripes on each side of ba|;rel. 
 
 Gabe — "Now I'se dun been promoted, I spose I'sea 
 Corporal." 
 
 Sergeant marches Pickets at charge bayonets, rear 
 of Gabe; orchestra plays rogue's march; bugle sounds 
 assembly ; soldiers return on double quick, form line 
 right of stage, Capt. on right ; Rebels yell. 
 
 Ca//.— Charge bayonets, charge ! (to left of stage.) 
 (Soldiers hurrah : sounds of battle; then quiet. Rebels 
 yell, then two rebels appear on left of stage and march 
 across with Corporal O'Shaunasy and Gabe in front 
 of them ; disappear on other side. 
 
 ACT 2d. Scene 4th. 
 
 Fence in front of guard house. Rebel Guard House. 
 Corporal O'Shaunasy at bars talking. Rebel Guard marching 
 to and fro. 
 
 i^t'<^^/^(stops) "You Yanks, keep quiet, there." 
 
 Gabe—O^i, if I had de small-pox." 
 
 Rebel — "What would you do if you had ?" 
 
 Gabe — "I might break out." 
 
 Reb tries to bayonet him, but misses ; then comes 
 to Order Arms. 
 
 Reb — ''If I had my way, I'd hang every one of you 
 infernal Yankees." 
 
 25 
 
Corporal O' Shauiiasy — ' 'Hanging would be far better 
 than the treatment we get here.' (Rebel retires left 
 of stage. 
 
 Corpl. — ' Good-bye, Johnnie, ma}^ good luck always 
 follow after you, and may it never overtake you." 
 (Song back of stage, 'In the Prison Cell I sit) After 
 song, firing heard rear of stage ; bugle sounds ; Rebel 
 yell ; Soldiers hurrah, then rush on stage, break open 
 guard house and release Corporal and Gabe ; then 
 place flag at gate, form in line. Capt. orders Sergt. 
 to place Picket on guard, stack arms and break ranks. 
 
 Capt. — "Well, boys we have succeeded in recaptur- 
 ing our comrade, suppose we cekbrate the event by 
 singing a song. (AH sing 'Rally around the Flag.') 
 
 Capt. — "Sergeant, move your men back of the town 
 a little distance, place your Pickets, keep a sharp look- 
 out and don't let the eiemy surprise you during my 
 absence. I contemplate going on a little scout on ray 
 own account. I'll return in about an hour." (Exit 
 Capt. and Gabe, right of stage.) 
 
 Sergt. — (Aside) I know all about that little scouting 
 that the Captain is going on. I saw the young ladj^ 
 walking down the road just now, that came after Gabe 
 this morning. I believe that the Cap'ain has fallen in 
 love with her, and there will be trouble over it yet.'' 
 
 "Attention ! Fall in Guards ! Take Arms ! (pick- 
 et joins guards) Carry Arms! Right face, forward 
 march !" (March off right of stage) 
 
 Enter Capt. right of stage. Capt. calls Gabe. Enter 
 
 26 
 
Gabe, right of stage. 
 
 Gabe — ''Yessah." 
 
 Capt. — "I saw your mistress down the road a short 
 time ago and I am going to have a little talk with 
 her." 
 
 Gabe — "Be careful, Mars Cappen, be careful; Miss 
 Laura chuck full ob rebel feeling. You's good look- 
 ing nufif, but I don't think you got any show dar." 
 
 Capt. — "Ha ; here she comes, now." 
 
 Gabe — "Miss lyaura am comtn ; I'll go an keep 
 watch an see nobody interferes." (Exit Gabe.) 
 
 (Enter Miss Johnson, left of stage opposite side of 
 
 fence.) 
 
 Miss Johnson — "How do you do. Captain ?" (Shakes 
 hands.) 
 
 Capt — "How do you do, Miss Johnson ?" (Leans 
 on fence. ) 
 
 Miss Jolmson — "I see the Union soldiers have suc- 
 ceeded in driving our men back." 
 
 Capt. — "Yes, Miss Laura, our troops have been 
 very successful lately, and I do not think the day is 
 far distant when the whole Confederacy will acknowl- 
 edge themselves defeated," 
 
 Miss Laicra — "Do you consider yourself a Union 
 Soldier?" 
 
 Capt — I certainly do. Why ?" 
 
 27 
 
Miss Laura — "From the position you are in, I could 
 not rei ognize you as either a Uaion or a Confederate 
 SoMier." 
 
 Capt —Why so ? 
 
 Miss Laura — "Because you are on the fence." 
 
 Capt (aside) — "I am doing pretty well if there is 
 nothing back of this." (Jumps over fence.) 
 
 Capt — "Miss Laura, you know that a fence has been 
 the cause of uniting many persons closer than friend- 
 ship." 
 
 Miss Laura — "There is an exception in this case." 
 
 Capt. — "I see no reason why we should not be 
 friends." 
 
 Miss I^aura — ''You may think so but I do not agree 
 with you. No man is a friend to me, who is in arms 
 against our cause. If you would join our forces and 
 asj-ist in driving those horrid Yankees for our soil, 
 then our friendship might be greater than it is at 
 present." 
 
 Capt. (starting back, facing right of stage) "Madam 
 neither you nor any one else could persuade me to de- 
 sert that glorious old Stars and Stripes." 
 
 (Enter two Confederates, left of stage, behind the 
 Capt. and seize him by the arms ; demand his surren- 
 der ; Miss Laura screams ; enter Gabe from opposite 
 side, levolver in each hand.) 
 
 Gabe — "Hole on dar ! Drop dat man ! Let him go 
 or I'll bore you uns full ob holes. Now git ! Skee- 
 
 28 
 
daddle ! (Exit rebels left of stage.) 
 
 Gabe (handing revolvers to Capt., trembling) *'Say, 
 Mars Cappen, take dtse yer things ; dey might go off 
 an hurt somebody. After I lef you I went back to 
 yer tent an foun em, I knowed you dun forgit em: so 
 I thought I had better fotch em to yo. Jist got heah 
 in time cidn't I." (Capt. puts revolvers in hip 
 pockets.) 
 
 Capt. — "Yes, Gabe, you did me a favor that time; I 
 will remember you; I admit I was rather careless in 
 coming here without being armed. Miss Laura, was 
 that a pre-arranged |plan of yours to have me cap- 
 tured?" 
 
 Miss Laura — "No, sir; I did not know that any 
 Confederates were so near. Probably those two men 
 were secreted in our barn at the time our troops re- 
 treated from this place." 
 
 Capt. — "I cannot doubt your word, Miss Laura, I 
 believe you are sincere ; but at the same time, it came 
 near being an unfortunate affair to me." 
 
 Miss Laura — ' 'I am pleased to know it terminated in 
 your favor ; (turning to Gabe) I see you have my slave 
 with you ; is he your body-guard now ? He appeared 
 like it a little while ago." 
 
 Capt. — "No, he fills the position of my cook at pres- 
 ent, I see one of my men approaching, excuse me a 
 moment.' ' (Exit Capt. right of stage) 
 
 Miss Laura — "Gabe, are you content with the sol- 
 diers ? I think you would fare better on the planta- 
 
 29 
 
tion," 
 
 Gabe — "I'se very well 'tented, Miss Laura, Mars 
 Cappon he very kind to me, but I hab it bery rough 
 wid de soldiers specially bout meal time." 
 
 I\Iiss Laura — "I suppose you think you are free, 
 ■ now ?" 
 
 Gabc — "I did heah dat Mars Linkum gwine ter set 
 all de colored people free, den dere will be no moh 
 slaves. We's all been aprayin fer our freedom, an I 
 think dat day soon come now, den we can list and 
 help bring de South back in de Union." 
 
 Miss Laura — "Say, Gabe, do you know if the Capt. 
 is married or not ? It's impossible to tell anything 
 about those >Torthern soldiers, they are very deceiv- 
 ing." 
 
 (^(a;^*? (aside) "I knowed sutnfin was de matter. I 
 bet de North and South come togedder pretty soon.") 
 "No Miss Laura ; I doan beleib de Cappen is married, 
 he doan act dat way ; I know he think a power sight 
 ob you, but you cant put Rebel ideahs in his hed cause 
 he aint built dat yer way." 
 
 Miss Laura — * '(Aside) Oh ! what is it that makes 
 my heart palpitate in this manner ? Is it love ? And 
 for an enemy to our cause, too?" 
 
 Gabe — (Aside) "Golly ! Miss Laura's got em ; she's 
 got em shuah. I bet de Cappon bring her round arter 
 a while. She's pretty near gone. ' ' 
 
 Miss Laura — "Gabe, do not expose my feelings to 
 the Capt.; I could not control them." 
 
 30 
 
Gabe — "No, Miss I^aura, I wouldn't tell what either 
 one ob you done ; but you feelins just now wasn't 
 nuffin to what de Cappen said, dis mornin after you 
 left he said, you was a scorcher, and de debilish-" 
 
 Miss Later a — What ! " 
 
 Gabe (jumps) — '*He said as how you was de mos 
 debilish fines girl he eber laid his eyes on ; an I tole 
 im it was de truf too. " 
 
 (Enter Capt. to right.) 
 
 Gz/>/.— "Ah, Miss Laura, we have got to advance 
 our Pickets : so I come to bid you adieu. I am real 
 sorry to part with such pleasant company." 
 
 Miss Laura — "You mean, to part from such a 
 'scorcher.' " 
 
 Capt. — "Gabe, you black rascal, have you been 
 talking about me ? 
 
 Gabe — "No, Mars Cappon, I wouldn't tell what 
 anybody said. Say, Mars Cappon, is you got em too?" 
 
 C^//.— "Got what?" 
 
 Gabe — "Do your heart palpertate fer de enemies ob 
 our cause?" 
 
 Miss Laura — "Gabe, S11.KNCK !" 
 
 Gabe — -''Yes, Miss Laura, I reckon dere is one too 
 many heah in dis skirmish. I better get out befo I 
 get de palpertation ob de heart." (Exit Gabe, right of 
 stage.) 
 
 31 
 
Capt. — (Extending both hands to Miss Laura) 
 "Laura, is this true ? Has Gabe, through his ignor- 
 ance, expressed our love for one another ?" 
 
 Miss Laura — (Taking Captain's hands) ''Captain, I 
 fear it is all too true ; but why should we make such 
 
 acknowledgements ? We know not when this war 
 will end. Oh, when will this cruel war be over ?" 
 
 Gabe — (Aside of stage) "Dars anodder Breastwork 
 captured." (Song rear of stage, 'When this cruel 
 War is over.') Tableaux. 
 
 ACT 3rd. Scene ist. 
 
 Enter Sergt. to right of stage. 
 
 Enter Corpl. to left of stage. 
 
 Coxpl. — "Say, Sergeant, I hear the C&ptain had an 
 narrow escape, this afternoon." 
 
 Sergt. — "Yes, Gabe said the Captain was captured 
 this afternoon, but the darkey had nerve enough to go 
 to his assistance and drove the rebels off." 
 
 Corpl. — ' 'Yes' I hear the Captain has fallen in love 
 with that fair rebel. I expect, after the war is over 
 he will be coming down here and marrying her. 
 There is no show for the hkes of us ; shoulder-straps 
 couDts all the time." 
 
 Sergt. — "Yes, Corporal, the girls tr.rn up their 
 noses at anything below an officer. Our only chance 
 for amuiement is with the colored girls. Things are 
 getting very slow this afternoon.^ I'd like to see 
 Gabe's girl come around ; we might get up a joke on 
 
him. Hello, here he comes now." 
 Enter Gabe left of stage. 
 
 Gabe. — "Say, Sargen ; Marier, dat's my gal, you 
 know, sent me word dat she would like to come out 
 to de Picket Post ter see me , you doan spose de Cap- 
 pin would care, do you ?" '*You know we's gwine 
 ter move away from heah an I'd like mighty well ter 
 see Marier befo we go." 
 
 Sergt. — "The Captain would not object, of course 
 not. Send for her to come. I'd like to see what she 
 looks like." 
 
 Gabe. — "All right, I'll sen for her." (Starts to 
 leave, but sstops at left side ot stage to hear what is 
 said.) 
 
 Sergt. — ''We've got him now, Corporal, if that 
 colored girl comes before Gabe gets back, we'll have 
 some fun with her." 
 
 Gabe. — (Aside. ) "You will, will you ? I'll ten to de 
 funny part ob dat racket" (Exit Gabe left of stage.) 
 
 Sergt. — **Let us go over behind the trees and wait 
 until she comes." (Exit Sergeant and Corporal right 
 of stage.) 
 
 Enter Gabe left of stage, with bonnet, shawl and 
 dress ; begins to put them on and then retires. 
 
 Enter Sergeant right of stage. "I left the Corporal 
 to watch the other road while I took this on. If she 
 comes this way, I'll let the Corporal slide, and have 
 all the fun myself. Hello, here she comes, now for a 
 lively time." (Enter colored girl, left of stage.) "I 
 
 33 
 
suppose this is Marner that Gabe talked so much 
 about." (Gabe, "Hem-Hem.") 
 
 Sergi. — "What's the matter ? can't you talk ?" 
 
 Colored Girl. — "Yes sir ; I cum ter see if my feller 
 was aroun." 
 
 Scrgt. — "Who, Gabe ? He's gone over to the Cap- 
 tain's tent and wont be back for an hour yet What's 
 the use of your fooling with that ugly nigger? You 
 might just as well sit down awhile with me. (Sets two 
 stools.) That's it, make yourself right at home.'' 
 (Girl sits down with Sergeant.) 
 
 Scrgt. — (Aside. I believe she's bashful ; I'll try to 
 loosen her tongue a little.) "Say, Marier, I was over 
 to the commissary's this afternoon and got some 
 whiskey; do you drink ?" (Offers her the canteen.) 
 
 Girl. — "Yes sir, I like a little." (Takes the canteen 
 and empties it down her throat ; hands canteen back 
 to Sergeant ) 
 
 Scrgt. — (Looking at empty canteen.) ''Great Cea- 
 ser ! Where is the lyiquor gone ?" 
 
 Girl. — "Is dat good for de chills ?" 
 
 Scrgt. — ' 'Yes. Why ?' ' 
 
 Crabe. — (Changing his voice.) "Cause I feel like 
 shaking. Is yo got no mo liquor ? (Starts to run as 
 the Sergeant attempts to catch hold of him. 
 
 Exit Gabe left of stage. 
 
 Knter Corporal right of stage. 
 
 34 
 
Corpl. — "Hello, Sergt , you got the best of me that 
 time. What was the trouble with you and the girl ?" 
 
 Sergt — *'Gir] be hanged ! It was that infernal nig- 
 ger Gabe. He got the best of us after all." 
 
 Corpl. — "It's pretty near tattoo ; I guess we had 
 better get back with the boys again.'' (Exit both 
 light of stage.) 
 
 ACT 3d. Scene 2d. 
 
 Raid on Sutler's tent, back of stage. 
 
 Enter three soldiers left of stage. 
 
 ist soldier says ; "Boys that is a miserly old sutler 
 we have. I move we raid hioi tonight." (Other 
 soldiers second the motion and agreed.) 
 
 ist soldier. — ''AH right, come on, we will get some 
 more of the boys and wake the sutler up. 
 
 Scene changes, shows sutler's tent, sutler asleep. 
 Soldiers creep up in front of tent. 
 
 ist soldier. — 'When I give the word, all rush." (He 
 gives the word and the soldiers give a rebel yell, throw 
 pots, pans and barrels in tent, soldiers rush in front of 
 tent. Sutler runs out the back way, crosses 
 stage from right side, hat, coat and shoes off. 
 Exclains ; the Johnnies like to caught me that time, 
 retires to left of stages. Soldiers help themselves and 
 retire. ) 
 
 ACT 3d. Scene 3d. 
 
 Picket-Post. Stacked guns. Pickets sitting on 
 ground. Serg:t. and Corpl. sitting on camp stools. 
 
 35 
 
Gabe lying down. One Picket on duty. 
 
 Sergt. — "Well, boys, its pretty near tattoo ; suppose 
 we have a song before we turn in. Let's sing "When 
 Johnnie Comes Marching Home. " (AH rise and sing 
 the song ; Gabe finishes the last verse in his own way; 
 
 Scrgt. — "That darkey is bound to have his mouth 
 into everything." 
 
 Gabe. — ^"Yes sah ; but it wouldn't work in the chill 
 racl^et just now." 
 
 Sergt. — "Gabe, give us a little music ; will you ?'" 
 
 Gabe amuses the men with music, after which he 
 says , "Guess I go and get de Cappen's bed ready for 
 him. ' ' Retires to right of stage. 
 
 5£7-^/.— "Corporal, tell the Bugler to sound Assem- 
 bly." 
 
 Bugle souids at distance. Soldiers run in on stage, 
 fall in line same as Reveille. Serjeant calls roll. En 
 ter Captain. Sergeant salutes. Reports one man 
 killed during the day. Captain salutes, commands 
 Order Arms, Place Rest, then takes his place right of 
 line, drops point of sword at rest. Sound Tattoo. 
 After this, returns sword to scabbard, salutes Sergeant 
 tells him to dismiss the guards, and retires right of 
 stage Sergeant does so. Men all lie down on stage 
 except Corporal sitting on stool and Picket facing 
 audience. Curtain rises at rear showing tableau ; 
 Lady sitting at table with two children; one chair va- 
 cant ; lady's hand resting on, and eyes looking at 
 chair ; representing the soldier's dream. Song, rear 
 of stage, "The Vacant Chair." Bugle sounds. (Taps.) 
 
 Curtain Falls- 
 36 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 015 793 198 2