S 1250 C7 C6 i . IT n . : , 877 \ — "py !^ 1 THE COLOR GU^RB A ' ! 1 i WITH iOOOlFilTlIi fAlLlifl.. ^ • • • ♦ ■ — i ' i Dedicated to the Intere3t QF THE Or. A^. Pt. t?:e=loy-, isr. Y-. : STOWELL & RISING, STEAM PRINTERS. 1877. ^ 1 THE Color Guard, ^^ WITH pf:DIc|ATED TO THE IwTEREgT OF THE Jt C3r. J^. R STOWELL & RISING, STgAM PRINTERS. 1877. ^ lub since I wuz twelve year old. Sa7n. R. Well, Til be switched ! You're a healthy old heart smasher, you are. Tell me. Wash, how did you feel when you had it wust ? Wash. Feel ! Oh. Mr. Roberts, I felt as if 1 owned four hundred dollars, and as if I didn't know whether the chap that kept it for me would give it back or not. I felt good, and then kinder onsartin ; I had chills, and then, again I felt like a cooken stove at Christmas. Oh, golly I Mr. Roberts, take my 'vice; I'se had 'sperience. Never fall in love, more 'ticularly if it's wid another chap's gal, and he's sasseycr than you. Oh, I clare to goodness, then it's jest orful. II Sam. R. Whv, Wash, did you ever fall in love with another chap's gal ? Wash. {^Laiighing^ Reckon I never fell in love wid any udder kind of a gal. That s why I'se not married. Sam R Never know'd why yeh wuz a misable old bachelor before, Wash. Fooling with other chap's gals, eh ? Well, I'd jest like so.iie one to make love to Abby. I'm spilen to see some fellar a fo^lin' aroun' my gal. [Laying his hand excitedly on Washes shoulder, and clenching his ^j-/.] I'd mash him like an egg in a vise. I'd bust him ! I'd — Wash. Oh, don't ! there, how yeh hurt my shoulder ! I aint agoin' fur yer gal, 'fore goodness I'se not ! I'se innocent as a lamb, I've gub up maken' love. Sa7n. R. [Laughing.l Didn't mean to hurt yeh, Wash. That's all right. I'm goin' fur a soger, yeh see. and jest thought I'd practice on you. I ain't afraid of Abby, not by a jug full. Good-bye, I'm off to see her before I leave. [Exit Sam., i. e. r.] Wash. He's the smoothest lover I ever did see. He's gentler nor an alligator. Gosh ! got the rheumatiz bad in that are shoulder. If a man wants to make love hunky, let 'em spark two gals at once and both on 'em know it. Ain't it citin ? ki, yi ! Ain't I bin thar } Ain't I lost whole handfuls ob wool by dat are operation } but its fun, and I'll keep it up. [Exit L. I. E ] SCENE FOURTH. Wood or landscape. Enter Troops, i. e. l. Stage march or Drill, Young Ladies, with flag. Vma.\gkk^ following, r. h. Music, Officer [Commands.) Attention ! Color guard two paces to the front, march ; Order arms ; Parade rest ; Color sergeant to the front, march. {Color Bearer) — Louis Ludlow. [Color Guard) — Jackson Ludlow, Jack Johnson, Sam Roberts and Jim Hansom. Lucy y. My friends, the flag which I hold in my hand is the emblem of our whole nation. Its glorious field of blue represents not only our own beloved Ohio, but every State in the North now arming for the defense, and every state in the South now arrayed against us in rebellion. This flag, wrought by your sisters' hands, is covered by our tears of sorrow at this parting, and hallowed by our prayers for its safety and your return. I need not tell you to guard it bravely, for I am convinced that the brave men before me will protect its folds. You will return it in safety, and I pray God that with it may come the brave color guard to whom I entrust it. In the dark hours of battle, look up to the God of Justice, look around on the land of our fathers, and remember the sisters who bow for you in prayer. Lottis L. Miss Johnson, permit me, in behalf of my comrades, to thank you, and the thoughtful ladies who co-operated with you, in procuring this flag. We accept it with a full appreciation of the trust imposed through you by the nation. We are about to march to the scene of war, and we have that dread of death incident to all men who risk life for principle. One by one of the color guard, now standing before you, may drop off by bullet or disease ; but this glorious banner will fall into hands as brave. While God gives us strength to guard it — in the sum- 12 mer's march, the winter's bivouac, and the battle's fearful storm — we will ever keep it pointed to that Heaven from which our greatest protection must come. With you, we pray that all may return in safety, bringjing back the colors without a stain, and the news of a land preserved through our valor and your devotion, Rally Around the Flag. Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ; We will rally from the hill-side, we'll rally from the plain. Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. Chorus. — The Union forever ! Hurrah, boys, hurrah ! Down with the traitors and up with the stars, While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. So we're springing to the call from the East and from the West, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. And we'll hurl the rebel crew from the land we love the best, Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom. Chorus, [Repeat Chorus twice.] (Attention^ Color Guard ! About-face I To your post- march ! OFFICER commands — Attention! Carry arms! Present arm.s ! Band salute ! Carry arms ! Right face ! Port arms ! Break ranks- march ! Mr. L. (To Lours L.) Well, my boy, you have something to fight ior. May God bless you and bring you back in safety- But go, Lucy is watching you. I must go and see Jackson, and all the boys. Louis L. A short time, dear father, and I hope to return, bringing you the good news of a restored land, \jfoins Lucy J.] Well, Lucy, that was a beautiful speech of yours, and a beautiful flag accompanied it. Lucy J. Certainly, a beautiful flag, Louis. But be careful for my sake. Don't rush into danger unless there is a necessity, will you ? Please say you won't. Louis L. Rush into unnecessary danger ! Why, you dear girl, I have you to live for. Why should I expose myself.^ Now, tell me you will write very long, gossippy letters, all about the village ; and you can tell me if Abby Smith gets a beau instead of Sam. Abby S. No, thank you, Mr. Ludlow, I am satisfied with my vanity. Miss Jerusha is right — all the world is vanity to me. Isn't it, Sam ? Sam. R. Your head is level there, Abby. Here is something I want you to keep for my sake. [Hands her a red ha7td kerchief] Abby S. I'll wear this night and day, even if Miss Jerusha does call it vanity. [Assembly is given.] Louis L. The bugle sounds. Good-bye, my own, own one ! Lucy y. Good-bye, Louis. \Farewell — Soldiers shake hands with villagers. Battalio7t forms. Officer commands — Attention ! Present arms ! Carry arms ! Battalion- right face ! Music— ''Girl I left Behind Me:' Troops file offstage. Villagers- R. Tableaux — The Rising of the North.) CURTAIN. 13 ACT II. SCENE FIRST. Recruiting scene in the mou7ttains of Tennessee. Alfred Thornton, Tom Flynn, Bob Mason, Long George, and Mountain Men dis- c(n.'ered. Lively j?iusic. Alfred T. No, friends, we have nothing to hope for from the Yankees of any party. Democrats and Republicans are equal in their hate and opposition. Bob M. See here, stranger, we'uns har in the mountains ain't much yer see on book larnin, but we ken read the trees and tell whin spring's leavin' or the winter's comin' on. We'uns kin look at the sky an' tell if thar's agoin' to be a storm, and we kin measure a man, an jest tell how full he is of fight. Alfred T. I dont understand you, sir. You do not wish to insult me by saying I will not fight ? Bob M. Sartin not, stranger. But we'uns har in the mountains knows as how noise is harmless, and men as brags ain't things to be skeered of. Alfred T. It was not my intention to scare anybody, for I presume I am among friends. Bob M. Stranger, I've been presumin' I'd be rich each yar since I were a boy, and dogoned if I ain't wantin' of money now as a hen is of horns. Why, you might as well try to build a pig pen out of cold mush, as to do anything by presumin'. Peter H. [Enteri?ig at door i7iflat.'] Peter H, Goot morgen, friends, how you was ? I hopes you was well. Tom F. Good morning to ye, Mr. Dutchman. What have ye's got in your traveling bag ? Have ye's just come over? I don't think yer could get more than three days on that — Peter H. Vat vas dot you have got do say aboud dot pag, I vas gotten mine clothes in it. Say, [to Tom Flynn,) are you the boss here t Tom F: No, faith, there's the man, {pointing to Bill Davis.) Peter H. Mine friend, you dund have known mine brodder, he is by the name of Yacob, unt he was got a crookedy eye, unt was limp by his foot. Mountaineer. No, we'uns don't know ennything about any brother. Whar did you'ans come from, an' what ar' you'ans going to do hyar } Going into our Army ; we'uns are raising men. Peter H. No, sir, you dund raise me. I was a quiet citizen, unt dund was a fightin' man, anyhow. I was lookin's for mine brodder, Yacob, unt as soon as got me him, I was got me back to my country shust right away, ain't it > Mountaineer. Well, never mind your brother, just you take a seat and maybe you'll find him. Now, then, stranger, let we'uns have that story of your'n, all about them cussed Yanks. Alfred T. I lived for some time past peacefully on the Ohio river, within sight^of the Sunny South. I would have remained there all my life, had not the South been wronged ; had not you men been deprived of your rights ; had not your liberties been assailed and your homes threat- ened. Friends, when I think of the outrage I was subjected to in leaving the North to join you, it quite unmans me. Tom h. Mr Thornton, be aisy now, will 3^ees ; don't be after weaken- ing now. Think what yees have come all this way fur. Give them brave speeches, an' yer have thim sure. Alft cd T. Yes, my friends, if you will listen to me, your hate for the cowardly Yankees will become more inttnse, and your determination stronger to resist them. The day the news came to our village that the South dared to assert her rights by firing on the Stars and Stripes, the emblem of abolition and oppression, I dared, as a freeman, to express my feelings for the South. But was I permitted to go on ? No ! a hun- dred cowards, with a rope to hang me, gathered around and threatened my life. I had but one friend, brave Tom Flynn the man who accom- panied me here. Tom F. Yer right there, Mr. Thornton, it's yourself that always was a friend to Tom, and if ever I wanted a dollar, it's yerself that had that same. Bob M. Stranger, I'm not much on talk, but this much I do want to know, and that is : If you'uns want ennything, spit it out. I am willing to do ennything to dry up that feller that will talk like an old woman with the toothache. Cut wMth it, an' let's hear what it is. Pdcr //. Oh, dunder und blixen, who was goten me my clothes bag ; look here, mine friends, dond you know who w^as tooked mine bag, oh, say, mine friend, Mr. Irishman, dond you seen mine leetlebag? I vill give swei dollar, off you blease tell me vere dot bag was. Tom F. Oh, bother you and your bag, do you think the likes of the Flynns w^ould be after stealing yer dirty old clothes, shure, it's the ship fever yer have in them. Bob M, See hyar, \to one of t/ic mou7itainecrs, w/io has taken Peter's bagj and is s/ipping- ont of f/ie door 7uith it.'] You dogoned cuss, you kin play them tricks on one of yer own kind, but this man is a stranger, and we'uns hyar in the mountains take no advantage of a stranger. We'uns treat every man right until we find him out. Now, from what I have seen you do, I take it you don't belong in these parts. You had better take my advice and git. {Exit inonntaineer by door.) Peter H. Ah ! you was a nice man, you was, you took mine bag, now lyust can dold you I lick you so quick dot it will make your head SR'im off, dond you belief it t Tom F. Oh, yes, faith, I believe yer could get away with a dozen like him ; go in Dutch, I'll hold yer coat. Peter H. No, sir, you dond can do dat ; I can hold me my own coat, unt I can got aw^ay mit him mitout daking my coat off, dond you forgot it. Mountaineer. Come, this will never do ; dry up thar, Mr. Dutchman, the stranger will never get through if you'ans keep a 'sturbin him this way ; pile in with your story, stranger. Alfred T. When the Yankees threatened to hang me, I pulled out these, [displaying pistols), and, facing them, dared them all, and the cow- ards fell back. I told them then, I intended going into Tennessee to raise a company of mountain men to battle for the South. For long days and nights I have traveled to reach here. I am now among you. Who is willing to join me } 15 All except Bob M. and Long George shout I, I, stranger ! Mountaijieer. Bob Mason, ain't you and Long George agoin to join us to fight for Tennessee ? Bob M. I ain't a raan of book larnin' like this stranger, whose tongue is as smooth as ice, an' as dangerous, while his heart is as hard an' as cold ; but afore I fight the Yankees, I want to know whar they have wronged me an* mine. My young 'uns are safe on the mountain, an' I kin come an' go with none to stop me. Long ago I heerd my father speak of Gineral Jackson and the whole Union, an' by that Lm goin' to stan'. I have no slaves, nor wouldn't have if I could. I alius thought it sneakin' to steal the game killed by another man's rifle. This is a rich man's quarrel ; let the rich men fight for the South. I'll stan' by the Union, an' it'll be some onhealthy for the cuss that tries to stop me. Mountaineer. If yer wuz South, Bob Mason, they'd hang yuu. ) Alfred T. Yes ; and if the brave men of the South did their duty they would hang him where he stands. Crowd. Shoot the scoundrel ! Hang him up ! Cut his heart out ! {They rush at ht?n with knives and pistols. Bob J/., 7uith Long G. beside him, coolly backs itp against the door, a pistol in each ha?id. Exeunt Tom F. and Peter H., hurriedly.) Bob. M. You cowards and skunks, tj turn on a mountain man for darin' to do right. Back, there, or by the ghost of Gineral Jackson, ['11 send daylight through you. [To Thornton). Out of my path. Long George an' me is goin' North, whar you cum'd from, and let the devil tempt none of you to stop me. Keep alongside, George ; the cowards know me too well to shoot. We'uns will return, an' look out, you cowards, when we light the signal for the hunt on the mountain. [Scene closes). SCENE SECOND. Road or landscape. Enter Peter Hvgley, i. e. l. Peter H. Oh, my, what peoples, yust pull dem pistols unt shoot mens yust as eisy as nottings, unt steal. I yust dink me dot I was by de Castle Garten by de way dot carpet bag was gone so quick. Hillo ! here comes one of dem fellows, by chimney dot was dot Irishman, I yust dink he was a goot fellow. I will see what he wants. Enter Tom Fl\nn, e. l. [singing). Air. — Hill of Glen O^Kery. Och, my name is bould Morgan McCarty, from Thrim, Me relations all died except one brother, Jim. Tom F. [discovering Peter H.] Ah, ye are there, are ye ; well, by the piper that played before Moses, but I thought by the way ye left the house, that yer wur half over the Cumberland Mountains by this time. Peter IL. No, sir, I dond was going over dem mountains, I was yust was gone to look for mine brodder ; you dond was acquainted with mine brodder, Yacob, he was a nice mens, he was. I yust dink me dot dem peoples was a set of loafer mens, unt off I yust got me my hand off dot mens wat tooked mine bag. I would haf me his headt off; dot what's de matter, I yust got me mine mad up ! Tom F. Now kape your breath to cool your stir-about, an' don't, if ye i6 value yer life, provoke Tom Flynn to foight. Shure if I wuz to lay nie paw on ye, divil a one ye'd have time to offer up a prayer till ye'd be where dhrinks are scarcer and more needed than in Aist Tennessee. (/// a milder tone.) But come here ; let us be frien's, an' tell me if yer parents are livin' an' how many children ye have the dead image of ycrsel' ; and, avtck, just inform me if ye could loan a dacint member of my family a dollar and fifty cints for one hour an' a half. I'm expectin' money. {Aside). Musha, God knows it's mysel' has been expectin it this many a day. Peter H. \ReacJiing out his hafid.'] I don't want to make a fuss mit you. You're all recht, but I gets gross mit so much drubble all de dime. Tom F. Come over and lane on me, an' if ye have any thrubble jist pour it out to me as ye would to yer own blessed mother. Peter H. Vel, I tinks some dings all de dime. Yen I comes mit dis land, I choins the 'Mericans, und I takes vat you called de oat. Tom F. Yer not a native American thin ! Will, upon my conscience, ye talk so well I thought ye a lively Aist Tennessee mountaineer. Peter H. No, Ich komt from Deutchland aber Ich bin ein 'Mericaner by dis paper. Read de paper. [Hands Tom F. a papery Tom pretends to read, and turns it about in his hands.) Tom F. Will, what's this, shure? Me eyes ain't as young as they used to be. Peter H. Vy, das ist mine allegiance — de paber mit vich I makes mine vote at the polls in 'lectin time. To7n F. You take that paper to the polls ? Peter H. Oh, yah ! all de time. Tom F. Will, I'm sorry yer a foreigner and don't understand the In- glish tongue. I've been votin' since the day I landed, an' I'll die if iver I had to take an oath, or git a dirthy bit of paper like that to do it. Peter H. But vot shall I do ? Shall I go mit de Union or mit de State ? I have very much drubble 'bout dot. Tom. F. Arrah, me frien', give yersel' no trubble about goin' wid the Union or the Sthate, but give me dollar an' fifty cints ye promised, an' go wid me, an' I'll dhrink yer health in a bumper. Peter H. I gifs you de geld, but I tinks sometings now all de dime. You go mit de Sthate and I vill go mit de Union. Dat's all right. I swears mit de Union. You swear mit de polls. [Exeunt 2 E. R. Peter opening his pocket-book. \ SCENE THIRD. Rocky pass, with set rocks and fire. Bob Mason, Long George, Father Allen a7id Refugees discovered. Long G. Wall, I'm right smart glad we're in Kaintuck. Hope that Thornton an' his houn's won't chase us any more. Kaintuck's neutral — ain't for fightin' nobody. Bob M. You can't make a mountain cat look like a deer, nor squeeze fire so flat as to take it for water. Kaintuck is crouching on the hill-top, like a lynx, and whichever side she springs on, look out. Though it may be that there is a lynx waitin' to go at each side : then, I say, look out for a fight between the lynxes. Father A. Already we have lost many of our number to reach this place ; but we can only be safe under the flag I carried as a soldier in the 17 everglades ot Florida. Bob M. Don't be cast down, Father Allen; we'uns will stan' by you like as Lookout by the Tennessee. The men are posted on guard, an' if we are attacked again to-night, God pity the men who di^ive us to bay. Father A. I know you are brave, Bob ; but what are we against so many ? Our friends are slain on the mountains, or hanging to the pines on the hill sides. I do not like this place ; there is no chance for retreat. Bob M. No, father, no chance for retreat ; thar is no need for retreat. Night an' day they have driven us from our homes and families, and my heart is sore with our sufferings and our wrongs. Better die like brave men heah in Kentuck, than be dogged still farther through the mountains with sore feet an' starvin' inwards, an' with hearts full of sorrow. Better die whar the ring of our rifles will echo near our own mountains, than fall off, one by one, a prey to the bloodhounds who chase us. Long G. That talk suits me, Bob; I'm out of Tennessee, and dogoned if I want to run any more. Fugitives. It suits me. And me. And me. Father A, God bless you, my boys. Come near me. {Listening.) Hark I I heard a yell away down the mountain. Did you hear it, Bob } Bob M. No, Father Allen. It was the wind, I reckon, blowin' around the rocks. I often hear it so in the mountains at night. Father A. Well, I am getting kind of old, I reckon, and I ain't young, an' I feel the walking and starving more than younger men. Though I will say. Bob, I have eaten more of your bread than you have yourself {Listens.) I did hear a sound, Bob; I am not mistaken. It comes from towards Cumberland Gap. Bob M. (Steppijig out, shouts to a vidette along the rocks.) TomDawson ! Tom Dawson ! Echo. Hello ! Bob M. Can you see down the valley } Echo. I can, sir. Bob M. What do you see ? Echo. A light on the mountain. Bob M. All right Shout if it comes near. Echo, I will. Father A. I want to speak to all, for I feel the hour of our parting will soon come. {^Fugitives gather about Father A.] Lon^: G. Speak out. Father Allen, we are listening. Father A. You know that it will be death to fall into Thornton's hands. Fugitives. We do. Father A. You know that it will be death to return to Tennessee without the flag. Fugitives. We do. Father A. Let us bind ourselves together by an oath before Heaven, as we are now bound by our feelings. Are you willing to swear to stand by the last man till death, and the Union through life ? Fugitives. We are. Father A. Bob, give me the old flag. (Bob M. takes the flag from hunting pouch, and hands it to Father A.) Father A. All lay your hands on this flag, and repeat after me. {All i8 lay their hands on the flag aiid nneaier their heads^ as Father A. speaks in a slou\ solemn voice, with his face raised.) In the presence of God, here in his mountain temples, I pledge my worldly goods, and stand ready to lay down my life to defend this flag, which I swear to protect, as the emblem of the whole Union ; and I promise before Heaven always to stand by my brothers, who are here, and to permit neither myself nor them to be captured alive by the rebels ; and, if God spares my life, day and night, winter and sumimer, in sunshine and in rain, I will battle with this one heart object — to bring the flag in triumph to Tennessee and every part of the Union ; asking God to bless us, we swear. (Business.) Echo. They are coming all about us. Bob M. Come down! come! [To Long G.) Call in the guards. Here P^ather Allen, stand near this rock, where you will be safe. I think the day is breaking. {Shooti^ig in distance. Long O^O'^q^ enters.) Long G. Thornton is close by. We are lost. (Bob M. coolly raises his rifle and fires. The rest follow and fire briskly. A cry of pain is heard, as fugitives fall back, and Father A. falls dying, with his face to the mouittai7t. Tableau — Troops inarching 7ip the Mountain. Slow Music.) CURTAIN. ACT III. SCENE FIRST. Group of soldiers discovered at back. Cleaning inuskets, ^c. Others at fire. Saffi Roberts. (Coming down to C.) Louis, don't you think it's about time Wash was back } He has been gone two hours, and I see nothing of him yet. I am about played out, aint had nothing to eat since last night ; I am going to thrash him just as soon as I see him. Louis Ludhnv. Come, Sam, none of that ; Wash is not to blame if he is late in getting out here with the coffee. I told him to see if there was any letters. You know yesterday was mail-day ; there, you need not grumble any more, for here he is. Wash ciiters at L. E. Well, Wash, what is the news ; any letters } I am very anxious to hear from home ; it's almost a month since 1 got a letter. Wash. Yes Sir'ee ! Sergeant ! Dar am heap of news ; done had a big battle, and de Rebs Louis L. Oh ! Never mind about the battle or the Rebs, give me the letters. Wash. Yes, Sar, dats jest what I does, I never minds de battle or de Rebs, for I alius goes to de rear about dat time. For goodness ! I dun got dem letters somewhar, I know'd it — dar dey am, now boys run, got yer tin cups, and I dun gib yer some of de best coffee yer ever blowed yer bref on. Say ! Sam Robertsj I think you has a letter, I seed a little one Sam R. What do you know about my letters ? li ash. 1 know um ; I used to get dem from de same gal. Sam R. I swan to gracious, I'll bust your head, if yer say that you ever got a letter from my Abby. Wash. To take to ^^post-office, I guess yer had better let me finish my say before yer gets yer back up. Louis L. Come, stop this wrangling, Sam ! Here is a letter, and Jack 19 here is a letter for you — and a paper and letter for you Jackson — and two letters for myself— {turning away and crossing to right 2 E.) One from Lucy, I will read that one firsts [Reads letters.) IVash. Say ! Sam Roberts ! what Miss Abby say ; send anything to dis yer chile ? I'spect she done sent her Sam R. Look a'here, Wash ; what in thunder do you mean ? (Catck- iftg Wash, by the throat.) Wash. Her love to you, dat's what I mean, I 'clar to goodness, you is de worst man I eber seen, you don't let a feller get through, before you's got him by de throat. Sam R. Well, then, shut up — don't you see I am deeply interested in this letter ? Louis L. Well, Jack ! all the folks are well, but I don't like the idea of Lucy coming down here to nurse the wounded, and as she started on the day that this letter was mailed, she should be in Chattanooga now. Wash. Sergeant, I dun forget to told yer dat I heered dat dar whar whole lots of ladies from de Norf had arrived in camp and dey are gwine to take charge of de big hospital on de hill. Louis L. Wash, I wish you to go back to camp, and find out if Miss Johnson is among the ladies. Wash. What ! am Miss Lucy coming down here to nurse de wounded ? Noise outside — Shoutins", ^c, Louis L. Hello! what is the matter out there ! Two of our pickets are coming in and with them a prisoner. Sam R. Oh, that's nothing, only some Johnnie that wants to go North during summer. Enter Jim Hanson with Peter Hygley %vho is struggling and talking. Louis L. Who is this you have got ? Jim Llanson, We picked him up outside the picket line. A couple of us were out foraging and found him trying to hide. I think he is a spy ; shall we take him back to camp and have him shot. Exit r. 3 e. Peter LL. Nein ! nein ! mine friend ; I dond want to been shot. I was no Rebel. No, Sir'ee ! I was only a quiet citizen. I was looking for mine broder. His name w^as Yacob ; unt he lived by down by de blace of de name of Knoxville ; unt I was yust corned of dot blace ; unt I was shotted at, unt 'roled, unt den day dake me unt put into Jail Housens ; unt yust fife days ago slipped me oud, unt I was scooden yust so fast as I can, went dot men he was make me halt unt come mit him. Louis L. How do we know but what you are a spy ? Have you got any paper or letter to prove that. Peter H. Oh ! Yes ; I have got me a ledder from de German Consul at Zinzinnati, dot I was Peter Hygley of by Darmstadt ; und I was a soldier in mine country, unt I just dink me, off I dond can find my brudder, dat I will go mit de Union army, I was tired of myself, I was in so much trouble all de dime. Sam R. Say ! Dutchy ; yer had better join our fellows, they are a hunky set of boys, and will take good care of you. • Can yer drill and go through the manual ? 20 Peter H. Oh, yes ; I can done just what you want. Louis L. Fall in, men ; here conies the officer of the day. Enter officer of the day at Present arms. Officer. Well, Sergeant, how is it ; all quiet along the line ? Louis L, Some firing, and here is a man that was picked up on the picket line this morning. Officer. Well, my man ; what is your name, and what were you doing out beyond the picket line ? Peter LL. My name was Peter Hygley, unt I was comed down here to find my brudder. He was lived close by dis blace. You don't have seen my brudder sometimes. Officer. No ! We don't know anything about your brudder. I>on't you know you are liable to be shot as a spy, prowling round between the lines .^ I don't think you are one, but I must send you back to camp under guard, as a suspicious character ; and after the General has questioned and found vou all right, if you want to join my company, we will enlist you. Sergeant, send him back to camp. Louis L. {Salnting.) Jack and Jackson, take this man to headquarters and report. Enter Jim Hanson, hurriedly Saluting, Jim Hanso7t. There is something goins: on at the front, quite a dis turbance, as though the johnnies were chasing some one. [Shots are heard.') Officer. Sergeant, you wanted some excitement to break the monotony of camp, take your squad, and find out what is the matter. Don't advance too far. Be careful and report to me the result. Louis L. Fall in ! Sqiiad^ Shoulder arms. Right face, Right shoulder shift arms, fo7'7vard ; double quick inarch. Exit, 3 E. R. Officer. Men, take this man back with you. Peter H. Oh ! mister officer ; dey won't schoot me, will dey ? Oh ! mine brudder, where was you .'* Wash. Say ! Dutch, if you is done gone lost your brudder, I will be your brudder. T think you will suit me. Peter LL. Oh ! you gone off yourself. You was de devil's brudder, dat who you been. Officer. Com.e 1 men ; forward, march I Exit L. I. E. Wash ! you take care of these things. Wash. Yes, sar. I don't believe dat a Dutchman ; think he's a spy. I'se going back to camp. I will see who he am. [A couple of shots arc heard.) dar, dat i'll do, I'se off. Exit i. E. R. SCENE SECOND. Landscape or Wood. Enter Bob Mason, i. e. r. Bob M. By the ghost of Gineral Jackson, this looks bad for me. Wus'n an August frost, or a broken water wheel, an' no flour in the mill. Who'd have thought of Rebels so near our lines. I had to run like a stag before the bloodhoun's, last night, an' now, when I thought myself all safe, the dogoned gray cusses are all aroun' me, like the measels. If I kin jest get into our lines, we'uns will be ready. If I don't, may the Lor' help us, for they're cumin' down powerful strong — like a mountain river after a July 21 rain. Hist, there ! [Lays hands on pistol.) I'll try this way. Exit I. E. L* Enter, I. E. R. a Rebel scanty who crosses after Bob Mason. Next Tom Flynn, who crosses to the l. E. R., then stops ^ looks ahead^ then back, then retreats slowly back towards the R. I. E. Tom F. [Speaking as he retreats.) Well, Tom ; but this is nice business for ye' to be in, making a bloodhound of yourself, tracking Union men. Ey the powers, its a grand mistake ye's made in listening to that villain, Thornton. I am not on the right side, at all ; an' hasn't he broke his word with me. It's a sergeant he was going to make of me, an' I am not a corporal yit ! I don't like this scrape, an' I am going to git out of it in some way. I don't see that spalpeen behind me. I think I'll go back to camp. (Starts to go off I. e. r., 7vhe7t he is met by a Rebel Soldier.) Rebel Soldier. Halt, Tom. Who sent you back ? I have been ordered to watch you close, for you have been acting queer lately. Now, yu'uns had better go ahead and help git that ar Yank. To7n F. Be aisy, now. You see I jest thought of something, shure. It's my day to carry water to the cook, an' a divil a one of them Icnows where the spring is but meself ! Rebel Sol. Oh, come, that's too thin ; yu'un only want to get back to camp, that's what's the m.atter. To?n F. Shure, isn't that matter enough ? Rebel Sol. It will be a matter for both of us if you don't hurry up. Tom F. You'll not let me go back to camp ? Rebel Sol. No, sir ; nary a back. Tom F. I'll tell you what I'll do, we'll play a game of forty-fives to see who goes ahead, you or me ; what do you say ? Rebel Soldier. Ihe best thing you can do is to go ahead, we will be both reported to headquarters. 7 om F Ah, thin, I am off. [Exit L. i. E.^/olloiced by Rebel soldier.) SCENE THIRD. Enter Bob Mason, l. 3 e., crossing to right. Bob M. Thar, I see 'em groppin' along, an' movin' aroun' this way by the hill. If I had my rifle, I'd make it unpleasant for a few of 'em afore they gits up. [Goes right. Shout heard. Bob M. springs bach, drawing pistol. 'X Yell away, yeh dogoned sneaks. Ye'll find I'm harder to git than a cat-fish on the mountain top. \Shot is heard. Bob '^i.Jires, killing one of the ?nen. Retreats to left, when more Rebels enter ^ 3 E. R., and sur- round him .) Lieut, of R. Surrender ! surrender ! you Yankee bushwhacker ! Bob M. \lJ71fastening his belt and laying down his pistol s.l Thar, that's all yeh can have at present, as the catamount said whin thev took his skin off. Lieut, of R We will not only have your skin, but your life. That's too nice a coat for a Yankee bushwhacker. Come out of it. I want that hat. Com.e down from under that kiver. Lift it. [Ttp^ning to his ?nen.] This is Bob Mason, the scout. Bring a rope here, boys, we will soon make short work of him. Blast him, that firing was too close to the Yankee lines. Keep a good watch down there. You have killed Thomas Ludlow, one of my bravest men. You have been a curse to this region. 22 Have you anything to say before you die ? Bob M. I ain't much at speakin'. Wimen that live a long time, and cowards, have heaps of sjab. I have done nothing to bring a blush to my cheek since I was born. I've fought for the Union, an' my only sorrow at dyin' is that I can't live to help her more. I once had a hut in the mountain, and a wife and children. I loved my little home an' my wife an' babies, but you'uns hunted me down like a stag, from hill to hill, till I left the State. An' then, like cowards, in the cold winter, you'uns burned my hut to the grojn', an my wife and little ones starved in the mountain. My heart has long carried a fire lit by the men who ruined me an' mine. I've paid you. I am willin' to be at rest, an' meet them up thar. Lieut, of R. Swing him up, men. \^Me7t prepare to execute Bob M., when a cheer is heard.l Quick, men, the Yankees are coming ! [Shots heard. The man fastening the ivpe falls wounded. Rebels rally for an instant and then fall back, when Louis LuDl.OW dashes c?i wtik Union soldiers^ Louis L. {Frees Bob M.] Hello, Bob ! We came just in time. Bob M. I was never so glad to see frien's in my life, as the bear said to the honey bees. Louis L. I had command of our advance picket post. I heard the firing some time ago, and reported to the officer in command. He sent me out to ascertain what it was. I hurried on, and as I came up the hill I saw that wounded fellow with the rope, about to hang you. Bob M. [Looking at wounded Rebel.] He knows somebody saw him right smart at that time. Thar's another fellow dead over thar. lumis L Cfosses and examines dead Rebel?^ Merciful Heaven ! Bob, you have killed my brother. This is Tom, my poor, brave, misguided Tom. [Kneels beside the body, and feels the heart.] Dead, dead, dead. Oh, Tom ! God knows how I would have saved you at the risk of my life ! Your heart, my brother, was always right. [Rising.] There is no time for sorrow. Here, boys, we must carry the body back. Bring a couple of muskets. [Business^^ Bob M. Sergeant, afore Heaven, I didn't know he was your brother. My hand would wither afore it would be raised against you or yours. Louis L. [Seizing Bob M.'s hand]. You did your duty. Bob. May every soldier do as well. But that poor boy was my brother, and, bitterly as I hate this rebellion, I could not raise my rifle against him. My poor father, when you hear of this. [Scene closes.] SCENE FOURTH. Union Soldiers 7narch from L. to R. across stage in this scene. SCENE FIFTH. Dark wood. Music — " Yankee Doodle!' Battle Scene. Louis LAidlow and all Union Soldiers on right. Rebels 07i left. Business. Louis L. [Rismg and feeling bleeding head.] Where am I .? Where is the regiment.? [LLears Rebels yell.] Oh, God, we are beaten ! The colors — where are the colors } [L^ooks around and picks them up.] The enemy is falling back this way. My flag ; the flag that Lucy gave me ; the flag I swore a traitor's hand should never touch ; must it be disgraced now } 23 No, no ! Now, God give me strength. {^Takes flag from staff and opens his brcast.'l Here, near my heart, I will wear it. Here, till I die, will I carry the colors. [Conceals the flag in his breast.) They must not see the staff. Ah ! there's a hollow log. [Hides flag-staff] then fall s^ pressing his hand to his head^ Enter Alfred Thornton, with squad, l. e. 3. Alfred T. {Looking over the line.) The enemy is advancing in force. See ! they are pushing back our centre. {Cheer is heard'.) They have captured Nolan's battery. I fear the day is lost. [Recognizes Louis L.] Glory ! This is the happiest day of my life. A prisoner in my hands. Louis Ludlow, look at your comrades advancing. 'Tis the last time you will ever see that hated flag. [ To his 7nen ] Take this prisoner to the rear, quick. [Exit left, luith Louis L.] [Music — ^'Star Spangled Banner.''' Rebel troops fall back^ firing, to the left of stage. U?iion troops charge. Tableau.'] CURTAIN. ACT IV. SCENE FIRST. Room in Libby Prison. Louis LuDLOW disco^c'cred talking to a fellow Prisoner. Other prisoners in the background. Louis L. We kept it secret up to this time. To-night we are going out. Prisoner. You astound me, lieutenant. Please explain it. Louis L. To begin with — I am not a lieutenant I gave my name as an officer, hoping to escape with the colors I still carry, and believing I can make it right after I get out. Now, this tunnel we have been working on over a month, Colonel Rose, of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, planned. By removing the bricks in the wall of the floor below this, we descend into the basement. Once there, we cut through the foundation, and under the street. We come up to the east, near that warehouse where the boxes are stored. I have worked there nearly every night. Now, thank God, it is completed. You must be ready to go out to-night. Prisoner. Thank you, Ludlow, I will be ready. May I tell a friend of mine ? L^ouis L. Oh, yes ! But if too many know it I am afraid none of us can get out. By the way, here is a friend. You must leave me. [Enter Bob Mason, 2 d. l,, dressea as Rebel officer. Bob Mason and Louis Ludi.ow walk aside. Prisoners conversing in background. Louis L. Bob, you have kept me nervous every day since you came here ; now, on the eve of my escape, I think more of your safety than I do of my own. Bob M. It is easy to have a stout heart whin thar's no danger. Mine grows stronger whin I think of savin' you, and yours will not flutter whin you git out under the stars, an' feel God's fresh air a blowin' on your cheek, and know you are free. I'd die if I wuz a prisoner, as many brave men is dyin' here. Louis L. You know where the tunnel comes up near the warehouse } Bob M. 1 reckon I does. I've been a watchin' to see dirt raised thar for a week. 24 Louis L. To- night stand near the canal, dressed as a Rebel soldier. Have a gray coat ready for me, and when the guard calls, "One o'clock — Post Number Nine — All's well !" watch, I will be coming out of the tunnel. Bob M. I'll watch, an' I'll have suthin more than a coat. I've 'ranged to git some pistols and cartridges, besides plenty of fodder. Don't take none of this dogoned iron-clad corn bread you'uns have to eat heah. It's powerful ruinin' on the teeth. Louis L. Be careful, Bob, your detection would be certain death. • Bob M. I'll be keerful on your account. I used to fear death, comrade, but thar's not much to make it skeery now. I saw Thornton yesterday, the sneakin' cuss. Ijist wanted to look him in the eye, and tell him what 1 thought on him. L^oiiis Z. Time will make all things even. Wait ! Bob M. I will, till " One o'clock— Post Number Nine— All's well." Enter Rebel guard, 3 E. L. Exit Bob M., 2 E. L. Officer. Turn out for roll call, Yanks. [7\:> PRISONER ^?;?/f