"MAKE-UP" BOOK— HOW TO "MAKE-UP." A practical guide for Amateurs, with Twenty-three Colored Illustrations. Price, 50 cents. PS 2919 .S15 MS Copy 1 No. CCCCXIII ^'OH'S STANDARD DRAMA THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE A GRAND MILITARY PLAY IN FOUR ACTS W. ELSWORTH STEDMAN Author of '* The Confederate Spy," " The Confidential Clerk," " The Yankee Detective," etc., etc. TogetJier with Cast of Characters, List of Properties, Description of Costumes, and full directions for Acting and Presenting the Play, SCENE: LOOKOUT VALLEY DUR12^0 THE REBELLION. \ COPTKIGHT, 1892, BT T. H. Frbnch New ■foRK T. n. FRENCH SUCCESSOR TO SAMUEL FRENCH & SON publisher 28 West 23d Street London SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 89 STRAND MIAKE-XJP BOX. _ jntainincr Rnnerp Ppii Box Camel iature Puffs, Scissors and Looking Glas Boxes, $4.00 ; Elegant Tin Cases, $.5.00 THE ABOVE ARTICLES TO BE HAD SEPARATELY. packed nt'atly in Strong Fancy Card-board For Prioea, see O^talogne. FBENCH S DESCRIPTIVE LIST. SCENEHY. With a view to obviate the great difiBciilty experienced by Amateurs (particularly in country houses) in obtaining Scenery, &c., to fix in a Drawing Room, and then only by considerable outlay for hire and great damage caused to walls, we have decided to keep a series of Scenes, &c., colored on strong paper, which can be joined together or pasted on canvas or wood, according to requirement. Full directions, with dia- grams showing exact size of Back Scenes, Borders, and Wings, can be had free on •pplicatiou. The following four scenes consist each of thirty sheets of paper. GARDEN. The above is an illustration of this scene. It is kept in two sizes. The size of th« back scene of the smaller one is 10 feet long and 6}^ f^et high, and extends, with tha wings and border, to 15 feet long and 8 feet high. The back scene of the large one is 13 feet long and 9 feet high, and extends, with the wings and border, to 20 feet long and 11^ feet high. It is not necessai-y to have the scene the height of the room, as blue paper to represent sky is usually hung at the top. Small size, with Wings and Border complete, $7.50 ; large size, do., $10.00. WOOD. This is similar in style to the above, only a wood ecene is introduced in the centre. It is kept in two sizes, as the previous scene, and blue paper can be Introduced as be* fore indicated. Small size, with Wings and Borders complete, $7.60 ; large size, do., $10.00. FOLiIAG-C — This is a Bheet of paper on which foliage is drawn, which can b« repeated and cut in any shape required. Small size, 30 in. by 20 in., 25 cts. per sheet; large size, 40 in. by 30 in., 35 cts. per sheet. TREK TRUNK.— This is to be used with the foliage sheeta and placed at th« bottom of the scene. — Price and size same as foliage. DRAWING ROOM. This Bcene is only kept in the large size. The back scene is 13 feet long and 9 feet high, and extends, with the wings and borders, to 20 feet long and ll>jf feet high. In the centre is a French window, leading down to the ground, which could be made practicable if required. On the left wing is a fireplace with mirror above, and on tha right wing is an oil painting. The whole scene is tiistefuUy ornamented and beauti- ftSly colored, forming a most elegant picture. Should a box scene be required extra wings can be had, consisting of doors each side, which could be made practicable. Price, with Border and one set of Wings, $10.00 ; with Border and two sets of Wing% to form box scene, $1S.50. COTTAGE INTERIOR. This is also kept in the large size only. In the centre is a door leading outside. On the left centre is a rustic fireplace, and the right centre is a window. On the wings are painted shelve?, &c., to complete the scene. A box scene can be made by purchasing extra wings, as before described, and forming doors on each side. Price, with Border end one set of Wings, $10.00 ; with Border and two sets of Wings, to form box scene, $12.50. The above Scenes, mounted, can be seen at 28 West 23d St., ITew York. Full directions accompany each Scene. TheMidnightChaege W. ELS WORTH STEDMAN Author of "The Confederate Spy," "The Confidential Clerk, "The Yankee Detective," etc., etc. H Together with Cast of Characters, List of Properties, Description of Costumes, and full directions for Acting and Presenting the Play SCENE: LOOKOUT VALLEY DURING THE REBELLION Copyright 1892, bt T. H. French Ne-w York T. H. FRENCH SUCCESSOR TO SAMUEL FRENCH & SON publisher 28 West 23d Street London V^/3 ^X ^ SAMUEL FRENCH FUBLISHKR 89 STRAND fS^I'l .s SIMS AUTHOR'S PREFACE. In writing and arranging this military play, it has been the aim of the author to place before the people a drama purely moral in its character and language, entertaining in plot and de- tail, and with that pure humor to which none can take exception. The play is so arranged that it may be rendered on a small stage, with only a few actors, with pleasing effect. The gen- eral's horse, brass baud, marching soldiers, and even the quar- tette may be omitted without affecting the plot, or it may be played in full on a large scale, using any amount of people in the make-up. The scene and events mentioned in the dialogue are all correct war history, even to dates, and are backed by the best histories of the late rebellion, and many old soldiers, when witnessing its rendition, will recall to mind the events mentioned. There are few places at the present day which do not possess good materiaLfor a male quartette, and the simple addition of song in any play gives renewed vigor to its make- up. The songs written for the Pumpkin Blossom Club are in keeping with slavery days, and may l^e sung to almost any of the old war tunes used by the colored people of that day, or if a good quartette is not at hand, it may be omitted without in- terfering with the plot. Hoping our efforts may meet the wants of the G. A. R. and the public in general, we are, Yours truly, The Author. /Z'^ffto CAST OF CHARACTERS. Major-General Geary, U. S. A. Colonel Jones, U. S. A. Captain Danvers (victim of a vile plot). Dick Ryon (a Southern spy). Pat OHarra (a bright lad from the bogs). Jumbo (leader ob dePunkin Blossom Club). Charley Wood (a young but enthusiastic Unionist) Grace Wood (pride of the valley). Mrs. Wood (her mother). Sister Alice (friend of the suffering). Soldiers, Musicians, Singers, etc. Time of playing, two hours and thirty minutes. THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Costumes — Modern. Soldiers in appropriate uniform, according to their rank. Character of George Webb, dress of an old planter — high top boots, seedy coat, wide-rimmed hat, full gray beard and wig. Ladies in ordinary home dresses, except Sister Alice, who should dress in character of a Sister of Charity, with white band over her forehead, etc. ; if she will wear blue glasses it will make the change all the more complete when she throws If disguise in last act. Bill op Play. Act I. — Temporary headquarters of General Geary in an old abandoned blacksmith-shop, at Wauhatchie, Tenn., after the midnight charge. The general makes the acquaintance of Dick Ryon, the Southern spy, alias Lawrence De Witt, a traitor in blue. Charley Wood visits headquarters. Captain Dunvers wounded. March of the Boys in Blue. Ryon happy. News from Washington. Jumbo comes out to see the Yanks, " What massa say hab horns on dere heads." Serenade by " dc Punkin Blossom Club." Jumbo gets a bad scare. Sister Alice secures a position as nurse at the hospital. News from Hooker. Shoeing the general's horse. Grand anvil chorus. Act II. — Home of Mrs. Wood. The wounded captain. Troubles of war. Jumbo and his chickens. " I'ze do leader ob de Punkin Blossom Club." Charley gets excited. Captain Danvers has a battle with Cupid. The latter victorious. Love and bombshells. Ryon's desperate game. The midnight as- sassin. Good news. " Father and brother are coming home." Jollification. Pat scores a point. Captured with a whiskey- bottle. Sister Alice gives the midnight marauder a warm wel- come. Go before it's too late. Picture. Act III. — Lookout Valley. Council of war. Good news from the spy. George Webb. Jumbo visits his old master's cellar and hen-roost. "Bacon am comin' down." Map of Bragg's location. Ryon and Pat have a slight misunderstand- ing. "You Irish devil, take that for your impudence." Pat retaliates. Ryon in a bad boat. Knowledge is power. George Webb becomes the victim of a designing devil. Stabbed in the back. Charley Wood an unwilling witness. "Mother." Captain Danvers in the toils. That tell-tale knife. Grace Wood and her lover. " The whole world cannot make me believe you guilty." A hard blow. The captain in despair. Act IV. — Court-martialled. Drill of the " Punkins." Pat and his nose. Jumbo as a drill-master. " We'ze in de line ob THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. O battle." General Geary as judge. The fatal letter. Con- demned. Ryon tells Ms story. The champion liar of '63. Arrival of Grace Wood. Ryon gets uneasy. That packet of old letters. "Compare them, general." The tables turned. Arrival of the dirty boy. Charley tells his story. Ryon cor- nered. Jumbo and his big rope. Sister Alice gives Ryon a bit of friendly advice. Captain Danvers saved by the girl he left behind him. Mother's hungry boy. Ryon in the soup. Home for supper. Happy denouement. Good-night. List op Properties. Act I. — Pine table and camp-stools, box for Jumbo to sit on in First Act, sword on table, horseshoes, anvil and blacksmith tools, large fly brush, pistol for Pat, map, letters for general. Act II. — Piano-cover with cord draped on corner, or if no piano is used, the cord and tassels should be used on fancy chair or picture easel, whiskey-bottle for Pat, knife and letter for Ryon, basket for Jumbo, sling for Captain Danvers's arm, pistol for Ryon's hip-pocket. * Act hi. — Field-glass for Ryon, tablet for general, pistol for Pat, also cartridge, stretcher, letter for Webb, knife for Ryon. Act IV. — Letter for general, package of letters for Grace, large rope for Jumbo, letter for Charley, red sponge for Pat's nose. Stage Directions. R. means right — the actor facing the audience ; L., left ; C, centre ; R. C, right centre ; R. U. E., right upper entrance; L. U. E., left upper entrance, etc. L. 1st E., Left first entrance, nearest to the foot-lights ; R. 1st E., opposite, etc. Coming down, means coming to front of stage. Going up, means back part of stage, etc. THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. ACT I. SC'E'KEl.— Interior Tuw of an old hhchmith-shop {temporary headquarters of General Geary) ; anvil, c. ; ^;a^e«^ joor- tdble forge, r. c. ; hammers, tongs, horseshoes, etc., lying around; lath-tub near forge ; large hair fly -brush on r. wing ; large window at back, shoicing camp scene in the dis- tance ; walls and tcings painted to represent horseshoes on pegs; tools of different kinds hung on icall, etc. As cur- tain rises. General Geary sits left of large table, standing back, c, looking at map, lohich he has spread on table. Col- onel Jones sits on an old dry-goods box right of table. Pat O'Harra rolled up in blanket, on floor, back of Colonel Jones, and close to back scene. Orderly and generaVs staff {any number) sitting around on camp-stools, r. and l. General Geary. Gentlemen, the midniglit charge of the enemy last night wa.s the most complete surprise to our sol- diers that we have ever witnessed. Colonel Jones. I think our boys did well, notwithstand- ing they were very tired from yesterday's long march, and were sleeping soundly at the time of the surprise. Gen. G. They acted nobly, and I guess the Confederates thought they had awakened the wrong men. Col. J. The Seventy-third Ohio and Thirty-third Massa- chusetts had a hard fight, and dislodged the enemy from their works, on the second hill, toward Brown's Ferry. Gen. G. Yes; so I understand. The enemy withdrew from battle with us as soon as the skirmish commenced on the hill. Col. J. They were afraid of being cut off from recrossing the river. Gen. G. Who was the scout that gave you the information regarding the movement of the enemy ? Col. J. I do not now remember his name ; I have it at my quarters. He was one of the survivors at the battle of Gettys- burg. He was captui'ed by the enemy, but managed, a few days later, to escape, and worked his way back to our lines. He tells me that he came to our brigade just as we were tak- ing the train at Manassas Junction. He has been with us ever since, though I don't remember seeing him imtil we were at Bridgeport. He reported to me on the 30th of September, and O THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. asked to remain with us till he could have an opportunity cf joining his OAvn regiment. Gen. G. How did you chance to use him as a scout ? Col. J. He informed me that he had been doing spy work most of the time for the last twelve months, and he offered to cross Lookout Creek and ascertain the force of the enemy, which I commissioned him to do, and I must say he played one of the cleverest tricks on the Johnnies that I have seen for many a day. He disguised as an old negress, and actually walked straight into the enemy's lines with her basket of yams on her head, and not a question asked, and came back the same way. Gen. G. "Where is the fellow ? Col. J. He is about camp somewhere. I will look for him if you wish. Gen. G. Have you learned whether Webb has returned yet ? Col. J. Do you refer to the spy who stops wdth Captain Bookwalter's command ? Gen. G. Yes ; his name is George Webb. CoL. J. I never knew his name; the boys call him " Scotty" for short. Yes. sir; he returned from Knoxville all right, and Captain Book waiter sent him away on some other mission just before their fight on the hill last night. Gen. G. I wish you would send a messenger to Bookwalter and ascertain if the scout has returned. Col. J. Is it possible, general, that you haven't heard of Captain Bookwalter's death ? Gen. G. {astonished). Dead ! My God, no ! I saw him only last night at ten o'clock. Col. J. It's too true, general. The captain was wounded in the first charge, while leading his men to battle, and died be- fore daylight this morning. Gen. G. And the nation has lost one of her bravest and noblest sons. {To staff.) Gentlemen, you may as well try and get some sleep ; if you are needed I will send for you. {Staff all salute and exit, l. c. Colonel Jones, 07-te orderly, and Pat [loho is rolled up in blanket] remain.) I hope nothing has happened to Webb ; he is a brave fellow, and we should hardly know how to fill his place. Yes, colonel, you may find the new man and bring him here. (Colonel Jones salutes and retires, l. c.) {Voice heard outside.) Colonel Jones, here is a lad who re- ported at the picket line that he wished to speak with General Geary. CoL. J. {oxitside). What do you want, young man ? Charley Wood {outside). Please, sir, may I speak with General Geary ? Col. J. Have you anything of importance to say to the general ? THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 9 Gen. G. Colonel, let the boy enter. Enter Charley, l. c, and removes cap. Gen. G. Well, my lad, what is it ? Chas. Sir, there's a wounded Union officer at our house, and he sent me to ask you for an ambulance and surgeon. Gen. G. Did he oive his name ? Chas. Yes, sir; Captain Danvers. Gen. G. (surprised). Captain Danvers! Yes, yes, my boy; the ambulance and attendance will go at once. {To orderly.) Ste that Surgeon Copeland with an ambulance are ready, and await further orders from me. {Orderly salutes and exits, L. c.) Where do you live, my boy ? Chas. About one mile the other side of Wauhatchie. Gen. G. In the yellow cottage on the hill ? Chas. Yes, sir. Gen. G. I supposed a Southern family were living there. Chas. My father and brother are both in the Southern army, sir, from necessity, notivora. choice. My mother and sister are Unionists at heart, but it is worth our lives to mention it openly. . Gen. G. Supposing your neighbors should know of your jieople favoring our wounded soldiers, and of your coming here. CiiAS. There are only two between our home and this place who know me, and I frequently pass there on my way to town. Gen. G. You are a brave lad, and I wish you and your peo- l)le were North, away from this trouble. Chas. The people at the North, sir, know very little of the hardships and privations endured by us here in the South, Gen. G. Your language doesn't indicate that you were Southern born. Chas. No, sir; I was born in Ohio, where we lived until I was about eight years of age. Then my parents came South, and left me with my grandfather, who died in 1858, when I joined my people here. Gen. 6. My boy, you are surrounded by your native country- men. The Seventy-third Ohio Infantry are camping on one of the hills, about two miles this side of Brown's Ferry. Enter Colonel Jones, followed hy James Ryon, the Southern Spy. Chas. (^oRyon). Good-morning, Mr. Ryon; I am surprised to see you here. (Ryon places hisjingers to lips.) Oh, excuse me, sir; I thought you were an old friend of our family! Ryon. Then you are mistaken. I never saw you before. CoL. .J. General, this is Mr. De Witt — the man you wished to see. Gen. G. Be seated, Mr. De Witt. Colonel, take this lad to 10 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Surgeon Copeland, and let him ride home in the ambulance. Tell the surgeon to go to the house where the boy will direct, and bring Captain Danvers to the hospital. Col. J. What! Is the captain hurt ? Gen. G. Yes ; wounded in last night's engagement. Is he badly hurt, my lad ? Chas. I couldn't say how serious it may be, sir. I think he said it was done by a bullet which passed through his arm be- low the elbow. He bled pretty bad. Mother and sister have bandaged his wounds as best they can. Gen. G. You may come in camp again if you like. {Giving card.) This will pass you inside the lines at any time. Chas. {taking card). Oh, thank you, sir! I shall be glad to come often. [Follmcs Colonel Jones o^^t, l. c. Gen. G. {to Ryon). Are you the man who Colonel Jones sent into the enemy's lines yesterday ? Ey. Yes, sir. Gen. G. How did you form the erroneous opinion that their forces were so light ? Ry. I loitered around, and heard some officers talking to the effect that they could not stand an attack imtil re-enforcements arrived, as Longstreet was about leaving for Knoxville with twenty thousand men, and also that they were short on am- munition and rations. Gen. G. All of which proved quite to the contrary at last night's battle. Ry. General, I did the best I could under the existing circum- stances and in the limited space of time allotted me. I was very much surprised myself when the attack was made. I did not think they would dare venture over the river. Gen. G. I do not attach any blame to you. I realize it is a hazardous place to fill, and we can't expect a fellow to be suc- cessful every time. Where do you belong ? Ry. I did belong to the First Corps, under General Rey- nolds. I was taken prisoner at Gettysburg on the first day of July, about ten minutes after our general was killed. I es- caped from the rebs a few days later, and wandered about, try- ing to get out of the country unobserved, when luckily I came upon the camp of the Seventy-third Ohio, and came on the train with them. Gen. G. You have served as a scout, I understand. Ry. I have served as a spy for about a year and a half. Gen. G. By order of Reynolds ? Ry. Yes, sir ; under his personal instructions. Gen. G We want a trustworthy man of your stamp. Would you mind remaining with us and do secret work ? Ry. I would prefer to get permit from my superiors first, but will gladly serve you until I can communicate with them. Gen. G. {taking 2^en and paper). What is your name ? THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 11 Ry. Lawrence De Witt, sir. Gen. G. What was your company ? Ry. I was of General Reynolds's staflf, sir. Gen. G. I will communicate with the corps, and get permit for your transfer to us. By the way, did you know the lad who was present when you came in ? Ry. No, sir ; I did not. May I ask where he came from ? Gen. G. He lives near hear. A distant drum heard heating march time, which must he very low at first and gradually sound louder, as if coming near. Ry. Do I understand right, that you have a wounded Union officer stopping there ? Gen, G. Only since last night. We have just sent the am- bulance for him. By the way, De Witt, do you know the lay of the land around here at all ? Ry. Not very thoroughly, but I am not easily lost when I once get my bearings. Gen. G. {rising and taking newspaper from pockety. I wish to inspect this regiment. Here is some late news from Washing- ton that will interest you till my return. I wish to talk with you further on the subject. {Gives paper ?) Ry. Very well, sir; I will wait here till your return. [General Geary exits, l. e. Ry. {aside). Thanks awfully, General Geary. You couldn\ do me a greater favor than to give me these papers. I shall be able to report to General Bragg how matters are getting on in Washington. {Lights a cigar, jjuts his feet on table, and proceeds to take life easy while he looks at jmper. The drum should soon come to its highest pitch, and the tramj) of marching men should he heard outside; voice of officer heard giving commands.) Halt! {Brum and noise stop.) Battalion, left face ! Present arms 1 Order arms ! Parade ! Rest ! Gen. G. {lieard outside). Good-morning, colonel. Officer. Good-morning, general. Gen. G. Your men show the want of rest ; I will walk down to camp with you. There is a fine plot of ground just below here that will make a good place to bivouac. Officer. Attention, battalion ! Shoulder arms ! Right face ! Forward, march ! {Drum heats march time or hand plays ; soldiers pass the hack large tcindow in military march, l. to r. By a little quick and skilful manoeuvring a few soldiers, with muskets, can represent a whole hrigade. As soon as the head ones have passed the window, let them hurry quickly around, hack of the scenes, and fall in again. The hand can recross if wished, though it would he well to change hats and coats, if possible, and j)l.ay a different piece of music A flag could be carried across, and after a proper 12 THE MIDKIGHT CHARGE. intei'val one of a different style, etc. This part can he made very effective if great care and dexterity are used in producing it.) Ry. {lays dotcn paper ; takes note-hooh and pencil from pocket, and stands Reside windoic, as if talcing notes on the passing col- umn). Ahem! wouldn't General Geary look -wild if he knew he had left his headquarters to the watchful care of Dick Ryon, the Southern spy ? Talk about Yankee shrewdness ! As a class they are as dumb as oysters. Catch one of our Con- federate generals walking demurely off, leaving his head- quarters in charge of an entire stranger. {Sitting.) But then that is my good luck; if he were more careful I wouldn't find it as good picking here. {Last soldier passes the window, and music dies away in distance. After all is quiet, a quartette vf colored singers are lieard outside in song and chorus.) Rt. {listening). Another country heard from. {Beads paper till end of song.) Enter Jumbo, l. c. ; makes a low how. Jumbo. Am I 'trudin', sah ? Ry. What do you want ? JuM. Did yo' heah de music, sah ? Ry. Music ! What music do you mean ? JuM. Yah! yah! Sho now, massa, didn't ye heah de Pun- kin Blossom Club singing at ye ? Ry. No, I didn't. What do you want, anyway ? JuM. We jes' come out to see de Lincum sojers, what massa say hab hons on dar heads. Am yo' one ob dem fellahs ? Ry. Do I look like I have horns, you black rascal ? Get out of heie. JuM. Didn't mean no kind ob harm, boss ; I swar to good- ness I didn't. Ry. Why are you in here ? JuM. Am yo' de digadeer brindle ? Ry. The what ? JuM. De boss ob dis yer gang ob sojers ? Ry. This is General Geary's headquarters for to-day. Why ? JuM. I want to spoke wid de boss. Am dat yo' ? Ry. No ; General Geary is out, and you had better get out before he returns. JuM. Kaze why ? Ry. {pointing to L. c). Do you see that door ? JuM. {hacking to door). Yas, sah. Maybe yo' don't know who yo'ze spokin' at; does ye, white man? Ry. Well, who are you ? JuM. I'ze de head spokeman ob de Punkin Blossom Club, sah; an' I know who yo' is, too. Ry. The devil you do ! JuM. Yas, sah. Yo'ze one ob dem fellahs what I used to THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 13 drihe in de cotton field; doy hab long ears an' talk like dis yere. (Puts his hands vp hy his head in imitation of ears, and brays like a donkey. Ryon j^i^ks up a camp-stool to throw, and Jumbo dodges out, l. c.) Gen. G. {heard outside). Great heavens, man, can't you see where you are going ? JiTM. {outside). Fo' de good Lawd sake, massa, I didn't mean to run agin' ye. Swar to goodness gracious I didn't. Gen. G. What were you doing in there ? Juii. I jes' went in to see de boss ; dat's all. Gen. G. What do you want ? JuM. Me an' de oder coons what belong to de Punkin Blossom Club, we stealed away au' come to see de Lincum sojers. Am yo' de gineril ? Gen. G. I am General Geary. Why ? JuJi. Doan yo' want er niggah ? Gen. G. {entering). No ; we have more colored people now than we can manage. JuM. {following him in). Say, gineril, I'ze de coon what can do moah work dan any niggah in dis yer town. Gen. G. What can you do ? JuM. Tote de wood an' wattah, an' cook, an' — an' take care ob de hoss, an' shine yo' boots, an' — an' — Gen. G. {interrupting him). Lie and steal. JcM. No, sah; I nebber tole a lie in my life or stealed a chicken. But say, boss, I know whar dar am some nice chickins roostin'. Gen. G. How did you get inside the lines ? JuM. De which ? Gen. G. The picket lines. JuM. Didn't done seed any picket lines, gineril. We seed a lot ob sojers comin' dis yar way, so we jist jined on de hind end an' come along; dat's all. Gen. G. Who do you mean by " we "? Are there more than you ? JuM. Yas, sah ; four oder coons ob de Punkin Blossom Club. Gen. G. Were are they ? JuM. Do' know, boss ; guess dey am gone to git situations. Gen. G. What do you mean ? JuM. Oh, we'ze all gwan tcr stay wid Massa Lincum's sojers if dey doan dribe us away. Say, gineril, wish you'd keep dis yar chile. Gen. G. I had one fellow of your stripe, and he got to be such a liar that I turned him out. JuM. I clar to goodness, boss, I nebber will pesticate yo' dat way. Gen. G. I haven't time to talk with you now. Come back in half an hour. 14 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. JuM. Yas, sah. {Makes a iowhoio and exits, t,. c.) Gen. G. {to Ryon). Do you think, Mr. DeWitt, that you can make the trip to Chattanooga and take a message to Gen- eral Thomas, and after that enter the lines of Bragg's army and ascertain the eyact position and number of his men ? Ry. It's a risky piece of business, sir, but I'll try it. Gen. G. I will write a note to Thomas. ( Talces pen and paper and writes note, Ryon reads paper while Genekal Geaky writes.) Enter orderly, L. c, with letter, which he hands to General Geary, who reads and lays on table. Gen. G. {to orderly). Tell General Grant his orders will be promptly obeyed. {Orderly salutes and exits, l. c. General. Geary /oMs letter and hands to Ryon.) Gen. G. Deliver that letter to General Thomas in person. He will give you a pass to go in and out of his lines, and as you return from the enemy's lines report to General Thomas what you have learned, then come to me. Ry. Will you be here when I return ? Gen. G. I have just received orders from General Grant to remain here and hold our position in the valley. So we shall be here when you return, unless driven out by the enemy. Ry. I will set out at once. Gen. G. It will not be necessary to inform you that your task is a hazardous one, and that the greatest caution must be exer- cised. Ry. I have already learned that lesson by sad experience. [Exits, L. c. Enter Colonel Jones, l. c. Col. J. {salutes). General, there's a lady outside who wishes to speak with. you. Gen. G. Show the lady in, colonel. Colonel Jones exits, l. c, and returns loith Sister Alice, dressed as a Sister of Charity. Colonel Jones exits again. Gen. G. {lifting his hat). Please be seated, madam. These are not very inviting apartments for a lady, but you are wel- come. Sister Alice. No apology is necessary, general. I came to offer my services in caring for the sick and wounded. Are you in need of any assistance at the hospitals ? Gen. G. Yes, madam ; we are very much in need of female nurses. But are you fully aware of the hardships one must undergo in such, a capacity ? THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 15 Sister A. I understand, sir. Gen. G. {tahing notes). May I inquire your name and residence ? Sister A. Of late I have been residing in Chattanooga, where I am known as Sister Alice. Gen. G. General Thomas would probably have been glad of your services, and he is now in Chattanooga. Sister A. His hospitals are well provided with good nurses, several of whom are women. I thought perhaps I could be of more service here. Gen. G. You are a brave little woman, and I assure you we shall appreciate your kind assistance. When will you enter on your new duties ? Sister A. At once, if you please. Gen. G. Very well; I will accompany you to the division hospital and introduce you to the surgeons, and after a few weeks' trial, if you like the situation, you will be duly enrolled as hospital nurse. Sister A. Thank you, general ; I will try and prove myself trustAvorthy. Enter Colonel Jones, l. c. Col. J. General, Surgeon Copelaud sends word that Captain Danvers is not in condition to be moved, and suggests that a nurse be detailed to care for him where he is for a few days. Gen. G. Say to Surgeon Copeland that I will ride over in a few minutes and bring a nurse with me. (Colonel Jones salutes and exits, l. c.) Sister Alice, have you had any previous expe- rience in this work ? Sister A. No, sir ; but I think I can make myself useful. I can at least obey orders. Gen. G. We have a badly wounded officer stopping at a private house. Would you object to going there ? Sister A. Certainly not; I will go wherever I may be of service to the suffering. May I ask at whose house he is stopping ? I am slightly acquainted in Wauhatchie. Gen. G. Their name is Wood. Do you know them ? Sister A. I — I have — have heard the name before. Gen. G. We will drive over there. [Both exit, l. c. Jumbo (heard outside). Gineril, am dat half hour up ? Gen. G. Go inside and stay till my return. Enter Jumbo, l. c, tcith large carpet-bag and ianjo or guitar. Lays instrument on taUe, and throws hag under table, then comes down. JuM. By golly, dis yar nigga'.iam a Yankee now! I'ze gwan i(i THK MIDNIGHT CHARGE. wid Massa Geary an' help fo' ter liberate de oder coons. {LooMng round.) By golly, I wonder what fo' de gineril move his family in dis yar ole shop for ! {Spies sioord lying on table, and picks it iijh) Dar am one ob dcm Yankee toof picks. (Takes sword from scahhard and tries to piclc Ids teeth icith it., then holds it up and tries to give a descriptive lecture of it.) Ladies an' gemen, I'zehearn tell obdat ole shord befoah. Dat am de same ole cheese knife dat George Washingham used in de Eet- ributionary War. It war made out ob an ole plowshar at Mistah Valley's forge. De hammers an' tongs had been all stoled away by de Barber Frichie, so Massa George had ter poun' out de hot iron wid de back ob his leetle hatchet. Once he made a big mistake an' hit wid de wrong side, an' dat's what make dem knick in dis ole corn cuttah. Dey say de Yankee hossifers am mighty handy wid a shord. When dey hab em up dis way (brandishes sword above head), dey can cut dar way fro a cyclone, an' when dey hab em by dar sides, like dis yar (holds sword by his side), dey can cut a swell. (Struts across stage.) Ladies an' gemen, dis ain't de same shord dat David use when he kill de Liah, kaze dat war a stun ; but dis ole blade hab cut off moah chickins' heads, an' killed more yeller dorgs dan eber war born. Dis am de same ole shord dat war used by Ephreham Allen when he walk right inter Fort Tyconderado wid his dorg an' gun an' two oder coons, an' said ter de boss cook (loudly), I deman' de suspen- der ob dis plantation in de name ob great guns an' de continu- al (stopjs to think, and scratches his head) — continual House ob Correction. (Holds up sheath.) Now, my deluded hearers, I will gib you de history ob dis yar. It am ter hold de aforesaid shord. (Lays sword on table, and taking banjo, sits on box close in front of Pat, near his head, so that he, Pat, may be able to fire pistol -without moving.) Guess I'll try an"joy myself tillde boss arribe. (Plays and sifigs some favorite melody, and at end of last verse V Arc fires a 2nstol directly underbox where Jumbo sits. Jumbo yells loudly and springs high in air, while Pat rolls out of hlaiiket to centre of floor, then springs quickly up and jumps around, as if about to fight. Jumbo drops on both knees and shakes with fright. If he has on a movable fright tcig, so much the better.) Pat. Ye haythen Choineze nagur, phere did the loikes av ye come from ? JuM. Say — say, massa, I clar to goodness Inebber did see yo' befo'. Pat. Phat in the name av Saint Pathrick de ye want around here, ony way, raisin' sich a halabaloo when a respectable Irish- man wants to shlape ? Bedad, av ye'U wait whoile Oi get me auld gun Oi'll blow yer two black eyes intil wan. {Exits, l. c. JuM. (rising quickly). By golly, dat am a insult to de Punkin Blossom Club ! Now, dat ole hibernicum snoozer am gone ter THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 17 git his gun ter kill a niggiili. Now, you 'spoze I'ze 'fraid ob dat fellah ? No, sail. {Plcka up pistol from behind box and looks into muzzle.) By golly, dat fell'ah am a dead Yankee! {'Takes position beside doo)% l. c.) Jes' let dat ole snoozer come in dar now. (Listens.) I heah 'im comiu'. Enter Colonel Jones, l. c. Jumbo quicMy sticks pistol under colonel's nose and calls loudly. JuM. Drop dat gun, you ole debil, kaze I'ze gwan ter shute. Col. J. {springing to centre of room and drawing pistol). You bla.sted nigger, what do you mean ? Jd.m. {failing on knees). Oh, Lawd, massa, I done took yo' fo' dat hibernicum what's been pesticating dis yar chile. I didn't mean no kind ob harm, boss. Col. J. Get up and out of this, you black imp; and if I catch you here again I'll break every bone in your body. JuM. Massa, Gineril Geary said I war ter stay heah till he come back. CoL. J. (taking him by collar). Get out of this. (Shoves him out, L. c.) JuM. {heard outside). Say, boss, do yo' know I'ze de leader ob de Punkin Blossom Club ? Col. J. (cuUi/ig after him). Well, if you come in here again, you'll get a club of a different kind. {Sits at table with back to L. and proceeds to write. ) Pat, after a pause, enters quickly with gun and fixed bayonet, ■ic ith which he proceeds to prod tlie colonel in the back. Pat. Git outen this now, ye black divil. Oi'll learn ye to be breakin' av me shlumbers. CoL. J. (grasps st€oj-d from table and springs up quickly). What in the name of Satan are you prodding me with that bayonet for ? (Raising sword.) I've a mind to cut you wide open, you Irish fool. Pat. Oi beg yez pardon, sor, a thousand toimes. I thot ye were thot ither nagur phat's been botherin' the loife out av me. Col. J. (feeling of his back). You blasted idiot, haven't you any eyes in your head ? I ought to give you a sound thrashing. Pat. Be the days av Saint Pathrick, sir, Oi meant no harum. Col. J. Go outside, sir, and stand guard till relieved by me. (Pat brings gun to shoulder arms, and saluting Colonel Jones, marches out in military style. Colonel Jones sits at table, and proceeds to write as before.) 18 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Enter General Geary and staffs l. c. ; men sit or stand at will. Gen. G. Those rebels on Point Lookout are terribly annoy- ing to our army and moving trains in the valley. I wish there was some way to dislodge them. Enter Pat, l. c, with letter, which he hands to General Geary. Pat. Gineril, an' ortherly on astride av a yaller hoss gav' thot same til me, an' said Oi shud bring it til yer highness. Gen. G. (opens letter and reads aloud). General Geary: Please come to my headquarters as soon as possible on receipt of this. Hooker. Gen. G. {to Pat). Patrick, get my horse at once. Pat. But, sor, your hoss have lost a shoe from his fut. Gen. G. Lost a shoe! Well, sir, why haven't you had it replaced ? Pat. Bedad, sor, the smiths are still in the rear an' haven't arriv yet. Gen. G. Well, that is great ! What am I to do ? JuM. {sticlcing his head in, l. c). Say dar, gineril, I can shoe dat horse. Gen. G. You ! Did you ever shoe a horse ? JuM. {coming bi). Yas, sah; an' mule, too. Gen. G. Well, I don't want to trust you. Col. J. General, I have a man who can help you out of this trouble. Shall I bring him ? Gen. G. Yes, colonel, at once. (Colonel Jones exits, l. c.) Patrick, bring my horse. Pat. ThotOi will, sor. [Exits, L. c. JuM. {tahing down horse-hair irush). Gineril, I can keep away de blue tail fly. Say, gineril, de Punkin Blossom Club am out heah ; can dey come in an' sing fo' yo' ? Gen. G. Yes ; bring in your club. [Jumbo exits, l. c. Enter Pat, l. c, with the horse, followed hy Jumbo and quar- tette of colored singers, who form in line on either side of anvil and sing anvil chor^is. The ttco singers farthest from anvil should each have' two steel horseshoes, which they clinh together in unison with the other two singers, who each stride on anvil with hammers. The anvil and horse- shoe chorus are to ie used in chorus of song as marked hy stars. After song is nearly done. Colonel Jones enters, L. c, with jierson who is to do shoeing. A stage-whispered THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 19 consultation takes place between them and General, Geary, when the man proceeds to shoe horse. Curtain may go down at end of song, or may remain zip till horse is shod. SONG AND CHORUS BY PUNKIN BLOSSOM CLUB. Ole massa say dat de Yankees hab hons, But we doan belebe it. [Basso repeats, No, we doan belebe it. An' dat day will steal all yo' taters an' corn, But we doan oelebe it. [Basso repeats, etc. So we runed away an' come down ter de camp. An' we'ze gwan tei" trabil along wid Gineril Grant ; So, call back de dogs, fo' kotch us yo' cant. An' some day you'll belebe it. Chorus. Den dribe away de fly While we make de anvil ring, * * Dar am music in de air ; [strokes on anvil and horseshoes. We'ze as happy as a king, * * An' we'ze gwan ter fight fer Uncle Sam, x Or bust a ham string. An' help fer ter liberate de niggahs. X X X X Ole massa say we mus' git up in de morn, But we doan belebe it. [Bass, etc. An' go down ter de field fer ter cultivate de corn. But we doan belebe it. [Bass, etc. We'ze got tired ob workin' in de cotton an' de cane, An' we'll fight wid Lincum's sojers till de victory am gain; Den we'ze gwan up Norf by de berry fust train, An' doan yo' f erget ter belebe it. [ Chorus. Ole massa tinks he's sabed kaze he make long prayer, But we doan belebe it. [Bass, etc. Some day de debil kotch him unawares, But he doan belebe it. [Bass, Ole massa doan belebe it. He'll swar till ebery thing am blue An' flog de niggah like gehue, Till de ole man mose go up de flue ; Yo' jes' bet we belebe it. [Bass, Yas, we do belebe it. [ Chorus. Jeff Davis tinks he's mighty smart. But we doan belebe it. [Bass, etc. Fer de cullud race he hab no heart, 20 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. But some folks doan belebe it. He'll soou get busted, dat we know, Fer de Lincum sojers ain't so slow; An' when Jeff die he'll go below, Ole Satan he belebe it. \_Bass, No, dey doan belebe it. \^Bass, De debil he belebe it. [ Chorus. {The last verse should ie used as an encore.) Curtain, trp. Large Window. Geary. Table. I Col. J. his nose toward l. u. e.) Guess dey am eatin' fried chickin out dar. By golly, I can smell 'em bref. Pat (sitting, r. c). Hould yer jaw, ye black divil, it's ashamed Oi am to be caught in yer company. JuM. (looking through the corner of his eye at Pat). Look heah now, yo' white man, doan yo' go fo' ter pesticate me dat way, kaze Pze a bad niggah if yo' git me mad. Pat. Och, may the divil fly away wid yer. Av ye don't moind ver manners Oi'U report yez to the court-marshal, be- dad. Enter Captain Danvers, followed hy Grace, l. u. e. Cap- tain Danvers has his napkin on, as if just from dinner. Capt. D. What is all this racket about ? Pat. (saluting). The haythen nayger wouldn't hould his jaw, sor. Jtbi. He war pesticating me, boss. Capt. D. Shut up, sir! Who gave you fellows the liberty to come in hero in this sly manner ? Pat. The nayger. sor, said he war a friend av the family. Capt. D. (to Grace). E.xcuse me, Grace, perhaps I am as- suming too much authority. Grace. He is the person who came with the chickens this morning. I never saw him before that. Capt. D. Oh, this is the follow who was alone in the room. Will you please say to Charley that he need not carry the note, as it was in regard to this fellow. (Grace exits, l. u. e.) What do you fellows want here, anyway ? Pat. The ginoril sint the nayger wid a lethcr fer yez this mornin', an' the big booby didn't liave brains enough to deliv- er the same till ye, so he sint mosilf to bring the lether, an" the ould varmint to show me the way. (Gives letter.) JcM. (shaking Jist at Pat). I done broke yo' jaw when I 32 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. kotch yo' out, yo' lyin' debil. Spoze I'ze gwan ter put up wid yo' pestications any mo'? No, sah; I'ze gwan ter — Capt. D. (quicMy interrupting him). Shut up! {Sits in easy- chair, K. u. E.) Are you the chap that brought the fowls this morning ? JuM. No, sah ; I brung de chickins. Capt. D. Did you sit in this chair when here this morning ? JuM. Yas, sah; I did, sah. Capt. D. Did you have your hands in this coat ? JtJM. No, sah ; I hab my hans in my own coat. C.4.PT. D. What, sir! Do you deny it ? JuM. I clar to goodness, boss, I nebber did see dat coat afore. Pat. Bedad, gineril, Oi belave the divil be lyin' till ye. Oi can see 'im blush. Capt. D. I think I had better search you. JuM. All right, sah; yo' won't tine nuffin' dat belong to yo'. (Captain Danvers proceeds to search him, and finds no letter. Business of searching can he made very amusing, if Jum- bo has very large and deep pockets, and plenty of them, well filled with odds and ends, several old army revolvers, old razors, a lot of hardtack, etc., etc.; at last Captain Danvers fishes out a mam- moth tuning fork fifteen or twenty inches long.) Capt. D. What is this ? JuM. Sho' now, doan yo' know what dat am ? It am a tunin'- fork. C.\PT. D. A what ? JuM. A tunin'-fork, sah, what w^e pitch de tunes wid. Yo' see, boss, I belong ter de Pun kin Blossom Club. Capt. D. Well, 231 ck up this rubbish and pitch yourself out of here. (Jumbo ^«cAs up stuff and puts it hack in pockets,) Enter Grace, l. u. e. Grace. Captain, cannot these men wait while you finish your meal ? Capt. D. I am done with them, I think. {Looks at letter,) Yes, this letter requires no answer. You fellows may return to camp. Excuse me, Grace ; I will finish my dinner. [Exits, L. u. E. Grace {to Pat). Are you one of General Geary's men ? Pat. That Oi am, mum ; an' a foine lad the gineril be, too. Grace. Would you mind staying here on guard till morn- ing if I get permission from the general ? Pat. Oi wadn't moind shtayin' here av Oi had me ould gun along. Grace. You won't need any gun. All I wish is that you sleep in the kitchen and see that no one comes prowling around during the night. Pat. All roite, mum ; Oi'll shtay. THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 33 JuM. Yo'd bcttah hide de fried chickin, missus, if dat ole snoozer stay in dar. Pat. Hould yer jaw, sor, ye black varmint. Grace {giving letter to Jumbo). Will you take this note to General Geary direct ? JuM. Yas, missus, I'll tote it right up dar imigiately. Say, missus, doan j^o' want anoddah ni^gah to sleep in dc kitchen ■; Grace. No. You two would kill each other before morn- ing. JuM. {going c). Guess dat am a fac', missus. Dis chile doan like dat ole hoss-fly. \ Exits, c. Grace {to Pat). Come with me and I'll show you around to the kitchen, where you can have supper. [Exits, c, foUoired hj Pat, who speaks aside as he is leaving. Pat. Patrick O'Harra, ould boy, yez in luck. Here goes fer a square male, bedad. After a pause enter Charley at centre in a great state of excite- ment ; throiDS hat in the air and yells loudly. Chas. Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! Where is everybody ? Hurrah for — for hurrah ! {Throics hat again and Mpers alout. He need not confine himself entirely to the words as icritten, hit keep uj) a continual racket, as suits hiniVest; hut don,' t forget to t;ct in as many hurrahs as ijossible.) Enter Mrs. Wood, followed hy Captain Danvers and Sister Alice. All are greatly amazed. Mrs. W. Why, Charley Wood, what is the matter with you? Chas. {throicing up hat). Best news of the season ! Hur- rah ! Mrs. W. {catching him hy collar). What do you mean ? Do you intend to drive us all wild ? CiiAS. {trying to pull away). Yes, I guess I do. No, I don't. Hurrah ! Mrs. W. {shaking him). Stop this at once and tell us what you mean. Enter Grace, c. Grace. Why, what is the matter ? Is any one hurt ? Chas. Yes. The old traitor, Bragg, has had his feelings hurt ! Hurrah ! {Tries to throve hat, but Mrs. Wood takes if away from him). Sister A. Grace, I guess your brother is going insane. Grace {seizing him hy other arm). Brother Charley, stop this yelling and tell us what is the matter. Cn.\s. Father and brother Fred are coming home. Hur- rah ! All. Coming home ! 34 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Chas. Yes. They have deserted from the Southern army. Hurrah ! ( Tries to get hat. ) Capt. D. Well, that is certainly" good news. I don't blame the boy for celebrating. Mrs. W. How do you know this, my son ? Chas. Roy C lough just came along and said he was in camp when they and a lot of others came over Lookout Creek to where the Thirty-third Massachusetts are camped. He had a long talk with father, and I'm going right down there and see them. {Catches up hat and exits qnicHy, c.) Mrs. W. {runs quickli/ to door and calls after him). Charley, Charley, come back and 1 will go with you. {Coming back.) It's no use. He has gone without overcoat or mittens. I can't blame him. Wish I were with him. Captain, do you suppose they will allow them to come home ? Capt. D. Oh, certainly, though probably not before morning. Grace. Thank God, our prayers have been answered. Mother, would we dare walk down there to-night ? Mrs. W. I was just thinking of the same thing, but I am afraid it would not be prudent so late at night. Capt. D. It would be a pretty long walk for you ladies, but if you decide to go I will escort you. Mrs. W. You are very kind, captain, but it would never do in your condition. No ; we will wait till morning. We will hear from them when Charley returns. [E.vits, L. u. E.jfolhwedii/ Sister Alice. Capt. D. Grace, I am so glad that your father and brother aro at last away from the rebel ranks. Grace. Yes, captain; Charley was right- -it's the best news of the season. I shall be so happy to have you make their acquaintance. Capt. D. I am afraid I shall not have that pleasure, Grace. I have just received a note from General Geary asking me if possible to report to him to-morrow for marching orders. Grace. So soon ! Why, captain, you are not sufficiently re- covered, are you ? Capt. D. {taking her hand). Grace, I do not mind that, but I had hoped you might know me better before I should be called away. Grace. I shall be very lonely when you are gone, and if you can manage to send me an occasional letter, I can assure you they will meet with a hearty welcome. Capt. D. {kissing her hand). Thank you, my dear girl 1 I shall strive to merit your friendship. How often do you mean by occasional ? Grace {laughing). Oh, one a day if you have time to write them. Capt. D. And will you answer them all ? THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 35 Grace. If my pen and ink doesn't give out. Capt. D. Grace, I am proud of you, and at some future time, Avheu this cruel war is over — As h^ speaks the last word a loud report is Tiea/rd outside, followed hy a crash and strain from orchestra. At the first crash a Jiiish-light should he made with powder off b. c, just enough so that the smoke may come on the stage far effect. Grace screams loudly. Captain Danvers?'««8 to c. and looks off R. Capt. D. It's the compliments of the rebels on Lookout Mountain, I guess. A shell has struck the stable ! Grace. Oh, Captain, I'm afraid our carriage pony is killed ! [E.cits quickly, c, followed hy Captain Danvers. After a pause the lights gradually loioer, until the stage is semi- dark ; a diMant clock is heard to chime the hour of twelve. Soft music. Ryon appears at l. c, and comes on very cau- tiously. Ry. Well, thank fortune, they have retired. I've waited around outside until my feet are as cold as my heart. I see a shot has struck the barn and sent the family pony to kingdom come. {Takes letter frovi pocket.) Now, here's a shell of an- other kind, loaded for Captain Danvers. I'll put it right here in this coat, where I took the other out. {Puts letter in Cap- tain Danvkrs' coat.) Now, my dear Grace, when your lover is found with that letter on his person his name will be Mc- Ginty, and he will wLsh he were at the bottom of the seas. I wish I knew where the Yankee was sleeping; I'd slip in and give him a taste of his own knife. {Goes to c, cohere he listens carefully.) Pat {appears at l. 1 e., and looks at Ryon; then speaJ^s in a stage whisper). Bedad I there be a dirthy blaguard in the mis- sus' parlor. {JRolls up sleeves.) Oh ho, me lark, yer in danger av yer loife, fer Oi'm on til yer toime. Ry. I can hear some one breathing heavily, but blast my buttons if I can tell where it is. Pat. Bedad ! av Oi had me ould gun here Oi'd make 'im think it war loaded. {Takes empty whixkey-huttle from his pocket and smells of it ; then looks in it.) Be me soul, av thot had the load in it thot war there yisterday, Oi'd fire it iutil his stom- ach, and begorra he'd be a dead mon. Maybe Oi can fool the varmint. {Takes cord from piano cover, and holding hottle in right hand, like a jnstol, creeps cautiously up behind Ryon at c. Puts end of hottle against the hack of Ryon's head, and speaks low, hut sternly and distinct.) Hould up yer hands, sor! An' av ye move yer jaw, Oi'll blow more brains outen yer ould head than ye iver had intil it, bedad. Ry. {Iwlding up hands). AYlio arc you ? 36 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Pat {taking pistol from Ryon's hip-pocl'et). Hould yer jaw, sor. Put yer hands behind yer ! (Ryon does so.) Now, av yer shtir yer a dead corpus; de ye moind ? {Ties Ryon's hands.) Now, turn around an' lit the gintry see the thavin' varmint thot ye air. Ry. {turning around). Oh, it's you, is it ? Pat. Bedad ! did yer think it war Gineril Grant ? Ry. {patronizingli/). What are you doing here, Pat ? Pat. Bedad ! didn't Oi give yer a hint av phat Oi war doin' here ? Ry. It's all right, Pat; this is one on me. Come around to my tent to-morrow and get a drink. Pat. {striking an attitude). De yer see ouy thing grane in me eye? Ry. Curse you ! Pat. Now, thot sounds more loike yersilf, ould boy. Mnter Sister Alice at c. Sister A. "What is the matter here ? Pat. Bedad, Sister, Oi found this dirthy blaguard snoopin' around here, so Oi jist stuck me ould whiskey-bottle bhoind his ear au' traded guns wid him. Ye needn't be afraid av the divil, Oi'v got his hands toied. Ry. You will pay dearly for this, j^ou Irish devil. Pat. Save yer foin compliments, me hearty. Sister A. Go to the camp and get two soldiers. Pat. Phat will become av yersilf wid the divil ? Sister A. Never mind me. Give me that weapon and go. Pat. {giving pistol). All roite, mum. Moind yer oye. Ry. {patronizingly). Madam, while I admit that I am caught in a very embarrassing position, I assure you my motives for coming here were only the best. Sister A. Silence, sir ! I know why you are here. You had murder in your heart — jealous revenge. Ry. I came here to see Captain Danvers. Sister A. Too true. You came to end his life, but were foiled in your plans. Now, what can you expect in return ? {liaises pistol.) Ry. Oh, madam, I beg of you ! Sister A. Silence ! Now, sir, why do you seek to intrude on this family ? And what right have you to claim the love or even the respect of Grace Wood ? Ry. Has a man no rights in this world ? Sister A. Has he the right to wed and afterward desert the wife whose life he has blasted ? Has God given him the right to forsake her, even while she is sick and destitute, and not only that, but take her jewelry ? Speak, sir; have you done this ? THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 37 Ry. There is no use to argue this matter with you. You seem to be on to my time all right. Sister A. Isn't it true, sir, that you left your wife in Mem- phis, two years ago, without one farthing to buy bread or medicine, while you began at once trying to win the affections of that innocent girl ? Ry. Well ? Sister A. Speak, sir! Is that true ? Ry. Y-e-s ; there is no use to deny it. Sister A. {i-aking pistol). Then, sir, as "war to the knife" seems to be your motto and the way you have of settling your difficulties, ought I not. in avenging the wrongs of your de- serted wife, mete out to you what you intended for Captain Danvers ? Hy. {coioering). For God's sake, woman, don't shoot ! I'm not lit to die. Sister A. (lowering pistol). I ought to end your earthly ca- reer; 'twould be a blessing to the world. But I'll give you one more chance, and let me warn you that if you are ever seen by me inside the Federal lines again, I'll point you out to Gen- eral Grant as Dick Ryon, the rebel spy. Ry. (starting). What! Sister A. I know you, sir. Look to it that daylight docs not iiad you within the Union lines. {She unties his hands.) About face, sir. {lie turns^ facing back, c. ) Ry. Woman, it shall be as you command. I will leave this part of the world at once, and thank you for the privilege. May I ask to whom I am indebted for my liberty ? Sister A. That, sir, does not signify. Escape while you may. (Points to c.) Go! (Ryo^ marches straight out c, turns square corner, military style, and vanishes left as curtain falls. Sister Alice remains pointing till closed in by curtain. ) 38 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. ACT III. SCENE. — Out wood, shoicing Loohout Mountam in the distance. As curtain rises General Geary is discovered writinff on tablet, while an orderly holds his horse in the haclcground. Staff and other soldiers standing ar sitting ai'ound, convers- ing with each other in a low to7is, that it may not interfere loith the main parts. Generai, Gb^ary finishes writing, tears off sheet, folds and hands it to one of staff. {Do not hurry. ) Gen. G. Take this to General Shurz, and return with an im- mediate answer. (Officer tahes note and exits, l. c.) Enter Colonel Jones, l. u. e. ; salutes General Geary. Col. J. General Geary, I was over where the Seventy-third Ohio are camping this morning, and I saw our missing spy there. Gen. G. George Webb ? Good ! I have been not a little concerned for his safetJ^ {Men all gather round and show eager- ness to hear from Webb.) Gentlemen, this is good news. Our favorite scout and spy, George Webb, has returned alive and well. Did you speak with him ? CoL. J. Yes, I had quite achat with him. He has been with the rebel, General Lougstreet, and reports that the wily old Southerner is on his way to Knoxville, where he expects to wipe out General Burnside's little army at a single stroke. AVebb succeeded in sending the news ahead to Burnside at Knoxville ; then he came over and entered the lines of Gener- al Bragg near Chattanooga. {Takes paper from pocket and pro- ceeds to point out to General Geary.) Here is a small map which Webb loaned me to show you the exact position of Bragg's army. You will notice that his rebel forces half en- circle Chattanooga, and both his right and left rest on the Tennessee River. According to this diagram the old rebel holds Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga Valley, and Mission Ridge. Webb intimated to me on the quiet that Grant in- tends to attack Bragg's army, while it is materially weakened by the absence of Longstreet's forces. Enter Jumbo, r. 1 e. , with large "bag on his lack, supposed to he filed toith chickens. If lie can carry one or two live ones in his hands, so much the better. He gets well on the stage, then stops, sees men and stops suddenly, as if frustrated. Gen. G. What have you got there, you black rascal ? JuM. Chickins, by golly. THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 89 Gen. G. Whore did you get them ? JuM. Got 'em up to de ole plantation. Didn't I done tola yo' I know whar dey roos'? Gen. G. Well, sir, didn't 1 tell you not to let me catch you outside the picket lines again ? JuM. Didn't kotch me, did yo', gineril ? Gen. G. But didn't I tell you to never go outside the lines without permission from me ? JuM. Yas, sail. Gen. G. Then why did you disobey my orders ? JuM. Didn't diserbay yo", boss; yo' tole dis yar niggah to go. Gen. G. {angry). Do you intend to stand there and tell me a deliberate lie ? Ju.M. No, sah-, didn't I done ask yo' las' night ? Gen. G. And what did I tell you ? JuM. Yo' tole me ter go ter de debil, an' dat am my ole massa on de plantation, so I jes get my bag an' go out dar an' git some chickins. Gen. G. Did you get all tlie poultry he had ? JuM. Mos' all, gineril: one roostah an' four ole hen git erway. Den de big dorg wake up, an' I didn't wait to git 'em all. Gen. G. Well, I'll let you oflf this lime, but it must not hap- pen more than once again. JuM. I can git 'em all nex' time, gineril ! Gen. G. Go to headquarters now and dress some of them for dinner. JuM. All right, boss, we'll hab fried cliickin fo' dinnah. I stealed some buttah from massa's celiah. Gen. G. All right, Jumbo, I'll forgive you. JuM. Say, gineril, I'ze got some nice bacon in dis yar ole bag what ole massa hab hid iudegroun'. Will yo' fogibme some moah ? [ExitH, l. 1 e. Gen. G. {to Colonel Jones). Are the Seventy-third still camping on the hill they and the Thirty-third so nobly won ? CoL. J. No; the rebel battery on Lookout Mountain is so annoying that the boys have moved about half a mile down the hill toward Brown's Ferry. Gen. G. Did Webb say what he expects to do next ? Col. J. No, sir; lie said he had been resting in camp for a couple of days, and would be over here by noon to-day. Gen. G. {lool-ing at watch). Well, he is liable to be at _my quarters now; let us return. {To orderly.) You may bring my horse ; I prefer to walk. {Orderly salutes in an»u)er, aiid leads horse off, l. All exit, L.) After a 'patise Rton steps from hehind a tree, r. u. e., and com- ing down, makes a moch salute in the direction the General has taken. Ry. Thanks, gentlemen, for the information. General Bragg 40 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. will be glad to learn that Grant intends an attack soon. You had better examine the hollow trees before holding your private councils under their shade. Won't it be as good as a victory when I return and tell General Bragg that I have put a quietus on the lips of that stealthy Yankee spy, George Webb ? There is no use of talking, I must close up my business in this part of Yankeedom and get out. I can dodge solid shot from big guns, shells, grape, and canister or minie-balls, but dera my buttons, when a woman vents her spite on me and unlimbers her tongue, I begin to feel weak in the knees. It's very evi- dent she knew what she was talking about, but how in thunder she got my history down so fine is more than I can fathom. Enter Pat., r. 1 e., with gun. Sees Ryon and stops. Pat. Hullo, there, ye auld booby. Phy didn't ye stop till the house there whoile Oi got the sojers ? Ry. Because the lady found me to be a friend of the fam- ily and let me go. Where's that pistol you took from my pocket ? Pat. Bedad, av the lady found ye wor a friend av the family, phy didn't she give ye back yer auld pishtol ! Ry. I suppose she thought it was yours, and when I came away I forgot to ask for it. Pat. Well, sor, here's yer auld gun. It's no use to me whin Oi can capture a mon wid a whiskey-bottle. (Oives pistol.) Ry. ( taking pistol). Thank you. Where do j^ou belong ? Pat. Oi belong to home, soi", but Oi got grafted, and had to come till the war. Ry. Don't you like military life ? Pat. Whin the prowisions are good, Oi don't moind it ; but whin a mon has nothin' to ate fer a whole M^ake but three hard tacks and a dozen kernils av coffee, excuse me, if ye plaze, sor. Ry. In what part of the camp do you stop ? Pat. Oh, O'im gineril roustabout at Geary's headquarthers. Ry. I wish you would promise me not to mention our difficulty of last night ; will you ? Pat. Shure now, where's the harum, sor. It be only a good joke on yersilf. Ry. The joke was on you, old boy ; you took me for a burglar. Pat. So Oi did, sor, an' Oi've not changed me moind yit. Ry. {nngry). You Irish fool, do you mean to insinuate that I am a thief ? Pat. Ye would be av ye were smart enough to shtale widout bein' caught. Ry. ((T)-aicing pistol). I've a mind to blow the top of your head off, you impudent pup. THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 41 Pat. All roight, sor ; av it be a duel ye want, Oi'm yer huckleberry. (Steps bach and mixes gun.) Ky. {quicMy raising 2nstol). Take that for your impudence ! {The pistol fails to go). Pat. {laughing loudly). Bedad, sor, yer auld pishtol be no good. Oi pulled the plugs all out ruesilf. Ry. The devil you did ! P.vr. Yis, sor ; an' now it's me turn. {Raising gun.) Moind yer eye. Ry. {raising both hands). For heaven's sake, man, don't shoot me ! Pat. Hould yer jaw, sor ; ye wad have shown no mercy to me if yer auld pishtol had wint off. Now, Oi'm goin' to pay ye off in yer own money, ye dirthy coward. Ry. {dropping 0)1 l-nees). Oh, sir, please don't shoot ! Think of my wife and family. Pat. Does ye want ter leave ony word fer thim ? Ry. Please don't shoot ; they need my support. Think of your own loved ones. Pat. Bedad, Oi have none since Biddy Bean wint back on me entoirely. {Loicering his gun.) Oi ought to have yer hide fer a scarecrow to warn all poor divils like you not to fool wid an Oirishman. Ry. Please let me go. Pat. On one condition, sor. ' Ry. Yes ; what is it ? Pat. That ye beg moy forgiveness, sor. Ry. Yes, yes ; I do, a thousand times. Pat. Stand up, sor. Now, who be a dirthy divil (Ryon hesitates, Pat brings gun to his eye.) Ry. I am. Pat. "Who be a gintleman, sor. Ry. You are. Pat. Now, sor, yez may go, but moind ye, thenixt toime ye give me ony av yer lip Oi'U have this auld gun loaded, be jabers ! Ry. What ! isn't that gun loaded ? Pat. No, sir ; it's loike yer auld pishtol — no good, Ry. Curse you I Fll be even with you yet. Pat. Be aisy wid yer tongue now. Oi've heard av empty guns killing varmints loike yersilf. {2\ikcs a cartridge from pocket and tosses to Ryon.) There be the plug Oi tuk from yer pishtol, sor. Ry. Where are the other four ! Pat. In yer pishtol, sor. Good day, sor. [Shoulderx gun and exits, l. 1. e, Ry. (stands spellbound looking at pistol). Well, dern my ])ut- tons, if that ain't a fact ! Had I pulled on him again he would have been a dead Irishman. Knowledge is power sometimes, 43 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. but of liite sad experience seems to be my teacher. Never mind, I may get a crack at that "bog trotter" before I leave here, and if I do he'll bite the dust. {Looks off r., shading his eyes icith hands.) Ah ha ! I'm in luck. Here comes George Webb, the Union spy. He must not see me here, for I think he's on to my time. (Steps behind tree, R. 2 e., soft music. After a pause George y^¥.B^ enters, r. 1 e., close ly tree, dressed in citizeii's clothes. He saunters slowly along, loohing' at an open letter in his hand. When about four feet from tree Ryon springs foricard and strikes Webb in back [supposed to be tcith tknife], at same time exclaiming : " Take that, you blasted Yankee spy !" Webb utters one cry, " Oh !" then falls on one knee, then to stage, face down, dead. Ryon throios knife on ground beside Webb, and takes letter from Webb's hand, looks closely at it, then puts it in pocket. At the same time that Ryon stabs Webb, Char- ley Wood comes on at r. u. e., and is an eye-witness to the whole and speaks as Ryon jmts letter in pocket. ) Chas, Mr. Ryon, none but a coward would stab a man in the back. I shall report you to General Geary. Ry. {catching him by throat.) You will, eh ? I'll teach you to dog my tracks. Chas. {trying to loosen Ryon's hands). Oh, please don't ! You will kill me. {Struggles.) Ry, I expect to kill you, you little devil. ( Pushes him back on ground.) Chas. Oh {struggles) mother! {Becomes tin conscious.) Ry. {straightening up>). I didn't mean to kill the rascal, but there is one satisfaction; he won't ever squeal on me. (Takes Charley on shoulder, and exits, r. u. e. Soft music.) Enters Captain Danvers, r. 1 e. ; discovers body. Capt. D. What's this ? A dead citizen ! (Picks up knife.) Why, that looks like my knife ! Great heavens, it is ! there's my name on the blade ! But v/hy should it be here, and who is this poor, unfortunate man ? (Turns body over.) Oh, God, it's Webb ! (Puts hand on hea,rt.) This is treachery. Speak, George, and tell me who has done this dastardly act ! Enter Colonel Jones, l. c. ; stops short in surpirise. Col. J. Why, Captain Danvers, is this you ? For God's sake, what have you done ? (Captain Danvers rises icith knife still in his hand and stands, as if appalled, looking at ths body. Starts as Colonel Jones sjjeaks a^ain.) Speak, sir! Why have you done this ? Capt. D. Colonel Jones, have you the effrontery to even in- timate that this is my work ? Col. J. Give me that knife, sir. Capt. D. I decline to do so. THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 43 Col. J. (drairing mcord). I demand it. (Captain Danvers gires Inife.) Now your explanation of this affair. Capt. D. Colonel, you are laboring under a grave mistake. Before God, I deny having any hand in this foul murder or any knowledge of who was the perpetrator. Col. J. {looking at knife). Your name is on this knife. Capt. D. Yes, sir; it is my stiletto. Col. J. Have you loaned it to any one ? Capt. D. No, sir; I never lend it. CoL. J. Isn't this the instnmient which did that murder ? Capt. D. I will explain what I know. Enter Rton, r. 1 e., with field-glass ; speaks quicJcly. Ry. So will I, sir. I saw this man strike George Webb in the back. Capt. D. 'Tis false ! Who are you ? Ry. Oh, it's no matter who I am ! You can't bluff me ; I saw you stab that man. Col. J. Why didn't you interfere, sir ? Ry. I was too far off. Col. J. Where were you ? Ry. (pointing, r.). On the summit of yonder hill, sir, look- ing through my glass. Capt. D. {to Ryon). I am unarmed and unable to defend myself against your dastardly insults ; but mind you, sir, I'll re])ay you with interest, whoever you are. Ry. {snapping fingers at Captain Danvers). That for your braggart threats ; I shall not screen you. Col. J. {to Rvon). Go and explain this matter to General Geary, and tell him I remain here subject to his orders. [ Ryon salutes and exits, L. Capt. D. I will state this matter to the General myself. {Starts to go, l. Colonel Jones steps in front of him.) Col. J. On the contrary, sir, you will remain where you are till further orders. Capt. D. Colonel Jones, are you bereft of all reason, and do you think for a moment that I would kill my own friend ? {Kneels Reside body.) Oh, George, comrade, unclose those sealed lips and come to my rescue! {Puts luuidkerchief to face and re- mains motionless for some time. Soft, low music.) Enter Grace Wood, r. 1 e. Colonel Jones 7-aises hat. Grace. Excuse me, sir. Do I intrude ? Col. J. No, madam. We have a very unfortunate occur- rence. Capt, D. {looking up). Why, Grace, is it you ? {Rising.) Grace {coming to his side). Captain Danvers, what has hap- pened ? 44 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Capt. D. (^j?<^^i«<7 arm around waist). Some one has mur- dered my frieiid, Webb. Grace. Murdered! Oh, Captain, who can be the guilty wretch who has done this ? Poor fellow ! Capt. D. Grace, my dear girl, I dislike to tell you that I am accused of being the murderer. Grace. You! {Throwing arms about his neclc.) Oh, Cap- tain Danvers! Capt. D. Grace, I am innocent of the charge. Grace. All the world could not make me believe you guilty. You are too noble to commit an act so low, "Who are your accusers ? I will face them with you, Capt. D. {'pointing to Colonel Jones). There is one who believes me guilty. Grace {to Colonel Jones). "Will you oblige me with your proofs, sir ? Col. J. The evidence is very strong, madam ; but I have neither time nor desire to parley with a woman. Grace. "Which fact alone brands you as a coward ! Capt. D. Please, Grace, say no more. I am in a critical condition, but hope to extricate myself after seeing my gen- eral. How did you happen here ? Grace. "We all came down to see father and brother, who with mother have gone home. I sent Charley to tell you to come home for early tea ; I so want you to meet papa and Fred. Charley was gone so long that I came to find him. Have you seen him ? Capt. D. No, I have not. And, my dear Grace, it will be ' impossible to grant y<5ur request after this unhappy event, Grace. Why, captain, they will not detain you, I am sure ! Capt. D. I hope you predict right, Grace. Grace. General Grant has promised to send mother and Charley and myself North. Father and brother are to enlist in the Union army. Capt. D. That is good news, indeed, and almost causes me to forget my dilemma. When do you start ? Grace. Papa said we would be ready by Monday ; but I can never think of going while this cloud hangs over you. Capt. D. My dear girl, you could lend me no assistance, and I shall feel much more composed knowing you are safe from harm. Enter Jumbo with three other soldiers carrying a stretcher, tchich tliey lower beside the body. JuM. {giving letter to Colonel Jones). Dis yar am from Gineril Geary, sah. Col. J. l^reads aloud). Colonel Jones : See that the body of George Webb is THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 45 brought to my headquarters at once, and Captain Danvers placed under arrest and taken to the guard-house to await fur- ther examination on the charge of wilful murder. General Geart. Col. J. {1o Captain Danvers). You hear this order, sir ? Capt. D. Yes, sir. I am ready. {Men put body on stretcher and stand re^dy for orders.) Grace (dinging to Captain Danvers). Oh, I cannot let them take you in this cruel, unsatisfactory manner! {To Colo- nel Jones.) Colonel Jones, if you had one spark of manhood you would stand by the captain and help him to explain this matter. Please, sir, may I accompany you to General Geary ? I am sure he will listen to reason. Col. J. Sorry I can't grant the request, madam. {To Captain Danvers.) Come, sir, arc you ready ? Capt. D. Yes, sir. Grace. Oh, captain, must it be so ? Capt. D. I must go, dear; it is the general's orders. {Kisses her forehead, then loosens arms.) Grace. No, no, it must not be so! You are innocent. {Places hand to head, then faints, but is held from falling by Cav- TAiN Danvers.) Capt. D. Poor child, this is too much for your poor, tired nerves I Col. J. {to men). Attention ! (Men lift stretcher. Colonel Jozies strikes a jjosition, c, leith fnger ■pointing in direction of stretcher, l. c. To Captain Danvers, r. c.) Captain Dan- vers, fall in and follow the body of your victim to headquarters. {Picture.) Curtain. 46 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. ACT IV. SCENE, — Headquarters o/" General Geary, either in the same old shop, or it may he in front of a large tent showing from left side of stage, and showing landscape background, and field of tents on hack drop, one or tino of the nearest tents to he real ones, made to match the painted ones, with soldiers sleep- ing here and there hi/ the tents ; camp fire, etc., canvp stools, table, etc., as in Act I. As curtain rises Pat is discov- ered, drilling Jumbo and the other colored people in manual of arms. Tliey stand in line on left of stage, facing K. Pat in front of them, r. Pat. Now, thin, come to attintion. JuM. Yas, sah ; we is. Pat. Shoulder arms, sor ! (Jumbo, %oho stands at order arms, hrings his gun up as one tooidd shoulder an axe, and as he does so the butt strikes Pat on the nose, loho drops sword and puts both hands to hisface. He should have small sponge ready in palm of his left Jiand saturated with red liquid or carmine, which will smear his nose and face like blood.) Och, ye black haythen fool, Oi've a moind to break yer jaw, so Oi am ! [Exits, L., holding nose. JuM. (looking after him, and stepping out r. , tohere Pat had stood, jyicks ap sword). Dat ole snoozer doau know nuffin' 'bout dis yar business. De place fer a officer am behine a tree ef he doan want ter git hurt. Now, gemen, I show yo' how ter use de gun accawdin' ter de military taxes. De fust odah I gib ter am, Take down youah guns ! (They lower their guns to order arms.) Dat am splendiferous. Now, de nex' word I pronounce ter yo' am (goes to extreme r. of stage, as if afraid of getting hurt, and calls), ^\io\x\dtiV guns, sah! (They shoulder as at first, Svsni- BO coming hack.) Now, dat am good, an' nobody hurt. Now, de nex' commandment am, Ally man lef! Now put youah gun on de oder side ob youah head, like dis. (Shows with sioord. They imitate.) Now den. Present youah guns! Stick em out, likeyo' war gwan ter gib em ter me. (They do so.) Oh, I doan want 'em! Yo' jes' hole 'em dar. Now, Uncover! Dat means take 'em back by de sideob ye. (They do so.) Now, den. Round about face! (They turn, some facing the audience and .tome the hack of stage.) No, sah; dat ain't right. (Turns then all to face back.) Now, when I pronounce de commandment, Squar' about face! yo' mus' all turn right de oder way. Now, den, Squar' about face! (They face about to audience.) Now, Watch THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE, 47 youah gineril! Roun' about face! {They turn square about, facing hack.) Dat's good. Now, Forward, march! {They march to back of stage.) Cross obor! {They turn and cross to R.) Swing youah pardners! {They turn and march doicn front.) Swing agin ! ( They turn and march across to centre front. ) Stop ! ( They halt.) Now, don, Honah youah pardner. {They all face audience.) Git ready! Take aim! Fiah! {As ivuRO c(dls tJte word "fre.'^ the qua/'fette should be ready to sing immediately, re covering their guns at the first icord.) Hail to de cap'n ! We'ze in dc line ob battle. Doau ye heah de cannon boom? Doan ye heah dc bullets rattle? Doan ye heah de dogs a comin' ? We will shoot 'em froo an' froo. An' we'ze gwan ter steal dc chickins Fer ter feed de boys in blue. They face left as they sing chorus, march to left side, tJien turn and march up to back of stage, then to c, lohenall twrn front and march down four abreast to front of stage. Chorus. Den, tramp, tramp, tramp, We am de Puukin Blossoms; We'ze gwan ter lebe de cotton fields, Likewise de coon an' possum ; We'ze gwan to learn to tight wid guns, Dat's jes' wliat we'ze about, An' we'll tramp all ober Dixie Till we whip de rebels out. Hail ter Massa Lincum, Who will liberate de niggahs. Hail to Massa Gineril Grant, AVho smokes de bes' of sigers! Hail ter de boys in blue ! Dey nebber hab no feah, Kaze dey belong to de Sebenty-third ' Ohio Volunteers. {^Chorus. March the same as before, exce})t to halt lohen coming down the stage four abreast, in centre, and each one faces to a coinier of the "stage, and at a signal given ky Jumbo, who stands tip c, they each march to a corner and inward face, as if ou guard, where they remain till end of scene. 48 ' THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Enter General Geary and staff. General Geary sits at table, and staff sit or stand at loill. Gen. G. {to orderly). Go to the guard-house and bring Cap- tain Danvers to me. [ Orderly salutes and exits, L. c. Enter Colonel Jones, l. c. ; salutes. Gen. G. Colonel, have you the letter -which you found in the Captain's possession ? Col. J. Yes, sir. I have the letter and also the knife. {Lays hoth an table.) Gen. G. Colonel, I wish you vrould read that letter to these gentlemen. CoL. J. {taTces u]) letter and reads aloud). Lookout Mountain, October 4, 1863. To Captain Danvers, U. 8, A. Dear Sir and Friend : I have just learned of your being wounded, and shall not expect our interview to take place as we had planned. However, I am going to ask your assistance in a seemingly small matter, though of great moment to me and my army. There is connected with Grant's army, and I think located with the Seventy-third Ohio, one George Webb, now acting as a Federal spy. Said Webb manages, in some adroit manner, to enter our lines every few days and carry back to the Federals valuable information of our plans, to our great detriment and discomfiture. He has been captured by my men several times, but manages in some way to slip through our fingers each time. Fully appreciating the favors from you in the past, we wish to draw on your generosity once more by asking you to down, in whatever way you think most proper, this wily Yank, who is such a source of annoyance to us, at the same time reassuring you that your efforts in that di- rection will be highly appreciated and richly rewarded by the Confederate Government. Hoping you may see your way clear to assist us, I remain, as ever, Your true friend, Maj. -General Braxton Bragg, C, S. A. P.S. — Please receipt to bearer for this letter, that we may know it reached you in safety. B. B. Gen. G. What explanation does Danvers make to that letter ? CoL. J. He claims to have no knowledge of the letter or how it came in his possession. Gen. G. I am astonished at these terrible pi'oceedings. I would have staked my honor on the integrity of Captain Dan- THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 49 vers. When such men as he turn traitors, who can we trust ? I hope the Captain will be able to throw some light on the subject and exonerate himself. Enter orderly, l. c, followed by Captain Danvers, tcho salutes General Geary, who, in turn, motions him to a seat other side of table. Captain Danvers sits. Gen. G. {after a long pause). Captain Danvers, these are grave charges brought against you. What have you to say for yourself ? Capt. D. May I ask who preferred these charges and what are they ? Gen. G. Captain Danvers, you are charged by Colonel Jones with the wilful murder of George Webb, and with treason in assisting the enemy and receiving incendiary letters from rebel commanders. Capt. D. (rising). General, I most emphatically deny the whole charge, and request that you proceed at once with the alleged proof. Gen. G. {to orderly). Go, summon Lawrence DeWitt ; you will find him at Captain Luca's tent. {Orderly exits, l. c.) Colonel Jones, what knowledge have you of this crime ? Col. J. {rising). On Tuesday of last week, I started to go over to where the Thirty-third Massachusetts are camped, and when passing through the timber just east of the trenches, I came suddenly upon this man, Captain Danvers, kneeling be- side the dead body of George Webb. In one hand he held this knife {jioitits to or jmH uj) knife from taile), still dripping with the life blood of the murdered man, while with the otht r hand he was searching the innei* pockets of Webb's coat. This knife, as you will see, has the name of Captain Danvers on the handle. (Sits. ) Gen. G. Captain Danvers, what have you to say of this letter which Colonel Jones found in your possession, and also these charges as preferred by him ? Capt. D. (rising). General, I have no knowledge of where that letter came from or how it chanced to be found in my possession. I admit that he found it in the pocket of my coat. I also admit that he found me kneeling by the body of We])b, but I deny that I was searching his pockets. I was trying to ascertain if his heart had ceased its beating. Gen. G. Did you have the knife in your hand, as was stated ? Capt. D. Yes, sir ; that is true. M. had just picked it up from the ground, and was greatly surprised to find it was my own stiletto, which I supposed was in ray pocket. General, there is some deep treachery somewhere. Gen. G. So I perceive by the contents of this letter. 50 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Enter orderly with Eton, l. c, who crosses and sits, k. c. Rton should show signs of nervousness. Capt. D. I know no more of the origin of that letter than you do. It's my opinion that there's a scheming devil some- where in this matter, who is trying to ruin me. Gen. G. We will listen to any theory you may advance, Cap- tain. No one would feel more gratified, than I to see you ex- onerated from these charges, though frankly. Captain Dan- vers, judging from what I have seen and heard, I believe you to be guilty of both murder and treason, as charged. {To Ryon.) Mr. DeWitt, what do you know of this matter ? Ry. I was returning from the errand on which you sent me, and while on the summit of the first hill toward Brown Ferry, and looking over the country with my glass, I espied a Union soldier and a man in the garb of a citizen, who were gesticulating as if in a quarrel. Suddenly I saw this man draw a knife from under his coat, and strike the other in the back as he was turning to leave. I immediately ran down to the scene, and on my arrival I found this man (pointing to Captain Danvers) kneeling beside the body of his victim, still holding the knife with which he had committed the deed. Colonel Jones had reached the place before me, and was talk- ing to the murderer when I arrived. Capt. D. Are you sure, sir, that I am the man whom you saw quarrelling with the citizen while looking through your glass ? Ry. I am, sir ; and I remember distinctly seeing that bandage on your arm. Gen. G. {to Ryon). What did you say to him on your ar- rival ? Ry. I told him I had been an eye-witness to his crime. He denied the fact, and demanded to know who I was. Then Colonel Jones sent me to you. Gen. G. Captain Danvers, what do you say in answer to this testimony ? Capt. D. Simply, sir, that it is a base fabrication, and I in- sist on knowing who is this witness. Gen. G. His name is Lawrence DeWitt ; further than that wo have reasons for not enlightening you. Have you anytliing further to say in your own defence ? Capt. D. General, I have stated all I know of this matter; fate seems to be against me. I can only repeat that I am in- nocent of this crime. Gen. G. {I'ising). Captain Danvers, we ought to make an ex- ample of you by hanging you to the first tree. The evidence against you is conclusive, and I shall send 3'ou to Washington at once to be dealt with according to the laws of our country. Colonel Jones, place this man under a strong guard, and see THE MIDNIGHT CIIAIIGK. 51 that no one is allowed to coinmunicate with him till further orders. Enter Pat, l. c. ; salutcti. Pat. Av ye ])laze, gineril, there be a lady outside phat wants to spake wid yer highness. Gen. G. Tell the lady I will see her presently. [Pat exits, l. c. Capt. D. General, I hardly know what to say of this affair. The evidence certainly places me in a very unfavorable light, without the shadow^ of a chance to establish my innocence. Enter Grace Wood, i.. c. Grace. Please excuse me, general, for entering unbidden. !My object is to furnish proof of Captain Danvers' innocence. (.-Ls Grace enters, Ryon turns Ms face away to conceal his iden- titt/, and sh&uld apj>ear more nervous as the evidence against him deepens.) Gen. G. Then you are a welcome visitor, Miss Wood. Please be seated. Grace. Thank you ; I ])refer to stand. Is it true that you bi lieve Captain Danvers to be the assassin who killed George AVebb ? Gen. G. We do. Have you evidence to the contrary ? Grace. I have. {Points to "Ryos.) There stands the villain ■who did the deed. Gen. G. Do you mean Lawrence DeWitt ? Grace. No, sir; Dick Kyon, the rebel spy. Ry. {clinching Jist). Have a care, Grace Wood. Grace. General, will you kindly oblige me by sending for Sister Alice ? Gen. G. {irrites on card and gives to orderly). Take this to Sui-geon Copeland at the hospital, and return immediately with Sister Alice. [Orderly tales card, salutes, and exits, l. c. Ry. General, if you will allow me to go to my tent, I will produce further evidence in this matter. Gen. G. If you have more evidence, why did you not bring it with you ? Ry. I forgot it, sir. Gen. G. There is plenty of time if more evidence is needed. You had better stay where joxi are. Grace. General, may I see the letter which I understand was allegod to have come from General Bragg, and found on the cajjtaiii's ])erson ? Gen. G. Certainly; here it is. {Gives letter.) Grace tnl-es letter ; lool's at it caref ally for a long pause. Ryon watches her closely, and starts ax she takes a small package of letters from her pocket or hand-bag, and gives them to Gen- eral Geary with the other. 52 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Grace. General Geary, licre are some old letters written by tliat scoundrel, Ryon. Will you please compare the hand- writing ? Ry. {hisses). Fiend! Gen. G. (after comjyaring icriting, rising). They are one and the same. Colonel Jones, you will j^lace this man under arrest. Ry. {starting, l. c). Not if I can help it. JuM. {who stands l. c, quickly brings his musl-et down to charge hciTjonets). Stand back, sah, fo' yo' git de Punkin Blossom Club arter yo'. {Forces Ryon bach to flace. Colonel Jones crosses and stands by Ryon.) Chas. {heard outside). Please, sir, I wish to see General Geary. Pat {outside). But45^e can't, sor. The gineril be busy. Chas. But, sir, I must see him. I have important uews. Grace {e.ceitedly catching general's arm). Oh, sir, that is my brother, who disappeared so mysteriously. May he come in ? Gen. G. Certainly ; I will get him. {Goes to l. c. and calls to Pat.) Let the boy pass, sir. Enter Charley Wood, l. c, id ith hair dishevelled, clothes torn, face verij dirty, and several large scratches on. cheek and fore- head. Grace meets him at entrance, andthrows arms around him: Grace. Oh, brother Charley, are you really alive ? We have looked everywhere for you. Chas. (feebly). Not everywhere, Grace. You didn't look in Nickajack Cave or you would have found me ; but oh, sister, I'm so hungry. Grace (bringing him to a seat). Why, brother, how dread- fully you look ! What were you doing at Nickajack Cave ? The men all appear interested in Charley, ajid Ryon, pe)reiving he is not watched, springs to l. c. again, but is metby Jumbo, inho forces him bach. JuM. Yo' ole 'possum, git back dar else I'll pin yo' to de wall wid dis yar baynet. Col. J. (to Ryon). Now, sir, if you dare to move again I'll not be responsible for your life. JuM. Let de Punkin Blossom take car ob him, boss. CoL. J. All right, Jumbo, and if he attempts to escape, fill him with lead. JuM. Yas, sah. {To Ryon.). You see dat ole gun, sah ? Dat am loaded fo' bar. I'ze got two poun" of ])owdah an' forty bullets THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 53 down dat hole, so yo' jes bettah look out fo' yerself, kazo ef yo' try to run yous a dead niggah. {During tlie above dialogue Grace and Charley should be am- tersing very loio with each other.) Grace. Why did you go so far from home, Charley ? Chas. I was compelled to go there by an old man in whose hands I was placed by Mr. Ryon. Gen. G. What is that, my boy ? Do you say that man {points to Ryon) comj^elled you to go to the cave ? CuAS. Yes, sir ; but I am so hungry I don't know as I can explain it to you. Gen. G. Jumbo, go to the cook tent and get a lunch for the lad. Grace. Excuse me, general, I think he had better go direct- ly home. Mother will know beat what to do for him. Gen. G. You are quite right, Miss Wood. {To orderly.) See that an ambulance report here at once. {Orderly salutes and exits, L. c.) Now, my boy, can you 'explain this matter? Do you know why this man took you away ? CiiAS. Yes, sir. I was coming through the woods near the trenches, and I ran onto Mr. Ryon just in time to see him stab a man. Thismade him very angry, because I said I would report him to General Geary. Then he choked me. That was the last I remembered till I awoke and found myself outside the Union lines with an old man who made me walk to Nickajack Cave. The next day Mr. Ryon came and brought some hard- tack, and he gave the old man a letter and told him to take me over to Wheeler's camp. Then he left, after calling me all the bad names he could think of. That night, while the old man was sleeping soundly, I managed to get untied, and stealing the letter from the old man, I ran away. He awoke when I was leaving and started after me, but the night was very dark, and in his haste he fell into Nickajack Creek ; then I took ad- vantage of the situation and hurried away. And I have been walking and skulking ever since, and I have had nothing to eat since I left there three days ago. Gen. G. My boy, you have done nobly. Your presence of mind would do credit to much older heads. Have you the letter which you took from the old man ? Chas. {producing letter). Yes, sir ; here it is. {Gives letter.) Gen. G. {takes letter and looks at it ; then hands it to Colonel Jones). Colonel Jones, read that letter aloud, that these people may know what a black-hearted scoundrel we have here. Col. J. {takes letter and reads alotid). Wheeler. Dear Sir : For certain reasons which I will explain later I 64 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. wish the lad whom the bearer of this note will deliver to you to be placed in 8ome safe confinement and well cared for until further notice from me. I have just put an end to the earthly career of one of Grant's pet Yankee spies, which fact Bragg will be pleased to know. I shall remain with the Yanks for a few days yet, unless it gets too hot for me, in which case I will join you. I have now other fish to fry, and must go and catch them. Yours in haste, Dick Ryon, C. S. A. Gen. G. Jumbo, go to one of the supply wagons and get us a stout rope. JuM. Yas, sah. {To Ryon.) Now, ole man, yo' see yo' am goin' to a necktie party. [Exits, L. c. Gen. G. Well, sir, have you anything to say in your own de- fence ? Ry. General, I am fairly caught in 'the trap I laid for Cap- tain Danvers. I have no apology to make ; if I had it would avail me nothing. {Enter Sister Alice, with orderly. Gen- eral Geary raises hat and offers her his seat, irhich she takes. Ryon continues.) I committed the deed thinking it a favor to the Confederacy. I admit that even as a loyal Southerner and spy I have overstepped the chivalric line by allowing my jealous passions to overrule my better judgment. I refer to the cloud which I tried to throw over Captain Danvers' life, because he was my rival and had won the aflfections of Miss Wood, although I confess she never encouraged my suit. Cap- tain Danvers is entirely innocent of the crime. The knife with which I did the work I stole from his coat, and placed therein the letter from Bragg, which I wrote to throw suspi- cions on the captain. You know the rest, sirs, and will deal with me as I deserve. I will accept the decree without a mur- mur. Gen. G. Have you no word you wish to leave for your family ? Ry. General, I had a wife, a loving and confiding compan- ion until I drove her from me. She was a Unionist to the heart's core, which greatly angered me, and I continued to tor- ture her with harsh words and even blows, until one day I left her alone, sick and destitute, and joined Wheeler's raiders. The pangs of death would be slight if I could only see her one moment and ask her forgiveness. Enter Jumbo, l. c, with a piece of tico or three-inch rope. JuM. Har it am, boss. Gen. G. Is that the best you can do ? JuM. Dat am de bigges' one I can fine, gineril. Gen. G. Sister Alice, we expected to use your testimony in this case, but it will not be necessary. Colonel Jones, you will THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. 55 procure a proper rope, and see that Dick Ryon is immediately huug by tlie neck till he is dead. Ry. General, will you not give me a few hours to prepare for eternity ? Gen. G. Sir, did you give George Webb time to say a prayer ? Ry. (dropping his head, exclaims) Retribution I Sister A. General Geary, have you found me faithful to my trust at the hospital ? Gen. G. We have, Sister Alice. Surgeon Copeland speaks in highest terms of your work. Sister A. Am I deserving of any favors from you ? Gen. G. You certainly are. What can Ave do for you ? Sister A. That instead of hanging this man he be sent to Washington as a prisoner of war. Gen. G. We are fully aware, Sister Alice, that your sym- pathies are always with those in trouble, and we honor you for it; but this is a very aggravated case, and demands quick justice. Sister A. Please, general, if you hope to be forgiven in the great hereafter, allow this man proper time for repentance. I have personal reasons for asking the favor. Gen. G. Will you explain your personal reasons ? Sister A. I beg you, general, do not ask them. Gen. G. Sister Alice, I am compelled to refuse your request unless your reasons are known. Sister A. {throwing off disguise). General Geary, I am his wife ! (Ry'on turns back (nu! puts handkerchief to his face.) Gen. G. You are a worthy woman, and your wish shall be granted. Ry. (comes over and kneels at Sister Alice's j'eet). Oh, Alice, will you forgive me ? Sister A. Stand up, sir ! I have saved your life that you may prepare for death. Never can you find a place in my heart. You have proved yourself unworthy of a woman's love. Gen. G. Captain Danvers, I owe you an apology that can never be expressed in words. Capt. D. General, I hold no enmity to any one. You did what loyal men and true would do. In this severe trial I have learned that stronger than grape and canister is the love of a true woman. Gen. G. Captain, let me congratulate you on the merits of this brave little woman who has saved your life. Capt. D. (taking Grace bi/ the hand). I shall never forget this hour, and when this cruel war is over 1 will devote my time in trying to make her happy. JuM. Hurrah fo' de Punkin Blossom Club ! Ch\s. (standing up). Mr. Ryon, please let me know what day you will be at home to callers in your new quarters at Wash- ington, and I'll call — after I have had all I want to eat. 56 THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE. Grace. Charley, please don't. Ry. {rising and holding out ioth hands to Sister Alice). Alice, I can't live without you ; won't you forgive me ? Sister A. Ask forgiveness of Him who has the power to for- give. Go to your prison cell, and in solitude repent and ponder over your past mad career. My heart is with the suffering Union soldiers, and I shall remain with the army and help to alleviate the sufferings of those who fall in the trenches. {Pic- ture.) Curtain. p. c. * * Capt. D. * * Grace. Staff. Table. Chas. Gen. G. Col. J. JtTMBO. Ryon. Sister A. PuNKiN Blossom Members P. C. p. c. * FRENCH S DESCRIPTm; LIST. PROSCENIUM AND DROP SCENE. ^^^^C^SOXS^TXTTIkXa— A most effectire Proscenium can b« formed by utilizing the paper mad« for this purpose. Three pieces ot wood are merely required, shaped according to this design, and covered with the paper ; the proscenium having the appearanc* of light blue puSed satin panels, In gold frames, with Siuike- speare medallion in the centre. Puffed satin paper, Light Blue, size SO inches by 30 inches, per sheet, 36 cts. Imitation Gold Bordering, per sheet, 25c., making 14 feet. Shakespearian Medallion, 18 inches in diameter, 50 cts. • SIC'ZI^TZSa — The picture shown above is an ninitra. tion of this scene. It comprises four sheets of paper which are to be pasted in th« •entre ot any sized canvas that may be requisite for the drop curtain. Size 6X ^^et by S feet. Price $2.50. llQ^^^^XDSa — These comprisa three sheets of paper each, and can b« had either for drawing-room or cottage purposes. Size, 7 feet by 3 feet. Price, com- plete, $1.25 each. 'VV Z^n^9C3 \A/'. — This Is a parlor window formed with two sheet* of paper, and could be made practicable to slide up and down. The introduction of curtains each side would make it very effective. Size, 8 feet by 4}^ feet. Price, $1.00, complete. I*H3E3Kr01BC X7^IlSr33^>T7f^.— Consisting of four sheets of paper, representing a window containing four large ornamental frosted glasa panes with colored glaaa around. Size 6>i feet high by 5 feet Price $1.50. JPH^ISH^Ij./^O'SMm — This is also made with two sheets af poper. The fire is lightetl, biit should this not be required a fire-paper can be hung over it. It will be found most useful in many farces wherein a character has to climb up a chim- ney, and many plays where a fireplace is Indispensable. By purchasing a door, win- dow, and fireplace an ordinary room scene could easily be constructed with the addl- tioB of BOUM waU-paper. Sise, A feet by ^ feet. Price, oomplete, (l.SS, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 973 536 9 • FRENCH'S ACTING EDITIONS, nSTEW I='Ij.^-2'S. April Folly At Sixes and Sevens Barbara Baron's Wager Betsy Bow Bells Breach of Promise Breaking the Ice Brothers (The) Bubbles By Special Bequest Case for Eviction Chalk and Cheese Chax'ity Circumstances Alter Cases Confederate Spy Comiiromising Case Crazed Crossed Love Dauicheffs Dimity's Dilemma Dreams Duchess of Bayswater & Co Duty Engaged Equals False Shame Feuuel First Mate For the Old Love's Sake Garden Party Garrick (Muskerry) George Geith Gentle Gertrude Bull Girl Graduate Girls (The) Glimpse of Paradise Gretchen Harvest Home His Own Guest Hook and Eye In Honor Bound Iron Master (Tho) Lady Fortune Linked by Love Long Odds Love Game Lyrical Lover Major and Minoi Man Proposes ( Grandy) Marble Arch Melting Moments Merry Meeting Mariner's Return Miser Mouth After Date Mv Friend JarVet My Little Girl My Lord in Livery Nearly Seven Nearly Severed Nettle Not Such a Fool, etc. Obliging His Landlady Oft' Duty Old Cronies On the Brink Once Again Once a Week Open Gate Overland Eoute Palmistry Petticoat Perfidy Pity Playmates Prompter's Box Postscrii)t Progress Punch Kuined by Drink Railway Adventure Row in the House Sample vs. Pattern Saved Second Thoughts Senior Wraugles Sins of the Fathers Sixpenny Telegram Sour Grapes Spur of the Moment Steejjle Jack Step Sister Sunny Side Sunset Sunshine Taken by Storm Tears: Idle Tears That Dieadful Doctor The Nightingale Thorough Base Through the Fire Tom Pinch True Colors Two Pros Which Why Women Weep Woman's Wrongs Written in .sand YeUow Roses Yeoman's Service G-UIDE TO SELECTING PLAYS; Price 25 Cents. Showing how to select Farces, Comedies, Dramas, for Private or Public Performance; giving the Number of Characters, the Author's Name, the Scenery, Costumes, Time in Representation, and the Plot or Advice, connected with 1,500 Pieces. FRENCH'S PA/RLOR COMEDIES. A ne'w series of selected plays for Amateurs. Ten numbers. Price, 15 Cents each. Guide to Selecting Plays. Hints on Costume. Scenery to Fit any Stage. .Tarley's Wax Works, Ethiopian Plays, Charades, Amateur's Guide, Guide to the Stage. nSTE'V^T" O^A^T.i5k..ILiO(3-TJE SEJSTT IF'IR.EE. T. H. FREISrOH. 28 West 23d St., New lark. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 973 536 9 • Hollinger Corp. pH 8.5