Robert E. Lee Part 6

1ST CONFEDERATE--Their uniforms don't look much like ours, do they?

2ND CONFEDERATE--No, nor their General doesn't look much like ours either.

3RD CONFEDERATE--Didn't Ma.r.s.e Robert look wonderful when he went through that door? Just naturally hating to go in, but going just the same, because he knew it was right.

1ST CONFEDERATE--Of course he had to go in, we couldn't have stood another day without any rations.

2ND CONFEDERATE--You mean you couldn't. I could have gone till I dropped without rations, if Ma.r.s.e Robert had said so.

3RD CONFEDERATE--But he wouldn't let his men suffer any longer when he saw it was no use. s.h.!.+ Here he comes now.

(_Soldiers stand at attention. The door slowly opens and LEE steps out.

He looks up to the hills and sky. Silently clasps his hands together, then slowly and almost bent, walks down the steps. For a moment the men are silent. Then the sight of GEN. LEE is too much for them and they crowd around him cheering him._)

LEE--(_Lifting his hand for silence._) Men, we have fought through the war together. I have done my best for you. My heart is too full to say more.

ACT IV

_Scene--Lee's Parlor at Richmond._

Characters

Gen. Lee Mrs. Jackson, a family friend Jack Sharpe, a former Confederate soldier Sam, an old negro servant G. W. Custis Lee, Gen. Lee's son Mr. Brown, representative of an Insurance Company Judge Brockenborough, Trustee of Was.h.i.+ngton College

PAT--(_Bursting through door with a huge basket of provisions, salutes._) Sure, sir, you're a great soldier and it's I that knows it.

I've been fighting against you all these years, and many a hard knock we've had. But, General, I honor you for it, and now they tell me you are poor and in want, and I've brought you this basket. Please take it from a soldier.

LEE--I thank you comrade, but I'm glad to tell you I am not in need. But there are plenty of poor fellows over at the hospital who would be only too glad to get food from so generous a foe.

PAT--Just as you say, sir, but if ever you are in need just let Pat Murphy know, that's all. (_Exit._)

(_Enter MRS. JACKSON._)

LEE--How do you do, Mrs. Jackson.

MRS. JACKSON--Good morning General, and how are all the family?

LEE--We are all as usual, the women of the family very fierce and the men very mild.

MRS. JACKSON--I think every woman of the South is fierce now. I am bringing up all my sons to hate the Yankees.

LEE--Madam, don't bring up your sons to detest the United States Government. Recollect that we form one country now. Abandon all this local hatred and make your sons Americans.

MRS. JACKSON--How can you talk that way after the way you have been treated.

LEE--General Grant has acted with magnanimity.

MRS. JACKSON--If there ever was a saint on earth, you are one. Now I must go upstairs and tell your wife so, but I reckon she knows it. Good morning. (_Exit MRS. JACKSON. Enter JACK SHARPE dressed in ragged clothes, he looks all around, then goes up to Lee and salutes._)

SHARPE--General, I'm one of your soldiers, and I've come here as the representative of four of my comrades who are too ragged and dirty to venture to see you. We are all Virginians, General, from Roanoke County, and they sent me here to see you on a little business.

They've got our President in prison and now--they--talk--about--arresting--you. And, General, we can't stand--we'll never stand and see that.

Now, General, we five men have got about two hundred and fifty acres of land in Roanoke--very good land, too, it is, sir--and if you'll come up there and live, I've come to offer you our land, all of it and we five men will work as your field hands, and you'll have very little trouble in managing it with us to help you.

And, General, there are near about a hundred of us left in old Roanoke, and they could never take you there, for we could hide you in the hollows of the mountains, and the last man of us would die in your defense.

LEE--I thank you and your friends, but my place is among the people of Virginia. If ever they needed me, it is now. (_He goes to the door and calls SAM. Enter SAM._)

LEE--Sam I want you to find all the clothes I can do without and give them to this soldier for his friends.

SHARPE--I thank you general, and if ever you change your mind, just let Jack Sharpe hear from you. (_Exit JACK and SAM. Enter Lee's oldest son, G. W. CUSTIS LEE._)

G. W. LEE--Well, Father, hard at work entertaining visitors as usual, I suppose.

LEE--Yes, I don't see how so many find the time to come here.

G. W. C. LEE--Lots of the poor soldiers are out of work.

LEE--I am sorry. Tell them they must all set to work, and if they cannot do what they prefer, do what they can. Virginia wants all their aid, all their support, and the presence of all her sons to sustain her now.

G. W. C. LEE--I don't quite know what I'm going to do myself yet.

LEE--You can work for Virginia, to build her up again. You can teach your children to love and cherish her.

G. W. C. LEE--You are right, Father, all my life you have never failed to give me inspiration. (_Exit. Enter SAM and hands LEE a letter. He opens it and reads._)

LEE--"Dear General: we have been fighting hard for four years, and now the Yankees have got us in Libby Prison. The boys want you to get us out if you can, but, if you can't, just ride by the Libby, and let us see you and give you a cheer. We will all feel better after it."

SAM--Will you all go for to see 'em, Ma.r.s.e Robert?

LEE--They would make too much fuss over the old rebel. Why should they care to see me? I am only a poor old Confederate. (_Exit SAM, shaking his head. Enter MR. BROWN, a well-dressed business man._)

BROWN--I have not the honor of your acquaintance, General, except as all the world knows you. My name is Brown and I represent a well known Insurance Company.

LEE--I am afraid my life is hardly worth insuring, Mr. Brown.

BROWN--It is not about that I came to see you. I understand you are not as yet permanently employed and I have come, therefore, to offer you the presidency of our company at a yearly salary of $50,000.

LEE--I thank you, sir, but I would be of no value to your company, as I know nothing whatever in regard to insurance.

BROWN--But, General, you will not be expected to do any work, what we wish is the use of your name.