Connecticut western news., 1885-12-30
THE CONFEDERATE SPY.


 THE CONFEDERATE TIE SPY.
 The drama "The Confederate Spy was admirably presented by David S.. Cow1es Post, G. A. R., at Town hall Tuesday evening, December p, not withstanding it was greatly abridged in consequence of MT Mcdonald occupy ing so much time in relating his war recollections. The Post have been strongly urged to present the drama at Norfolk, and they undoubtedly will soon comply with the request. Falls Village people also want to witness it, and if they can guarantee the Post an audience that will meet expenses the Post will probably present the drama there.
 Even if person attends church every Sabbath and is well pleased with his pastor, yet he occasionally likes to hear a different preacher. We attended the drama, but there was also another editor present, so if we publish his report of it instead of our own our readers can see what disinterested persons opin- ion is. We now have the pleasure of introducing Editor Bolles of the New Milford Gazette, who in his issue of De- cember 25 says:
 David S. Cowles Post, G. A. R., gave an entertainment in the Town hall at | 1ou hn cipal feature was the presentation of a war drama, written by the commander of this post, Rev B. F. Atwood of Can aan, formerly of Bridgewater, who also trained the actors in their several parts and took a leading character himself. The entire seating capacity of the hall was filled and the drama was a success. It is something new, and Commander Atwood and his able assistants are enti- tied to much credit.
 | Jerome Titus and W. H. Farrally of this village, respectively fifer and drum mer for the entertainment, and the edi- tor of the Gazette were present. Bob White of Winsted, who drummed with MT Titus during three years of the re- bellion, was also on hand and revived past memories by drumming the old army calls. Commander Soule of Up ton Post wished to attend, but was pre- vented by other engagements.
 On Tuesday afternoon the actors as. sembled in the hall for rehearsal. They came from miles around; some of them lived even ten miles distant, so that they deserve much praise. A parade around the streets in the evening was planned but it's execution was prevented by the unfavorable weather, so that the veter ans contented themselves by merely forming in line in front of the hall just before the entertainment began, and marching into the hall single file. lnd by the fife and drum. The vet rans, who carried army muskets and bayonets an wore knapsacks, range themselves II front of the stage, and went througl the manual of arms in au admirabl, manner, after which Commander William 'IcDonald Of Dresser Post HOusatonir gave long address entitled, "Recollec tions of '62" His remarks were inter sting and were enlivened by we'll deliv red anecdotes, but the speech was tot 'ambling and long drawn out for sucl sn occasion, and before the speaker ha( ;ot through his subject Commander At vood was obliged to notify him that hi lime was up, while at the same time ex pressing regret that the comrades thrill ing recollections could not all be told The drama was then presented, and or 1"connt of it's novel character we giv, the synopsis:
 Call TOT guard mount, drum and fife
 Scene 1-Guard mounting and ill ~pection oe arms.
 Scene 2-Picket post-Pitching ten Cooking supper - The spy appear md is arrested-Tattoo on bugle-Call ing of roll heard ill distance-Picke guard relieved-Foragers coming in Grand round-Taps on drum and bugl, Lights out-Firing on picket-Gen Aral alarm-Pickets rrtreat-Long rol sounds-Men called into line at mid night.
 Call for dress parade, drum and fife
 Scene 3-Dress parade-Genera or ders read.
 Cornet solo, by T. S. Glover.
 Scene 4-Court martial of prisoner Music.
 Scene 5-The prisoner in the guard house is visited by chaplain-The SD. plans an escape-Escapes-Commotloi caused by the iscovery-Cavalry sen in pursuit-Brought in by cavalry Vide Music.
 Final scene-The prisoner is marched out following his coffin-The dead marcl Is sentenced-Placed upon his coffil Is shot-Placed in his coffin, read, : for burial-Music.
 The scene in which the foragers came into the camp loaded with provisions including vegetables of various kind. and two live chickens. was very anus ing. One of the chickens escaped an, flew out into the audience, alighting ol the head of w. H. Farally, and causing commotion among some pretty youn. ladies who sat near by.
 The names of the principal actors il the drama were:
 E. F. Atwood, commander of th, post, general manager; A. P. Briggs commander-elect, assistant; E. s. Rob erts, officer of the day; H. SchamerlIorn in charge of picket; M. J. Kilmer, il charge of firing party; John Roys, spy M. Keane, visiting chaplain
 John Roys, who took the principa character, that of the spy, acted his par in an admirable manner and afforded the audience much amusement. The band music was furnished by the Can aan cornet band.
 There is some talk of having the dra ma acted in New Milford by the mem bers of Upton post, G. A. R. We have no doubt that the local talent of the G. A. R. would do the drama justice, while the stage facilities of our Town hall much superior to those of the Canaan hall, would enable managers to give the