The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-19
"A WOMAN OF WAR"
A Charming story of the Days of the
sixties Well Played.

during those DAYS that tried men souls, ~
from, 1861 until the bonnie blue flag went
down in final defeat. has been the theme
NJ song and story for more than quarter
nj a century and will continue to be such
for probably a century to come. And 1t
IS a rich and fruitful theme. The sacri-
fces the fertility of resources, the 10y
altv. the love of the women of the south
for the cause of their section stands with
out parallel in history. One of the tender
est. and yet, withal, one of the most he
roic of the stories of the war Ringing upon
the daring and loyalty of a woman is that
of A Woman of War, written by Gen.
Felix Agnus of Baltimore, dramatized by
him in collaboration with Miss Louise
Nauov. and presented at the theater last
night by Miss Virginia Stuart and a COM
netept company of artists. Gen. Agnus
briefly explains that during much of his
service in the war he was among the
southern people, and had ample oppors
tunity of studying the men ana women OF
mis- section. His experience with the
daughters of the south showed MIN that
the southern women of the war were al
most without exception true tender-neart-
ed loving loyal daughters OF the south,
who during the eventful times that tries
woman's soul as well as man 5,
remained ever faithful TO their trust,
loyal to their cause, ana rlskeo
In this line he has drawn the character
of his heroine who is tender, gehlie' re-
fined, quiet; yet possessed of the fre OF
PATH patriotism and ana hono one And Ias these
attributes of character are charmingly de-
lineated by Miss Virginia Stuart, in the
character of Alice Bartheley the heroine:
MISS Stuarts acting makes it plain that
She is perfectly familiar with all the
niceties observed by the circle of society
in which the southern maiden OF genue
birth moved in the period in which the
The action of the play opens in wood
near Port Hudson, which the federal
Bartheley plantation, on which resides
southern matron and her two daughters.
The eldest-Alice-is engaged 10 capt.
Ralph Latimer of Port HUDSON, whose
military training at West Point make him
a specially valuable prize for the feder-
ais, who have been ordered to use every
means for his capture. The attacks upon
Fort Hudson have hitherto always been
unsuccessful, as a mysterious agency out
side, which the federals are .unapfe 10
trace to its source, is supplying tnet De-
seged with accurate information OF all
the enemy's plans and movements. latl-
mer is in the habit OF making stolen visits
from the fort 10 his sweetheart, though
she begs him to- avoid the risk. AT the
opening of the play they are strolling In
the woods When they are captured by
squad of Duryee Zouaves under Mai Du-
val and Cant. Hall. Uncle Ben, a faithful
old servitor, has been previously captured
and Duval, suspecting the identity of
Laimer, but anxious to make sure or 1t,
tries to terrify the old negro into iden-
flying him. Latimer at this surrenders,
and is lead off to headquarters under
guard, while Alice despite her violence
and refusals of favor, is taken home with
an escort.
The character of Uncle Ben in this scene
is a worthy tribute to the consistency OF
ters and is well played by MIR. Plunkett.
Mr. Cross, as the confederate officer, wins
the friendship of the audience at once, as
does likewise the chivalrous Maj. Duval
Or. George d. Parker), who declines to
read the papers that have been found upon
his prisoner because thsye are private let
tiers from a lady.
On the way to headquarters I4atimer
escapes. Finding himself in danger of re-
capture he seeks the Bartheley planta-
ton, where he is welcomed with joy, soon
turned to CONSERVATION at the announce
ment of the visit of Hall and Duval to the
ladies'. 1t being too late to escape, the wo-
men take advantage of the delay of Duval
in entering to pass off Latimer upon Hall
as war correspondent. Hall is suspi-
clous, and while apparently receiving the
explanation, contrives that he shall pre-
vent Laumer from leaving the house. The
rest of the act is devoted to the efforts of
me women to prevent the recapture of
Latimer. A carried dove, trained by Alice
cations, flies into the room, is captured
by Hall, and such discriminating dispatches
TO Alice found upon it that she is arrested
as the mysterious spy.
court martial is convened to try the
prisoner. This scene seems to be just a
little slow. Duval, who has fallen in
t fe with the prisoner, volunteers to de-
iend her, and makes an eloquent and
beautiful plea in her behalf. DuvaPs
speech is the salient feature of the act.
buI ne does not get to the making of it
win quite enough promptness that is, the
proceedings of the court are burdened
With detail that might be dispensed with.
me prisoner declines at first to accept
DuVal as her attorney, but finally yields.
Nhen, however, she finds him taking adj
sahtages of technicalities and sentiment
Ill her behalf, she reVolts, asserts her
Eride IN the fact that she gave the con-
tteaeIates in the fort information, and
.suhtS the court with the success of her
eaorts. Her spirited recital leaves the
gu4. no alternative, and she is found
suity OF being spy and is sentenced to
W ne shot. Miss Stuart's work in this
scene challenges admiration. There is
sSto,Hing melodramatic about it. Her pas
ZION Is of the deep, intense kind, which
life itself.
Alice is condemned to be shot the next
TT5oInlng in the presence of the troops.
rIe parting scene between Alice and her
S%oLner Is painful one, and is too long
%sbaWn out. 1t should by all means be
'R9rIened by at least one-half.
DDurlng the night a storm arises, in
Smch Latimer seeks the camp in wild
gpe OF saving her or of dying with her.
d. dr. meets DuVal, who has assumed guard
SuV secretly to perfect a scheme he has
=" ner flight, and the two men have
NJ SITuggle before Latimer is convinced
4 DuVals sincerity. The troops are
AVN up, and all the mournful ceremony
scs@r military execution is ready. The Of
sy or the day reads the sentence. Ev-
TS Getall was carried out according to
sict form prescribed in actual service for
IN vi tragic solemnities. Alice is placed
bap ltlon before the firing party, and at
es5 ldat moment as their guns are lev
N.Y. az her breast, a pardon comes and
s. bi7s restored to her lover. She recog-
4 DHgvs, the honorable and devoted love of
& tba a., and proves her gratitude by kissing
4 Gs lars and stripes "for his sake" and
t6s curtain goes down with Duval upon
ia sage alone, his face buried in the
H. mat she has kissed.
& ti sentiment of the play, from first
10 III is pure and ennobling. There is
s bv b1!-aln Each man is actuated only
r.ou9r and duty, and it is the rigorous
s u11iaa1s of war that brings about the
hg is5SSsdnt situations There is no reach
tlorss 1s II, melodramatic effects by the au-
stro5., tney have made their lines so
alt0gss. mat red fire and ranting would be
T Iler out of place.
Blanc apt Hall of Mr.. Quinn, the
fact ~ Bartheley of Miss Williamson
4 deser,asinI OF the supporting company are
tous lug OF commentator for conscien-
The M iu satisfactory work.
N this a Fftey win be repeated at a matinee