Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-09
REBEL THEsPIANs.
interesting Incidents In Experience
of Confederate Prisoners of War.
Wilmington Messenger)

Wilmington Aiessenger)
There are many Incidents of the late
civil war coming to the front as the years
put US further from the conflict. We
have heard how cheerfully and heroically
the Confederate soldiers endured the
hardships of camp life, and how full of
run and humor they were in the face
OF all the dangers and privations that
beset them every day. Their patriotism
and fighting qualities are matter Of
I history, recorded in the battles that made
the great American war the most noted
! IN the annals Of the world How many,
! however, know that amid all the dam
/ gers OF battle and the restraints OF prison
life. that the boys in gray gave some Of
their time and attention to historical
matters, and played their parts upon the
stage?
our esteemed citizen, Captain James
]. Metts. Third North Carolina Infantry,
was a prisoner Of war az JOhnson's
Island In lS63-64, and he vslls us that
even in the continent OF prison the
boys kept up their spirits, and had fire.
quent theatrical entertainments. AS me-
mentoes Of these occasions. Captain
Nets is the possessor of several bills adj
vertising the plays and giving the casts.
Aol~sa-NO MINIS
one Of the bills proclaims the fact that
the Island Minstrels" would on Satur-
day afternoon, October 10, 1863 give an
entertainment. Under the head line Of the
bill the names Of The following manage
ment appears:
Manager and Proprietor. Mr.. Charles
J.. Stout"
Acting stage Manager. Mr. e. Fl.
Walter"
Musical Director. Mr.. W. H. Harriss."
Treasurer. Mr.. j. c. Ward"
The following unique announcement is
made:
1.-THE manager having had forty years
experience in his peculiar line of BUSH
mes, is proud 10 announce TO the friends
Of the institution and citizens Of John
sons Island, that after unparalleled ex-
ertions he has succeeded in procuring the
first order Of talent from Fort Delaware,
Alton, Camp Chase, and the penitentia-
ries Of Columbus, o., and Allegheny City, |
Pa, and he is now prepared to present TO |
the public the greatest array Of talent |
ever before witnessed in the United /
States. He has succeeded I'm procuring. |
for one night only. the services of the |
celebrated Irish comedian, Billy Boyd /
and also the following stars: Mr.. d. L.
Durham, the inimitaole bones; Mr.. r. +.
the renowned guitarist; Mr.. J.
e.. Ward. the exquisite hutist: Mr.
William II. Harriss. the modern Paganini;
Mr. Ole Bull Livingstone. Mr.. Paul Julian
Mr. Joe Sweeney Cronin,
MI Triangular Decker. Mr.. Charles L.
Stout. Feeling that he would not be
able to do justice to his own merits, he
respectfully invites the public 70 come
md see what he can do with the tam
)ourine"
Then follows an interesting programme
4 songs jig-dancing. and music by the
members Of the company and the band.
Is third part II Is announced that "the
stonishng afterpiece entitled The Sc
ret; or. the Hole in the Fence, would
10 presented"
REBEL THESPIANS
Another bin announces that the "Bebel
hespians" would appear Thursday eve
ling January T. 1864. in IAN original drama
" Lieutenant A. J. Peeler, Of Florida.
written expressly for the Thespians."
he bill says: 1.-THE manager feels an
onest pride I'm presenting this perform
nee 10 his fellow-prisoners, a splendid
lelodrama, in five acts by a member OF
be association. The play reflects much ,
redit on the young author exhibiting ,
reat beauty and perfection in delinea- /
on Of character. 1t presents to the
)ldler many familiar scenes Of the lst I
/. and Sd of July at Gettysburg, Pa" I
he performance concluded with the 2
rec BOX and Cox" The orchestra in h