Barney. (Throwing off hat and coat, L.) Come out here with them idiots. Come out! Come out! (Spanks his hand on floor.)
1st Sol. Ah-r, Barney, get out, we were only in fun.
Barney. Go away wid you for a thafe and blackguard ye are.
1st Sol. Come, Barney, let’s have a drink and make up. (Soldier produces bottle. Barney looks incredulous, as if expecting some imposition. He approaches very slowly.)
Barney. And you have no sickness in it?
1st Sol. Ah-r, what do you take us for? (Barney takes bottle and attempts to drink. Finds it empty. Flings it out L. Spanks his hand on the floor. Soldiers laugh very loud.)
Barney. Come out! Come out, you thafe er the worruld! I’ll bat your dam head off you. Come out! (Gen. Halcom turns, looks at them a moment. Barney subsides, and as he puts on coat and hat, turns often to see if Hal. is looking at him. Enter Orderly L. U. E.)
Orderly. (To Gen. Hal.) A note, sir, from the commander-in-chief.
Halcom. One moment (reads note). Say to the commander-in-chief that the enemy are massing on our immediate front. (Orderly salutes and retires L. U. E.) The picket will report to chief of brigade guard. (Pickets retire. L. U. E. Halcom follows slowly. Soon a squad of rebel soldiers enter R. with Keele. Brightly peering cautiously. D’A. shows R. U. E. A picket fires out L. U. E. A return shot and he falls. Three other shots and rebels retire R., but soon come slowly back.)
Brightly. Some of those Yankees have learned to shoot since this fight began. (To men.) Take that body behind the hill and bury it. (Rebel soldiers drag the body out R.)