Halcom. Whose sword is dishonored with blighted virtue and broken hearts, bartered for gold in the shambles of the auction yards.
Hood. Keep your foul tongue civil, or I may forget myself.
Halcom. It is honorable to be a traitor, when allegiance would strangle liberty—outrage virtue—rob the poor of the right to their miserable earnings, and trample on the most sacred affections of the heart.
Hood. The defence of a hypocrite.
Halcom. Only cowards defend dishonor. (Brightly draws, and attempts to rush on him. D’A. dashes between.)
D’A. The man is unarmed.
Brightly. Which leaves him no right to convey an insult.
Hood. Call a court-martial at once. The military law shall settle this. (Brightly hurries out, R.) D’Arneaux, search his person for arms. (D’A. makes a fruitless search. Enter Brightly with a drum and camp-stool, followed by a rebel officer.) Col. Gilday, you will act as judge advocate. (Gilday prepares for business.) Capt. Brightly, take the stand. (Sworn.) State to the court what you know of this man.
Brightly. The prisoner’s name is Francis Halcom. He is a native of Creelsboro’, Tennessee, on the Cumberland river. I have known the family since my childhood. With the exception of three years in Massachusetts for education, Creelsboro’ has always been his home. When Tennessee withdrew from the confederation, he immediately went north, raised troops, and has since led them on to pillage and murder in his native state. Yesterday, he was captured with arms in his hands, fighting as becomes a traitor. (Steps aside.)
Hood. D’Arneaux, take the stand. (Sworn.) Tell the court what you know of this case.