[ACT II.
AFTER TAPS.]
Scene I.—Encampment of Union troops at Harrison's Landing one week later; time, noon. View of James River at back. Colonel Graham's tent, L.C., opening facing audience. Trees R. and L.; fallen log R. Campstool outside tent; inside, table, stools, couch. In one corner, banjo; old army coat, hanging. Sentinel pacing at back. Soldiers grouped about; wooden table C., at which are seated soldiers playing cards. Kilroy on log R.; Bijah Bright standing back of table. Soldiers laugh as curtain is raised.
Bijah. Wal, that's a true story, and don't you forget it.
Kilroy. Faith, it's an injy rubber memory yees have any way. An' divil a bit does it trouble yees to stretch it. Be jabers! it makes me dhry to listen to yees. (Drinks from canteen, then looks at watch.) Shure, it's toime I was on watch. (Exits R.)
(Enter Colonel Graham and Major Potts. Soldiers rise, salute, and disperse.)
Bijah (down front). Ha, ha! I've given them chaff enough for one day. It will give them something to talk about and keep them out of mischief. (Exit R.; Colonel Graham seats himself on stool outside tent.)
Col. Ah, major, already new life fills my veins; to know that I am with my men again. That seven days' fight is over at last; poor fellows! how many have answered their last call, and lie with white faces upturned to the sky; only the heavy dew for a winding-sheet; while the wounded are waiting for transports to take them back to Washington.
Potts. Those were hard days, colonel; but we must succeed in the end. When we have gained the victory, some of those brave fellows, whose souls are as white as their faces, will, if they can look down upon their country, rejoice that they gave their lives for so glorious a cause.