International photographer (Jan-Dec 1935)

Six T h INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER February, 1935 \\ THE MAN WHO WORE A SHAWL n By Silas Edgar Snyder TIME: Early spring in the year 1865, about sunset. PLACE: Grant's headquarters at City Point on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. ABRAHAM LINCOLN President of the United States on a visit to the headquarters of General Grant, commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States at war with the Confederate States of America. CHARACTERS COLONEL JOHN HAY RICHARD COLEMAN Secretary to President Lincoln. Private U. S. Volunteer, condemned to be shot for desertion. About twenty years old. Rise of curtain discovers room set apart for President Lincoln's use at City Point. It is plainly furnished as per sketch attached. Room is in semi-twilight lighted only by the afterglow of the sunset streaming through the window upstage at left and the fitful fire in the fire place. Enter Colonel John Hay, Secretary to President Lincoln, through door at right, with a sheaf of letters and official documents in his hand. He is dressed in a colonel's uniform of the U. S. A. and wears a sword. He lays hat and papers on table, unbuckles sword belt and lays belt and sword on table. Then he arranges letters and papers, goes to fire place and stands with back to fire warming himself. A dim light is streaming in at window and after Hay has stood for a few seconds at the fire place the familiar silhouette of Lincoln's head and shoulders is seen at window. It pauses a moment, then slowly passes the window from left to right. A few seconds later he enters at the rear door and speaks: "Humph. Good evening, Hay. You must have had your supper early. These raw spring evenings get into a man's marrow." As he speaks he divests himself of his great gray shawl and high hat which Hay takes. Lincoln walks toward fire place rubbing his hands and stands with back to fire, coat tails parted, hands behind him and legs wide apart. Meantime Hay is speaking while hanging hat and shawl on nails in wall near sideboard: "Good evening, Mr. President. It is a bit cool sir, but there's been too much excitement for me to notice it particularly. Looks to me like Lee can't stand the gaff much longer." As he speaks Hay moves to the table and pulls up two chairs. Lincoln speaks: "Only Lee's genius backed by such fighting men could have stood Grant's pounding this long. It's Americans fighting Americans, Hay." Then pausing Lincoln looks off into space and speaks slowly as to himself: "Thank God, it is nearly over." Then brightening up he asks briskly: "Anything urgent since I went to supper?" Hay reports rapidly: "General Sherman and Admiral Porter are tip for conference. Generals Grant and Mead will be here from Petersburg in an hour and General Sheridan is expected soon. Nothing new at Washington so I suppose all's quiet on the Potomac." As he speaks Hay is lighting the lamp which he turns up throwing a flood of light on the table, but leaving the rest of the room in semi-darkness. Lincoln speaks: "Thanks." As he speaks Lincoln strides toward table; his foot strikes a bunch of Tad's wooden soldiers; he stoops awkwardly and picks one up. He looks at it tenderly and speaks: "Humph. I see Tad's been here. He will insist upon traveling with his own private army." As he finishes speaking he continues to table and seats himself in chair. (No. 1.) He places the wooden soldier on the table before him and speaks: "Ready?" Hay answers: "Yes, sir." at the same time seating himself in chair. (No. 2.) very close to the President so that they may read from the same paper when necessary. Lincoln shows by his cheerful manner that all is going well. Hay speaks: "General Blank writes again to protest against your latest pardons of soldiers condemned to be shot. He says you are ruining army discipline." As he speaks Hay passes Blank's letter to the President. Lincoln glances over the letter, then speaks: "/ like General Blank, but he's too much of a martinet. He thinks that the most effective way to reform a man is to shoot him. Also if Blank had his way there wouldn't be a volunteer officer in the army. He reminds me of a story good old Peter Carlwrighl used to tell back there in Illinois. "Early in the forties there were only three preachers in Springfield — Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. One day a young fellow showed up and announced that he intended to organize a Universalist Church there. The three parsons already on the ground became very indignant and decided to combine against tlie newcomer. Their plan was to preach him down and the Methodist parson was given the first shot. After an hour of fiery denunciation the good old preacher concluded with: 'Why, this young upstart says that ALL shall be saved, but my dear brethren, let us hope for better things/'" Hay listens with evident relish as the President drawls out his story and joins Lincoln in a hearty chuckle at the end — Lincoln sits silent a moment fingering his beard, then his face resumes its sad, serious expression. He picks up the wooden soldier and look at it — then speaks slowly: "Tad agrees with me that our Boys in Blue should not be shot by firing squad*. In all his soldier play I have never seen him execute a soldier." He pauses, smiles affectionately at the wooden soldier and speaks: "Write General Blank that I will consider his protest and write him later." As Lincoln finishes speaking a company of soldiers marches past back stage, right to left singing: "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord." Lincoln pauses and listens attentively, then sighs deeply. He speaks: "The boys are happy. They think they're going home soon. God grant they may. What's next?" "P. T. Barnum, the showman, wants an autographed picture of you, Mr. President." "Haven't a picture to my name, Hay. Tell Barnum I refuse to join his menagerie. That reminds me of a good joke on myself. "Just after I was nominated at Chicago in I860 an enterprising fellow thought that a great many people would like Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.