Chapter 4

SET SCENE: _Jefferson Davis' room in the Confederate Capitol at Richmond, two days later. A long table is on the right. Two small tables on left. Doors right and left, and mantel center._

AT RISE: A DOORMAN _in Confederate uniform arranges the chairs about a long table as if for a Cabinet Meeting._

[BENJAMIN _enters._]

BENJAMIN

Mr. Davis has not yet arrived----?

THE DOORMAN

Not yet, Mr. Benjamin--I am expecting him at ten o'clock--it's now a quarter of----

BENJAMIN

I've asked a young man to wait in your room for me--has he come----?

THE DOORMAN

He's there now--sir----

BENJAMIN

You've talked with him freely----?

THE DOORMAN

[_Laughs._]

Oh, yes, sir--we've been swappin' yarns for half an hour----

BENJAMIN

I thought so--that's why I asked him to wait in your room----

THE DOORMAN

Well, I always try to be sociable----!

BENJAMIN

I know! Did you get much out of him?

THE DOORMAN

Why, how--how do ye mean?

BENJAMIN

Find out anything about his people--where he came from, where he's going to--what he's doing in Richmond?

THE DOORMAN

Oh, no, sir! He's full of fun--he kept me laughin' most o' the time----

BENJAMIN

I see----!

[_Laughs._]

He knows his business. Show him in.

THE DOORMAN

Yes, sir----

[BENJAMIN _seats himself at one of the small tables at left and examines his schedule for the day's work._ THE DOORMAN _opens the door and shows_ VAUGHAN _in, dressed in Confederate uniform._ BENJAMIN _rises and greets him cordially._]

BENJAMIN

Good morning, young man----

[_Gives_ VAUGHAN _the Sign of the Knights of the Golden Circle._]

VAUGHAN

[_Returns Sign._]

Good morning, Mr. Benjamin--I hope you've rested well?

BENJAMIN

Not so well as usual--the truth is I've been wrestling all night with the problem of Jacquess and Gilmore. I've confirmed your view that they have given their real names. Gilmore _is_ a reporter of the New York _Tribune_ and Colonel Jacquess is a Methodist clergyman well known in the hospital service, in fact famous for his kindly treatment of Southern prisoners----

VAUGHAN

Just as I told you----

BENJAMIN

I've allowed the Commissioner of Exchange who has been holding them in custody to bring them here this morning----

VAUGHAN

Good!

BENJAMIN

Last night, I made up my mind to take your advice and to let them see Mr. Davis----

VAUGHAN

I'm glad----

BENJAMIN

This morning I'm puzzling over it!

VAUGHAN

[_Showing his disappointment._]

Why----?

BENJAMIN

I agree with you that we could use the interview for our own purposes. But the trouble is, Mr. Davis is soft-hearted sometimes. He may refuse to take my advice. He may let these men go.

VAUGHAN

You surely can depend on his allowing you to hold them in Libby Prison until after the election?

BENJAMIN

I'm not sure of it. If he takes a notion to let them go--he's as stubborn as a mule.

VAUGHAN

All right--Let me be present at the interview and take notes. If Mr. Davis makes an important declaration about peace and lets them go, I'll beat them to the North and give _your_ version of the interview first----!

BENJAMIN

[_Hesitating._]

I might do that--yes----!

VAUGHAN

I could not only head off any injury from their report, but I could give it a twist that would make it a boomerang on Lincoln----

[BENJAMIN _hesitates while_ VAUGHAN _watches him breathlessly._]

BENJAMIN

[_Thinking._]

You could act as my special secretary for the meeting and take shorthand notes--or pretend to----

VAUGHAN

I take shorthand. I've been a reporter in Washington----

BENJAMIN

Then it would be easy.

VAUGHAN

No matter what is said, I can make a report that will harden the purpose of our Societies to swing the uprising on the night of the election.

BENJAMIN

You are sure the order for the revolt against the Lincoln Government has been issued?

VAUGHAN

Absolutely sure.

BENJAMIN

I know they have discussed it and may have decided to do it, but are the actual preparations under way?

VAUGHAN

In every Lodge of the Knights of the Golden Circle, the command is now on record. Our forces are being drilled. I have read the original order with the signature of the Commander----

BENJAMIN

[_Elated._]

It's great news you've brought us, young man--great news!

[BENJAMIN _hesitates and_ VAUGHAN _watches him._]

All right, we'll risk it----!

[VAUGHAN _shows his secret joy and deep excitement._]

These men are Lincoln's spies beyond a doubt--but we'll dig out of them all the information possible, and then use them for our purpose----

[THE DOORMAN _enters._]

THE DOORMAN

Judge Ould, the Commissioner of Exchange----

[OULD _enters._]

OULD

Our visitors are outside, Mr. Benjamin.

BENJAMIN

You understand, Judge Ould, that these men are prisoners of war in your charge as Exchange Commissioner?

OULD

I am painfully aware of that fact, sir--and the responsibility is not to my liking.

BENJAMIN

While in Richmond, they are to be held under the strictest guard and on no conditions allowed a liberty except by my order, or the order of the President.

OULD

I can trust them here with you, I hope, for half an hour?

BENJAMIN

You can. Show them in.

[VAUGHAN _takes his seat at the small table near_ BENJAMIN _who gives him a note book and he prepares to take notes._ OULD _reënters conducting_ JACQUESS _and_ GILMORE.]

OULD

Colonel James F. Jacquess and Mr. John R. Gilmore,--Mr. Secretary of State----

[OULD _bows and exits, while_ BENJAMIN _advances with marked cordiality to greet his visitors. He does not shake hands but bows politely._]

BENJAMIN

I am delighted to see you, gentlemen--pray be seated.

[_The two men sit and_ GILMORE _shoots at_ VAUGHAN _a look of startled recognition which_ VAUGHAN _fails to return._]

You bring overtures from your Government I trust.

JACQUESS

No, sir, we bring no overtures----

GILMORE

We have no authority from our Government.

JACQUESS

We have come simply as private citizens to know what terms will be acceptable to Mr. Davis for ending the war?

BENJAMIN

You are acquainted with Mr. Lincoln's views, however?

JACQUESS

One of us is fully----

BENJAMIN

I supposed so. May I ask, did Mr. Lincoln in any way authorize you to come here?

GILMORE

No, sir. We came on his pass through the lines, of course, but not by his request.

JACQUESS

We came, Mr. Benjamin, simply as men and Christians, not as diplomats, hoping in a frank talk with Mr. Davis to discover some way by which this war may be stopped.

BENJAMIN

On my advice, gentlemen, Mr. Davis will see you----

JAQUESS AND GILMORE

Thank you----

BENJAMIN

I think he is here now----

[BENJAMIN _exits._]

GILMORE

[_In low tones to_ VAUGHAN.]

What are you doing here?

VAUGHAN

Writing! I don't know you----

GILMORE

The hell you don't!

VAUGHAN

No!

GILMORE

We worked on the same paper in Washington, once----

VAUGHAN

Never saw you before----

GILMORE

Get-word-through-will you! _We're in a trap!_

VAUGHAN

Shut your damned trap! or we'll both make our breakfast on lead at sunrise to-morrow morning! Get back to your seat!

[_The sound of approaching steps are heard._ BENJAMIN _enters as_ GILMORE _drops into his seat._]

BENJAMIN

Gentlemen: The President of the Confederate States of America!

[DAVIS _enters and bows to his visitors, who rise. His figure is about five foot ten and quite thin. His features are typically the Southern scholar and thinker with angular cheeks and high cheek bones. His iron gray hair is long and thick and inclined to curl at the ends. His whiskers are thin and trimmed farmer fashion, on the lower end of his strong chin. His eyes flash with strong vitality. His forehead is broad, his mouth strong. He wears a brown suit of foreign cloth which fits him perfectly. His shoulders slightly droop. His manner is easy and graceful, his voice charming and cultured._]

DAVIS

I am glad to meet you, gentlemen. You are very welcome to Richmond.

GILMORE

We thank you, Mr. Davis.

DAVIS

Mr. Benjamin tells me that you have asked to see me----

[_He pauses and waits for his visitors to finish the sentence._]

JACQUESS

Yes, sir. Our people want Peace. Your people do. We have come to ask how it may be brought about?

DAVIS

Very simply. Withdraw your armies from the South, let us alone and Peace comes at once.

JACQUESS

But we cannot let you alone so long as you seek to divide the Union.

DAVIS

I know. You deny us, what you exact for yourselves--the right of self-government.

JACQUESS

Even so, Mr. Davis, we cannot fight forever. The war must end sometime. We must finally agree on something. Can we not find the basis of agreement now, and stop this slaughter?

[VAUGHAN _takes notes rapidly._]

DAVIS

I wish peace as much as you do. I deplore bloodshed. But I feel that not one drop of this blood is on my hands. I can look up to God and say this. I tried to avert this war. I saw it coming and for twelve years I worked day and night to prevent it. The North was mad and blind and would not let us govern ourselves, and now it must go on until the last man of this generation falls in his tracks and their children seize their muskets and fight our battle--_unless you acknowledge our right to self-government_. We are not fighting for Slavery. We are fighting for _independence_ and that or _extermination_ we will have----

JACQUESS

[_Protesting._]

We have no wish to exterminate the South! But we must crush your armies. Is it not already nearly done? Grant has shut you up in Richmond, and Sherman is before Atlanta.

DAVIS

[_Laughs._]

You don't seem to understand the situation! We're not exactly shut up in Richmond yet. If your papers tell the truth, it is your Capitol that is in danger, not ours. Lee's front has never yet been broken. He holds Grant, invades the North and shells Washington. Sherman, to be sure, is before Atlanta. But suppose he is? His position is a dangerous one. The further he goes from his base of supplies, the more disastrous defeat must be. And his defeat may be at hand.

JACQUESS

And yet, the odds are overwhelmingly against you. How can you hope for success in the end?

DAVIS

My friend, the South stands for a principle--their equal rights under the Constitution which their fathers created. This country has always been a Republic of Republics--not an Empire. We are fighting for the right of local self-government which we won from the tyrants of the old world. The states of the Union have always been sovereign. We never paused to figure on success or failure, sir. Five million Southern freemen drew their sword against twenty millions because their rights had been invaded.

JACQUESS

And yet, Mr. Davis, you know as well as I that five millions cannot hold out forever against twenty. Have we not reached the end?

DAVIS

Hardly! Do you think there _are_ twenty millions in the North still determined to crush us? If so, let me tell you that I am better informed on the present situation inside your lines than you are. The North at this moment is hopelessly divided, sir----

[BENJAMIN _exchanges signs with_ VAUGHAN.]

JACQUESS

The dispute then with your government is narrowed to this--union--or disunion?

DAVIS

Let us say independence or subjugation. We mean to govern ourselves. We will hold this principle if we have to see every Southern plantation sacked and every city in flames----

[JACQUESS _and_ GILMORE _rise._ VAUGHAN _catches_ GILMORE'S _eye._]

JACQUESS

I am sorry, sir.

[DAVIS _takes_ JACQUESS' _hand in both his in the same way_ LINCOLN _did._]

DAVIS

I respect your character, Colonel Jacquess and your motives and I wish you well--every good wish possible consistent with the interests of the Confederacy----

[_He presses_ GILMORE'S _hand and follows them to the door._]

JACQUESS

Thank you.

DAVIS

[_At door._]

And say to Mr. Lincoln that I shall be pleased to receive proposals for peace direct from him, at any time, on the basis of our independence. It will be useless to approach me with any other.

[JACQUESS _and_ GILMORE _exit and_ OULD _reënters._]

OULD

[_To Davis._]

And shall I conduct these gentlemen back to Grant's lines?

BENJAMIN

[_Quickly._]

No, these men are spies straight from Lincoln's desk. It's the slyest trick the old fox has ever tried to play on us. He knows that McClellan's election on a peace platform is a certainty. He's after ammunition for this campaign. We dare not play into his hands! Our very life may depend on it! Make no mistake--these men must be locked up to-night and shot at sunrise.

OULD

[_Shakes his head._]

I wouldn't do it if I were you----

BENJAMIN

Why?

OULD

For one reason this----

[OULD _unfolds a note._]

Ben Butler sent this note to me by their hands. It was sealed. Read it.

DAVIS

[_Interrupting._]

Just a moment----

[_To_ THE DOORMAN.]

General Lee is in the War Office--ask him if he can see me for a few minutes, please.

[THE DOORMAN _bows and exits._]

Go on, gentlemen.

OULD

[_To_ BENJAMIN--_handing him the note._]

Read it!

BENJAMIN

[_Reading._]

"If these men do not return to my lines within ten days, I shall demand them, and if you don't produce them--I'll execute two for one.

"(Signed) B. F. BUTLER."

[_Angrily._]

Bluff! Bluff!

DAVIS

He's a beast. He'll do it.

BENJAMIN

All right! Let him try it! Two can play that game. We can execute four for one----

DAVIS

I don't like these bloody reprisals. There's no end, once we begin.

BENJAMIN

The decision is yours, sir.

DAVIS

I reserve my decision. I'll give it to you presently. I want a word with General Lee--first--if you will give me this room.

BENJAMIN

Certainly, we'll retire until you're ready. This way.

[BENJAMIN _conducts_ VAUGHAN _and_ OULD _into the room right--opposite the door through which_ JACQUESS _and_ GILMORE _made their exit._--THE DOORMAN _enters and announces._]

THE DOORMAN

General Lee!

DAVIS

[_Advances cordially and takes_ LEE'S _hand in both of his._]

Thank you, General. I wish to consult you first on a peculiar matter--of small importance from one point of view--of tremendous importance from another. Two men have been passed into our lines to sound me on the question of Peace. I have just talked with them. I am certain--so is Benjamin--that they come straight from Lincoln though they have no credentials. Benjamin demands their execution--Judge Ould protests. Are they spies?

LEE

Technically, yes--morally, no.

DAVIS

Thank you. Before I decide whether to let these men go with a message to the North, I must ask you one or two questions----

LEE

At your service, sir.

DAVIS

How long can you hold Grant?

LEE

Certainly a year--unless----

DAVIS

Yes?

LEE

Unless Atlanta falls.

DAVIS

And then?

LEE

If General Hood fails to hold Atlanta, Sherman can cut the South in two and my supplies fail. My men are living now on parched corn. If Sherman takes Atlanta, I cannot get the corn.

DAVIS

What is the spirit of your men at this moment, General?

LEE

A more formidable force was never set in motion than the army I command, sir. They are our stark fighters--men who individually or in the mass can be depended on for any feat of arms in the power of mortals to accomplish. I know them from experience. They will blanch at nothing--yet they must have food.

DAVIS

You shall have it. But after one year--then what?

LEE

It's solely a question of man power, sir. I _must_ have more men.

DAVIS

And you suggest?

LEE

That you immediately begin to arm and drill 500,000 negroes for my command.

DAVIS

And you think they would make good soldiers?

LEE

Led by their old masters--they'll fight--to a man.

DAVIS

It would be necessary to give each black volunteer his freedom?

LEE

Of course. I, as you know, freed my own slaves before entering the service of the South. It is one of the ironies of Fate that I am supposed to be fighting for slavery--I who refuse to own a slave and my opponent General Grant is through his wife's estate a slaveholder. Slavery is doomed, sir. It can never survive this tragedy. The Legislature of Virginia came within one vote of freeing her slaves, years ago.

DAVIS

I know. But the great Gulf States and South Carolina with their majority of Negro population will never agree to the arming of half a million slaves.

LEE

And you will allow Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Carolina to defeat a plan necessary to save the life of the Confederacy?

DAVIS

The States are sovereign, General Lee--for this principle we are fighting.

LEE

Then I think it may be time to ask ourselves, heart to heart, the question whether the Confederacy, as organized, does not carry within its own body the seeds of death? The rights of a state must somewhere yield to the supreme power of a nation. The Negro will make a brave soldier, and he can save the South. Will you use him?

DAVIS

I'll consider your suggestion, General, but I can't see it--I can't see it now. I won't detain you longer.

[GENERAL LEE _salutes and exits_--DAVIS _goes to the opposite door--opens it and calls._]

I am ready, gentlemen.

[OULD, BENJAMIN _and_ VAUGHAN _reënter._]

BENJAMIN

You have decided?

DAVIS

Yes.

[_He sits and writes a pass._]

It is probably a bad business for us----

BENJAMIN

There can be no doubt about that, sir----

DAVIS

But it would alienate many of our Northern friends if we held these men. I have decided to let them go. Give them this pass.

[_Hands pass to_ OULD.]

Show them through the hospitals and Libby Prison and conduct them back to General Grant's lines.

OULD

You have acted wisely, sir.

BENJAMIN

[_With deep feeling to_ VAUGHAN.]

He has made exactly the blunder I feared----

VAUGHAN

[_With elation._]

We'll hope for the best, sir! With the twist I'll give the news----

CURTAIN