Silent Civil War Movies
A list of Silent Civil War Movies compiled mostly from the following sources: "The Civil War in Motion Pictures a bibliography of films produced in the United States since 1897" and the American Film Institute's Film Catalog.
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- StarsKathlyn WilliamsThose memorable words had just died upon the lips of the grand old general, as he gave Lieutenant Allen orders to reach Thomas. In order to do this, Allen had to pass through the heart of the enemy's country. Both men realized the excessive danger, and the younger officer salutes and leaves upon his mission. The message delivered, returning, the Lieutenant finds himself in close quarters. He feigns illness and is cared for at the home of Virginia Johnson, the sister of Robert E. Johnson, who is at the front. She unexpectedly receives a message from her brother, saying he will visit them that night. Allen, fearful of recognition even though he is disguised in Confederate uniform, plans his escape, only to be followed and captured. Later in battle Johnson and Allen are wounded and Johnson, feeling the end was near, places a little miniature in the hands of the Union soldier and asks him to find her. He recognizes it as that of Virginia, and the, "the heart of the rebel gray beats close to the stronger one of Union blue."
- DirectorJ. Searle DawleyStarsFrank McGlynn Sr.The highlight of the picture will be the delivery of the Gettysburg Address and the singing of a number of camp-fire songs
- DirectorTheodore WhartonStarsLeopold WhartonThe incidents pictured in this film are founded on fact and relate to William Scott, a young soldier from the State of Vermont. Scott is on guard after a heavy day's march, and being found asleep is placed under arrest. He is tried by court-martial and sentenced to death. Meantime we see President Lincoln in his study at the White House in deep thought, and seeing a vision of the Civil War and the sorrow caused by it. The vision disappears and he reads a letter from Mrs. Scott pleading for the pardon of her son. Deeply affected he lays the letter down and sees another vision, that of the gray-haired mother and a nameless grave. We next see being marched off to the spot where he is to be shot. All is in readiness for the fatal word of command to be given, when through a cloud of dust a coach dashes up attended by outriders. The President steps out and pardons the prisoner, who falls on his knees and blesses him. The next scene is that of a battle with the Union soldiers retreating. The color-bearer falls, but William Scott rushes up, grabs the flag and rallies the Union troops, but amid the dreadful carnage he himself is shot. That night the doctors and ambulances are searching among the dead for the wounded who are still alive. They reach Scott. He is dying. A vision of the President appears before him, giving him a wreath of fame. Scott staggers to his feet, and as the vision fades away, drops dead. As a fitting climax, we see a tableau of President Lincoln taking from a Union and a Confederate color-bearer their respective flags, rolling them together and when they are unrolled displaying the Stars and Stripes.
- DirectorE.H. CalvertStarsLewis StoneMarguerite ClaytonFlorence OberleBasil Breckenridge, a broken old man on the verge of starvation, but concealing it because of his proud southern ancestry, is set upon by young ruffians on the street. The old man becomes infuriated and gives the young leader a shaking. His father, Ald. Connors, the city's political boss, happens along and attacks the old man, who strikes at him with his cane. The sword blade inside falls out and the police arrest him on the charge of assault with intent to kill. Col. Wright, attorney for the friendless, takes his case. It comes up before Judge Andrews. John Andrews, protégé of Boss Connors, has just been made assistant district attorney, and is there to prosecute. The aged defendant sees the scar on the judge's forehead and hears his name. He sees the two as rival captains in the Civil War, the Confederate picking up the wounded Union officer and taking him to his home. He recalls that when he was believed dead the Northerner took his young wife and baby home with him. Both are near him now, the first time he has seen either for decades. His wife sits behind him, his son is prosecuting him. The scar on the judge's forehead is the mark of their secret duel. A sword, awarded Capt. Knighton for gallantry and pawned by the aged defendant the day before is introduced at the trial but the defendant disclaims ownership. Recognition comes on the part of Judge and Mrs. Andrews and in chambers they plead with Connors and their son, but to no avail. The prisoner's head sinks to his breast when the jury returns. He does not rise when bidden. "Your honor," says Col. Wright, after a pause, "The defendant has taken his case to a higher court." Reverently, Judge Andrews and his wife place the historic sword in the still hands of the late defendant as they are the only persons in the crowded courtroom knowing to whom it rightfully belonged.
- StarsElita Proctor OtisIn the home of a Union officer his three children are playing soldier, the oldest, a boy of 12, acting as captain over his two sisters, who are younger. The father is about to leave for the front and is taking leave of his family. The little boy clings to father, begs to be taken along, and is gently but firmly refused. As the husband departs, the wife and children re-enter the cottage. Presently the boy takes his sword and toy drum and, unseen by his mother, leaves the house and goes in the direction taken by his father. The youngster reaches the Union encampment and is being questioned by the general as the father comes up and stands horrified to find his boy there. The little fellow salutes and asks to be made a drummer boy. The father again refuses and orders a soldier to take the boy home. This cannot be done, as the enemy surrounded the camp, and the father is finally obliged to grant the request. The new recruit is equipped with a uniform, given a real drum, and proudly marches off with a scouting party. They have proceeded but a short distance when they are fired upon by the enemy and forced to return to camp. The strength of the enemy is unknown and the general instructs a soldier to secure this information. While the conversation between them is going on the little drummer boy puts on a pair of overalls, takes a market basket on his arm and starts out for the necessary information. While crossing a field, the boy is intercepted by the enemy. They question him, but his apparent innocence saves him and he is allowed to proceed on his way, not until, however, be has counted the soldiers. Returning to the Union camp with the good news, plans are made for an immediate attack. The soldiers, including the little scout, attack the enemy and drive them off, then return to camp, where the little drummer boy is adorned with a medal for his bravery. The trouble over for the time being, the father secures a leave of absence and returns home, taking the little hero with him.
- StarsMargarita Fischer"In 1850 on the shaded hillsides of West Virginia, there lived two boy playmates-companions from childhood. They were wont to be mountaineers, and a little vein of the patriotism crept out here and anon. Eleven years later the little village of Webster was all astir one June day, when a paper was posted on the school house fence calling for volunteers to go to the front. John Mason, the younger, says, 'Ben, we'll fight together.' 'No; my people-my sympathy is there and my first duty is in their defense. Our years of welded friendship is at the parting of the ways.' The two part, one for the South, the other turns to the North, and enlists in the great cause. Two years later they meet at the first battle of Bull Run, the detachment in which John was being taken prisoner by the Confederates. Ben recognizes his former companion and risks his own life to enable him to make his escape back to the Union camp. Overcome with joy at the Southern chivalry, John proffers his hand, but Ben manfully refuses it and turns away. And history best tells us of the terrible struggles of '63 and '65 and the reconstruction period. An elapse of 35 years and we see John Mason at his quiet little home. The war is only a memory and tears come to his eyes as he thinks back and wonders the fate of Ben. He now has a grown son, who, through the influence and war record of his father has become a government surveyor for engineer work. One evening while the father is interested in a game of chess the son comes to him with a letter from the government office telling him of his appointment to an important engineering post, constructing the great dyke in Virginia. Both are pleased, and the son departs. In the course of a few weeks an elderly Southern gentleman, accompanied by his beautiful daughter, Elsie, are viewing the work being so improved, and inquire for the engineer in charge. Young Mason is pointed out and Col. Humphries greets him and introduces Elsie. The impression the two young people make upon one another is met with Col. Humphries' approval and the young engineer is invited to call, not knowing that he is the son of his former enemy. A few months later he receives a letter from his father in Ohio, saying he was going to pay him a visit. Upon his arrival he is introduced to Elsie and her father, and apprised of the fact that they expect to be married. The former companions and enemies recognize each other, and John Mason refuses to continue the interview, and threatens to disown the son if he persists in marrying the daughter of a Southerner, and Col. Humphries forbids the son in his home. Elsie defends the engineer and defies parental hatred; the object of her love receives her in open arms-they are married. An elapse of two years and a baby boy blesses their home. Young Mason, who is about to leave for other locations, writes his first letter to his father since the parting, telling him of the baby, inviting him to come back, and all forgive one another. His arrival, the old spirit of '61 is still there, but waning years mellowed his hatred, and the two old soldiers, the blue and the gray, clasp hands as tears trail down their furrowed cheeks, and Elsie, the baby, and Howard felt a new world had opened up to them."-4 Jun 1910 Film Index
- StarsWilliam CliffordVictoria FordeA romantic rivalry between a Union soldier and a Confederate is is ended when the northerner survives the Battle of Winchester. General Sheridan's ride is re-enacted
- StarsJohn Singleton MosbyHelen Mosby was very happily situated in her southern home, the idolized daughter of her father, and the pet of the younger set. She had never worried her pretty head with any thoughts of politics, so that, one afternoon, as she strolled with her father in the garden, she was immeasurably shocked when a servant handed him a telegram which read: "War is declared; your regiment ordered to Richmond. Report at once, GENERAL LEE." However, she took the shock like a true southerner, and when her cousin, Henry Bowie, appeared, dressed in the uniform of a Confederate lieutenant, she complimented him smilingly on his appearance; then her father joins them, clad in his gray frock coat, sash and sabre, and bids her farewell. Hardly has her father gone, when Arthur Boone, who has long been in love with Helen, enters the garden. Helen rises to greet him, but draws back in horror as she sees him in a Union uniform. Arthur does not notice this, however, and proposes to her, but Helen's answer is a strong negative. "I can never marry a man who fights in the Union army!" Sadly Arthur leaves, bidding her farewell and shaking hands warmly with Henry, who has long been his friend. Four years later a detachment of the Northern army is pushed back by Southern sharpshooters, under Lieutenant Bowie. Arthur Boone is the last one of the Northerners to retreat; he fights until his ammunition is exhausted, and then runs through the woods, with the Southerners bot after him. Lieutenant Bowie, not knowing that it is his old friend, follows close on his heels. Right to the old Mosby mansion Arthur runs, and vaults through the open window. Helen Mosby jumps from the chair she had been occupying and levels a gun, which she recognizes her lover. He tells her of his predicament, and although she is torn between her emotions of love and duty, love finally conquers, and she hides him in a closet, just as Henry Bowie, sabre in hand, comes into the room. He greets his cousin pleasantly and tells her that they believe a Union officer has entered her house. She shakes her head, but allows him to search, which he does thoroughly, even though the very closet where Arthur is hiding, but in prodding the clothes with his sabre, he missed the Union officer, and goes away satisfied that the officer, whoever he was, has made good his escape. Then, the next day, the shoe is on the other foot; Henry Bowie is pursued by Union men, under Arthur Boone. Henry, too, makes for his cousin's house. She hides him, and then steps out onto the porch; as yet, no one is in sight, Rushing back into the room, she hastily dons a Southern uniform that has been in her possession for some time, and then, looking out the window, she sees the Union soldiers surrounding the house. When they have surrounded, Helen, in her man's attire, steals out by a side entrance. They soon discover her, however, and she leads them a merry chase, only to return by a different route to the house, and, gaining on them, reaching the house she tears off the uniform, and when the Union soldiers enter, only a tired little Southern girl stands before them. They demand the prisoner. She protests innocence. Then they arrest her. This is too much for the concealed cousin, and he emerges from his hiding place with a bound, and he, too, is caught in the grasp of the law. Henry is sentenced to be shot. He is guarded by a lone sentry. Helen escapes from her place of imprisonment, and smiling sweetly at the sentry, induces him to look the other way while she has a word with her cousin; she slips him a small piece of wire with which he picks the lock in his fetters. Then Helen goes away and returns in the uniform of a Southern lieutenant. Henry steals away and Helen takes his place. Shortly after the firing squad arrive, then it is discovered that they have the wrong man. When Captain Boone hears of it he orders that they shoot the substitute. Standing erect, they bind her eyes, tie her hands behind her back, and just then, two soldiers enter with Henry. "Let them both be shot!" are the Captain's orders, not noting in his rage that it is his old friend. The guns are leveled. "Ready, aim..." but before the word "Fire!" is given a messenger dashes up and hands a dispatch to Arthur: "The war is over. U.S. GRANT. Commander. U.S.A." Then Arthur commands the firing squad to halt, and as he approaches the prisoners he is violently surprised to see his old friend Henry. Going to him, he takes both his hands: "Thank God, those bullets were not fired!" Henry explains who Helen is. Arthur turns to her in amazement, saluting, she takes off her cap. Then Arthur holds out his arms, and only too willingly does the little southerner enter them, for in union there is strength.
- DirectorFrancis FordStarsFrancis FordMina CunardWilliam A. CrinleyJim, Joe and Pat are all in love with Betty. Joe and Pat enlist in the Union army and leave for the front. Betty promises to give her answer to the three lovers at the end of the war. At the front Pat is given a message to carry through the Confederate lines. In doing so he meets Joe and falls before him in an exhausted condition. Joe, thinking Pat is dead, delivers the message and takes credit for the deed. Pat, upon recovering, is captured by the Confederates and put in Libby prison. After the war he returns north and finds the girl is married to Jim. Joe is hailed as a hero, while Pat comes home in disgrace. Disgusted with life, he becomes a hermit. Years later across the road from the old shack where Pat lives, a large mansion is built. Jim and his wife move into this home. One evening a tramp appears along the roadway and meets Pat, who recognizes him as his old friend Joe, who had betrayed him in the war. Pat forgives and forgets and takes him into his home. Meanwhile Betty is taken very ill and while her husband is away, a servant comes over to the shack and asks help. Pat and Joe go to the mansion, where Betty recognizes them, just before she dies. The story ends with Jim, lonely in the big mansion, going across the shack where Pat and Joe are playing checkers. The three friends are reunited as the scene fades.
- DirectorLawrence B. McGillStarsFritzi BrunetteThomas R. MillsVirginia WestbrookThe girl's father wants her to marry her rich suitor, but she loves the poor one. One evening, both young men are calling on the girl. Her father is all attention to the rich fellow. The girl puts a record into the phonograph and she and her sweetheart sit back in the shadows as "Annie Laurie" is played. The father's face softens; he sees himself a young man courting his sweetheart back in the early sixties. The Civil War breaks: he goes off in a Union uniform, carrying a knot of ribbon from the girl, and the last thing he remembers is her voice singing the old familiar "Annie Laurie." He is wounded and taken to the house of a Southern girl who cares for him and sends for the Northern girl and her father. When they arrive he does not know them, until the girl, inspired by a sudden thought, kneels at his bedside and sings "Annie Laurie" to him. Then he remembers and they are soon in close embrace. At this point in his dream the old man awakens. The phonograph is still playing "Annie Laurie." The young lovers, in their dim corner, are oblivious to all but themselves. Remembering the days of his own romance, the father suggests to the rich suitor that they leave the young pair alone.
- DirectorAllen HolubarStarsPaul ByronHelen LeslieAllen HolubarAn old veteran tells how the Civil War unhappily changed his life. Unfounded jealousy, nurtured while he was in battle, caused him to loose his best friend and his young bride.
- A re-creation of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the trail of John Wilkes Booth. The film ends with the allegorical representation of Lincoln receiving the reward of virtue.
- StarsRiley HatchSherman BainbridgeCliff BaldwinDuring a temporary cessation of hostilities below the Mason-Dixon line, Col. Carlton is granted leave of absence, and accompanied by Lieut. Carney, his daughter's sweetheart, visits his Southern home. There Lieut. Carney is honored by Virginia Carleton, accepting his proposal of marriage. At the expiration of their furlough, the lieutenant and the colonel leave to rejoin their regiment. Strife of war dangerously adjacent prevents the making of a trip by the Carltons to get a new wedding outfit, with the result that the mother unpacks the attic trunk and her own wedding gown undergoes alterations for the happy occasion of her daughter's marriage. Meanwhile, the opposing armies draw nearer and Grant's force is discovered by the Confederates to be in a weak condition. To enable the strategic maneuver of the Confederates taking advantage of this position of the Federals, Lieut. Carney voluntarily assumes the perilous responsibility of slipping through the Federal lines to warn other Confederates of the contemplated attack, likewise securing their reinforcement. This plan of Lieut. Carney's is thwarted at a crucial period by the Federals detecting his effort to get through their lines. Carney's horse is shot and he is compelled to seek safety in flight. The chase ends with Lieut. Carney fleeing to the home of his sweetheart, hotly pursued by the determined Federals, who suspect he hears important dispatches bearing on the hazardous position of their division. When Carney breaks into the house, Virginia and her mother are draping the wedding dress on an improvised "form" beneath which Carney is hidden as the Federals enter. Driven to desperation, Virginia is compelled to play the part of an obliging hostess to gain time. The tired Federals succumb to her charms and she is enabled to gain time to assist Carney in escaping. The officer of the squad becomes intoxicated, and Virginia, with the assistance of Carney and two family slaves, has his uniform changed to that of Carney's, and the Federal, in Confederate uniform, is put on a wagon and sent away in apparent flight, which is detected by the Federals, who give chase. Carney then escapes. With the help of the passport which he finds in the coat of the Federal officer, Carney delivers his message in safety, enabling the Confederates to accomplish their purpose. This advantage is later turned in the opposing army's favor, and the Confederates are forced into the "Hornet's Nest," where lack of water aids in weakening their opposition. Virginia's horse, ridden by Carney, is sent with a note asking for water, and Virginia accomplishes the perilous feat of carrying through the fighting lines of the Federals enough water to enable the hard-pressed Confederates to hold their ground until the Federals, in command of Gen. Grant, decide to abandon trying to gain their place of retreat. Virginia is acclaimed a heroine by the cheering army of Confederates, and she flies, embarrassed, to the eagerly waiting arms of Lieut. Carney.
- DirectorRichard GarrickStarsLynette GriffinFrank WeedMyrtle Stedman"Col. John Roberts, C.S.A., returning to his Virginia home to assume command of the critical situation in that neighborhood, finds that, during his absence, the Yankees have appropriated for their own uses, everhthing eatable on the plantation and that his wife, baby girl, and colored maid, are facing starvation. Mrs. Roberts, weak from hunger, becomes ill and the Colonel sends for a doctor, who prescribes "good, wholesome food, to be taken three times a day." Roberts is called away at this moment, and the prescription falls to the ground unnoticed by all except "Baby Betty." The child, with intuitive understanding of the situation, picks up the paper, and, with a Confederate flag over her shoulder, starts for the Yankee's headquarters, which is near at hand. Unknown to her mother and "Aunt Cleo," the baby makes her way through the northern lines and finds her way into Colonel Howard's camp. That gentleman, big-hearted Yankee that he is, reads the prescription, and, with thoughts of his own dear ones at home, orders one of his men to carry a large basket of provisions through the lines to Betty's home. The following day both armies line up opposite each other at the edge of a nearby clearing to engage in battle. They are about to open fire when suddenly the attention of everyone is arrested by a little figure in white sleeping peacefully in the center of the battlefield. A truce is called and the two commanders ride out to investigate the embarrassing situation. They find that the sleeping child is "Baby Betty," who has unconsciously halted the impending conflict. Realizing that there can be no fighting that day, the commanders agree upon an armistice and each army retires amid cheers for "Baby Betty," the little rebel." Moving Picture World Apr-June 1912 p.1258
- DirectorEdward LeSaintStarsGuy OliverBessie EytonBaby Lillian WadeJim Sherman, a Northerner, living in the South, joins the Federal forces. His heroic wife, Jane, and his baby daughter, Lillian, bid him a sad farewell. The Federal recruits are quartered some miles down the river, and there come tidings to the new soldier from his wife and little daughter, and he returns them a letter, which they open feverishly for news. He encloses a little letter for the child, and she is delighted. Immediately she laboriously starts out to send a letter to her father in reply. Just about this time a lot of Confederate officers, who are making a daring reconnaissance toward the Federal lines, drive into the yard of the Sherman home and take possession of the house. The mother is very much frightened at this invasion, but the officers are gentlemen, and are soon made at home. Lillian quickly makes friends with the men. The business of the officers, however, is urgent, and they soon dismiss the family from the room, get out a war map and as Lillian has returned and is playing on the floor with her doll she is allowed to remain in the room. They set her down from the table, where they have been showing her the map, and while she is apparently innocently playing with her doll, she is all ears, listening to their plans for the capture of the Federal camp, where her father is stationed. This plan is embraced in a message that Col. Mooney places in his hat. Lillian purposely breaks the head of her favorite doll, then shows it tearfully to Col. Sayles, who tells her to take it to her mother to be mended. She exits in presumable great grief. Once out of the room, she rushes joyously to her mother and explains to her what she has heard. The mother realizes the importance of the message, and when she invites the officers to lunch, instructs Lillian to get the note if possible, and make a copy of it. The child follows instructions, replaces the original in the hat that has been left in the front room, and afterwards gives her mother the copy. While the men are still at the table, Jane, the mother, rushes to the stables, secures a mount and quietly rides toward the Yankee lines. As the officers are weary from the hard riding, and wish to give the horses a rest, they take long leisure at the luncheon, but after a while time presses and they go back to the front room. Maj. Mooney, examining his hat and finding his message still there, is unsuspicious and sends the orderly to the stable to get their mounts ready. Meantime, little Lillian uses her wiles with such charm that the officers are loath to leave such pleasant company and resume their hard ride. When the orderly returns from the stable and reports "one horse shy," there is instant commotion. Until now the lady of the house has not been missed. There is a grand rush to the stable and the old hostler is threatened with death if he does not tell them who has taken the horse. He stolidly refuses to give the information, and they return to the house, questioning the child and threatening to cut off her ears unless she tells them where her mother is, but she simply laughs in the faces of the officers. They see questions are useless and as time is passing, decide at once to ride forward. In the meantime, Jane is speeding toward the Yankee camp with the information safe in the sole of her shoe. Eventually she comes to a bridge, where she sees a picket-post that will make her passage impossible. She deserts her horse and, running a distance through the woods, swims the stream a distance above the bridge. She reaches the Yankee camp and is led to headquarters with her news. Instantly there is a commotion in response. The entire camp is up in arms. Jim meets his wife, and is ordered to take personal charge of her. The Union soldiers take the bridge where the picket-post which blocked Jane's path is stationed and quietly advance on the general body, and the Confederates, instead of surprising them as originally planned, are themselves surprised and overcome. The Federal charge is quick and decisive. The Confederates retreat in disorder. The Colonel in command, out of gratitude for the valuable service of Jim's brave wife, gives him a three months' furlough to visit his home, where the Confederate coup was frustrated by the cunning of baby Lillian.
- On the street of a little Tennessee town a mob is attacking Banty Tim, a hunchback negro, with the intent of driving him out of the community. To the rescue of the poor black comes Tilman Joy, a Union soldier. He places himself in front of Tim and commands the mob to fall back. Two or three times the mob press forward, but Tilman demands that they hear his story. It was at the battle of Vicksburg Heights that he, Tilman Joy, was wounded. Presently he saw a crippled form crawling on hands and knees toward him; it was Banty Tim, who in the past had received some kindness at the hands of Joy. Tim raised the body of the helpless soldier upon his back and with the rebel bullets flying all around him reached the Union lines with his burden. The negro hunchback had saved the soldier's life, and as Joy tells the tale to the infuriated mob reaction takes place. They press upon Banty Tim and in turns grasp his black hands and with many expressions of good wishes resolve that he is a man and a brother and henceforth a good citizen of Spunky Point.
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonStarsJulia ArthurEdith StoreyEarle WilliamsBarbara Frietchie's defense of the American flag and the death of a Union soldier in battle bring a tribute from both sides.
- DirectorHerbert BlachéStarsMrs. Thomas WhiffenMary Miles MinterGuy CoombsAn old woman in Frederick, Maryland during the U.S. Civil War displays her American flag in defiance of the armies of Confederate general Thomas J. Jackson. Based on the folk tale that grew from the poem by John Greenleaf Whittier.
- DirectorLambert HillyerStarsFlorence VidorEdmund LoweEmmett KingTwo lovers in a small Maryland town are torn apart by the Civil War: she is loyal to the South while he heads North to join the Federal Army, determined to protect the Union. Eventually his unit arrives in his hometown and he is reunited with his lover, but things aren't the way they used to be.
- One of the brightest examples of true patriotism was exhibited by a woman in a most remarkable manner during the Civil War. The heroine was Barbara Frietchie. It occurred in the town of Frederick, Md., where every household was divided in its sympathies. George Mason, whose mother was a Frietchie, was an ardent Unionist, but his brother William was strong for secession. Virginia Iredale loved George, but her sentiments were opposed to his. This gave William a footing with her which he strove to improve by every means in his power. It was about the time of General Lee's prospective invasion of the North. In accordance with that idea. General Stonewall Jackson had turned the faces of his men northward. Everywhere in Maryland he was acclaimed with joy, though not so vociferously as further south. Jackson met with no hostile demonstrations, though thousands were so inclined. In the big town of Frederick, there was not one protest against the Confederate invasion, but stay! there was one, a dear old lady of eighty years, whose great big loyal heart led her to do an act of heroism that was sublime! Jackson, at the head of his hosts, entering Frederick that balmy September day, beholds the starry flag floating from a modest brick dwelling. Others have seen it, too. A score of muskets belch forth as one shot and the Stars and Stripes hang by a cord from the shattered flagpole. In a flash the window is raised, framing therein an aged but sweet face. A pair of feeble hands grasp the broken pole and once more the Stars and Stripes defiantly flutter. Then are uttered those well-remembered words: "Shoot if you must, this old gray head, but spare your country's flag." The butts of a hundred muskets leap to the shoulders of the Gray Coats, but the next instant the stentorian tones of brave General Jackson ring out: "Attention! Who touches a hair of yon gray head dies the death of a dog!" Then with a salute, he and his men marched on. Barbara Frietchie belonged to history. This glorious act decided Virginia Iredale as to her course in love and politics. Virginia thought she loved her Southland more than the Union, but when she saw the old flag waving in Aunt Barbara's hand, she knew at once where her real sympathies were, and as a result of this decision, her fair head found a resting place on the broad and manly bosom of George Mason.
- We are upon the site of some of the greatest and bloodiest battles of the Civil War. Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain will live as long as the history of the war endures. Views of many famous spots and of the winding Tennessee River make a most interesting picture.
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonLaurence TrimbleStarsRalph InceMaurice CostelloJulia Swayne GordonThis patriotic and historic picture portrays the writing of the famous national hymn by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe. In the early part of the Civil War President Lincoln was very much discouraged at the lack of enthusiasm and the tardiness with which the people answered the call for volunteers to join the army. Mrs. Howe, in talking the matter over with the president, become very much impressed with the need of arousing the people to a fuller appreciation of the cause of the North and the maintenance of the Republic. The matter weighed so much upon her mind she could think of little else; during her slumbers she was so obsessed with her theme that one night in her sleep she arose from her bed and penned these immortal words: "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword. His truth is marching on. I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps. His day is marching on. I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel; 'As you deal with my contemners so with you my grace shall deal; Let the hero born of woman crush the serpent with his heel, Since God is marching on.' He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; Oh! Be swift my soul, so answer Him! Be jubilant my feet! Our God is marching on. In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea; With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men holy let us die to make men free, While God is marching on." This poem was published broadcast throughout the North, immediately the people became enthused with the noble cause of freedom; recruits poured into the stations and enrolled their names as volunteers. President Lincoln expressed his own and the nation's gratitude to Julia Ward How for sounding the key note of the battle cry of freedom. In addition to showing the reasons for and the conditions under which the poem was written, this film illustrates the meaning of the different stanzas of this poem in the allegorical tableaux and retrospect visions of the world from the earliest ages, making clear and fully interpreting the spirit which breathed patriotic fervor into the hearts of the people throughout the North, leading them to victory and the preservation of the Union.
- DirectorLaurence TrimbleStarsJulia Swayne GordonRalph InceMary MauriceJulie Ward Howe is inspired to write the Battle Hymn of the Republic by visions of the great movement of history and the hope that Lincoln will free the slaves. The song causes a Northern mother to relent and allow her son to go to war.
- DirectorKenean BuelGeorge MelfordStarsGuy CoombsAnna Q. NilssonHal ClementsQuite unintentionally, Agatha Elton, who resides in a small Pennsylvania village, permits two men to fall in love with her. Ralph Covington, an honest young farmer, pays ardent court and wins her promise. Meanwhile she has given her portrait to Rev. Garter Chase and the youthful clergyman experiences great difficulty in concentrating his thoughts upon the preparation of his sermons. At the Sunday services Agatha sings in the choir and her earnest efforts to help Rev. Chase in his work bring them constantly together. One afternoon the minister, finding that he has no peace of mind, comes to the conclusion that he can rise to greater accomplishments in the community if Agatha becomes his wife. He goes to her cottage to propose. There he finds her in conversation with Covington and he realizes that a stronger bond than that of friendship exists between the couple. He returns to his study, broken in spirit. The following Sunday, the services are interrupted when a messenger brings word that Fort Sumter has been fired upon. A company is recruited and Covington, commissioned a captain, leaves for the front. Believing that Agatha is sorrowing for Covington, the minister seeks to comfort her and in an unguarded moment he declares his own love. As the realization of his error comes over him, he begs forgiveness and returns home, where he has a struggle with his conscience. The following Sunday Rev. Chase informs his congregation that he has decided to answer his country's call and in a few days he joins Capt. Covington at the front, just as a terrific battle is taking place. The ammunition is exhausted and Covington, returning with a new supply, is thrown to the ground, badly wounded by an exploding shell. His wagon takes fire and Chase, seeing the affair from the lines, rushes to his assistance. Chase drags Covington to a place of safety as the burning wagon, laden with powder, is hurled into splinters by the explosion. A bayonet charge follows and the Federals rout the enemy. When the victorious Federals camp near a river, Virginia Merrill, a southern girl with northern sympathies, finds herself in the midst of hostilities. Capt. Covington, with a detachment of troops, crosses the river and Virginia overhears a Confederate plot to attack the camp while the southerners have the advantage in numbers. She sets forth to overtake Covington and finding he has crossed the river, the girl secures a horse and fords the stream under a rain of bullets from the Confederates who have discovered her flight. Meanwhile, the camp is attacked and Chase is wounded. The Confederates leave to ambuscade Covington's party, which is returning, and the captain, severely injured, is about to drown during the battle at the ford, when Virginia sees his danger and, swimming out to him, she brings the officer to the shore. Some time later, while Chase and Covington are convalescing in the hospital, they exchange confidences. Covington announces that the brave southern girl has won his heart, and Chase acknowledges his love for Agatha. A letter from the northern girl, in which she informs Covington of her love for the minister, opens the way. Covington replies that he is bringing her all the happiness in the world and she is unable to comprehend his meaning until he arrives in the village and brings the clergyman to her side.
- DirectorFrancis FordStarsWilliam CliffordVictoria FordeGrace CunardAt the time the play opens the .Southern army is harassing the Unionists. The Northern spy force is augmented and Grace, whose brother, Harry, is already in the secret service, joins it. She meets Harry and together they take a coach to the Southern town they have selected to spy upon. A prominent colonel in the Southern army deals with dispatches, and it is this man that Grace investigates while Harry awaits events. The colonel has a sweetheart, May, and Grace manages to got an introduction to her at a ball by purposely tearing her dress and appealing to May for help. This leads to an acquaintance with the Colonel, and she practices all her woman's wiles and fascinations upon him and he is impressed with her. Grace learns that important dispatches are to be forwarded and plots to get into the colonel's house. She manages matters cleverly, and contrives to have her carriage break down before his residence. The colonel endeavors to get rid of her, but she stalls him off until the arrival of May, when he has to hide her in the next room. May comes to warn him about Grace, for she is suspicious and her woman's intuition tells her that Grace is there for no good. The colonel tries to defend Grace, who gets a chance to change the dispatches for false ones, but drops a letter by mistake, and escapes by way of the window, giving the dispatches to her brother. May sees the letter of commendation from the North. A servant has seen Harry. The colonel rides off after him. He catches up with him as they ride into the battlefield, and in a hand-to-hand duel Harry is killed by the colonel, who is himself mortally wounded by a stray bullet. Grace returns to Washington and receives compliments and rewards. She returns to her home with a clouded conscience, and while sitting looking at her reward, the specters of Harry and the colonel appear and beckon her. She is forced to go with them, and together they appear on the battlefield and they show her their own bodies, and slowly they fade away and their specters enter their dead bodies. She comes to and staggers to the stairs to get assistance. She faints and falls down the stairway and dies.