Now I wish they were all at home attending to their own business, and leaving us to do the same. They also are my countrymen. General, there is a good old book which says, "Love your enemies." What a cruel thing is war; to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors and to devastate the fair face of the beautiful world. STARKE--But think of our men who have laid down their lives so bravely. LEE--The loss of our gallant officers and men throughout the army causes me to weep tears of blood and to wish that I might never hear the sound of a gun again. STARKE--I am sorry to have worried you General, you are right, good day! (_Salutes and exit. Enter MAJOR W. H. FITZHUGH LEE._) W. H. F. LEE--Father! LEE--Fitzhugh, how good it is to see you. You don't know how much I have missed you and your mother and your brothers and sisters. W. H. F. LEE--Won't it be wonderful when the war will be over and we can all be together again. LEE--God grant that it may be so! W. H. F. LEE--I can't stay any longer, Father. I just came in to see you a moment before starting. I must be about my duty. LEE--I know that wherever you may be placed, you will do your duty. That is all the pleasure, all the comfort, all the glory we can enjoy in this world. Duty is the sublimest word in the language. There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity of principles. (_They salute._) SCENE II _Battlefield, the Southern Lines. Shells falling all around._ Characters General Lee General Gordon General Gracie General Stuart Northern Prisoners Soldiers (_Enter squad of Soldiers with three Northern prisoners. One without a cap._) LEE--(_Addressing prisoner without cap._) Where is your cap? Did the Rebels shoot it off? PRISONER--(_Saluting._) No, General, but one of them took it off. LEE--(_Noticing a blue cap on one of the Confederate soldiers._) Give him back his cap, even if your own is ragged. Men, you had better go farther to the rear, they are firing up here, and you are exposing yourselves. (_Exeunt soldiers and prisoners._) (_Enter General Gracie who places himself directly in front of General Lee in the direction of the firing._) LEE--Why General Gracie, you will certainly be killed. GRACIE--It is better, General, that I should be killed than you. When you go to the rear, I will. (_Enter General Gordon with company of men._) GORDON--General Lee, this is no place for you. Do go to the rear. These are Virginians and Georgians, sir--men who have never failed--and they will not fail now--Will you boys? Is it necessary for General Lee to lead this charge. SOLDIERS--No! no! General Lee to the rear. General Lee to the rear! We will drive them back, if General Lee will only go to the rear.