[Scene: a well-furnished drawing room in a fancy Washington D.C. home, July 16, 1861.]
MANFRED [Excitedly.] Well, the war with the Confederates has finally begun! We are
determined to march to Richmond, and we will certainly overcome those rebels before the
month has ended. Our victory will be swift, and the rebels will learn that they should not
5 have unleashed Pandora's box with their traitorous ways.
JENNY [Distressed.] I believe that the war had already started in April, when the
Confederate soldiers fired boldly on Fort Sumter. Surely that was an easy victory for them,
and thankfully no one was killed on either side. But with all the volunteers President
Lincoln gathered, why would the Confederate forces try to attack us now? I have heard
10 officials say that our display of strength would frighten the Confederates into submission.
[Pausing briefly in thought.] I am anxious about beginning a war; surely, many people will
be harmed by such a serious act.
MANFRED [With a knowing smile.] I believe, sister, that you are less worried about war
in general than about the safety of your own dear brother. Do not waste a moment worrying
15 on my account; we will reward those Southern soldiers with a hearty beating, bring the
black sheep back into the Union, and be at restful, even boring, peace again before you
notice I am gone. By fighting, we will show our strength and our well-deserved confidence
because we are battling on the proper side.
JENNY When must you leave?
20 MANFRED I came to say farewell, dear sister, as we march as soon as we are gathered.
[Manfred walks over to the window and looks out.] Look at all the fine and fancy carriages
filled with townspeople, determined to travel the road with our troops. What a stirring
show of public support!
JENNY [Joining him at the window.] What can they be thinking of, to so merrily follow
25 troops into battle?
MANFRED They are thinking that the battle will offer rewarding entertainment. They are
thinking they will see our troops easily march to victory, just as I am thinking.
[Scene: July 21, 1861, along the Bull Run River, near Manassas Junction; there is a mass
of confusion, with sightseers grabbing baskets and jumping into carriages; soldiers running
toward the road heading back to Washington, and many soldiers dead and dying on the
battlefield.]
JENNY [Totally distraught, staring toward the field.] Father, where is Manfred? Can you
see Manfred anywhere on the battlefield?
MR. BENJAMIN [Demandingly.] Manfred will have to take care of himself. Sit down and
get settled now, quickly as you can. The road is already filled to overflowing with panicky
people.
JENNY Father, this is the most horrifying experience of my life. Why did we come? Why
did so many people come, to picnic at a battle?
MR. BENJAMIN [Squarely facing Jenny.] Look at the growing hordes of Confederate
soldiers, advancing so quickly. Our troops are fleeing off the field like bats from hell,
hurrying back toward Washington, dropping their goods and guns so that they can run even
faster.
JENNY I do not think they are cowards, Father. Who would stand at such a show of force?
MR. BENJAMIN We must go. We can talk later. Before long, the Confederates will be
chasing us back to Washington, and who could imagine what might happen if they were to
apprehend us?
JENNY I knew we should not have come!
MR. BENJAMIN Yes, I see that now.
JENNY [Solemnly.] I hope that Manfred makes it home safely. I hope... but I am not at all
certain.
using this context write me a 3 sentence critical idea
1 answer
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