SCENE. The Ellingham Homestead in the Shenandoah Valley.  Exterior.  Three Top Mountain in the distance.  A corner of the house, with projecting end of veranda.  Low wall extending up from veranda.  A wide opening in the wall, with a low, heavy stone post, with flat top, on each side.  Beyond the wall and opening, a road runs across stage.  At the back of this road, elevation of rock and turf.  This slopes up behind wood wing.  It is level on the top about twelve feet; slopes down to road, and also out behind wood wings.  The level part in the centre rises to about four feet above the stage.  Beyond this elevation the distance is a broad valley, with Three Top Mountain rising on the right.  Foliage appropriate to northern Virginia—­walnut, cottonwood, &c.  Rustic seats and table.  Seat near veranda.  A low rock near the stone post.  Sunset when curtain rises.  As the act proceeds this fades into twilight and then bright moonlight.  The number references for the trumpet signals, in this and the next act, are to the official book, entitled “Cavalry Tactics, United States Army,” published by D. Appleton & Co., N.Y., 1887.  The number references for the Torch Signals, in this act, are to the General Service Code.  This code may be found, with illustrations and instructions, in a book entitled “Signal Tactics,” by Lieutenant Hugh T. Reed, U.S.  Army, published by John Riley & Sons, N.Y., 1880.  At rise of curtain, Trumpet Signal No. 34 or No. 35 is heard very distant. GERTRUDE and MADELINE discovered on elevation up center. GERTRUDE is shading her eyes with her hand and looking off. MADELINE stands a little below her, on the incline, resting her arm about GERTRUDE’S waist, also looking off.

GERTRUDE.  It is a regiment of Union Cavalry.  The Federal troops now have their lines three miles beyond us, and only a month ago the Confederate Army was north of Winchester.  One army or the other has been marching up and down the Shenandoah Valley for three years.  I wonder what the next change will be.  We in Virginia have had more than our share of the war. [Looking off.

MADELINE.  You have, indeed, Gertrude. [Walking down to seat.] And we at home in Washington have pitied you so much.  But everybody says that there will be peace in the Valley after this. [Dropping into seat.

GERTRUDE.  Peace! [Coming down.] That word means something very different to us poor Southerners from what it means to you.

MADELINE.  I know, dear; and we in the North know how you have suffered, too.  We were very glad when General Buckthorn was appointed to the command of the Nineteenth Army Corps, so that Jenny could get permission for herself and me to come and visit you.

GERTRUDE.  The old General will do anything for Jenny, I suppose.

MADELINE.  Yes. [Laughing.] We say in Washington that Jenny is in command of the Nineteenth Army Corps herself.