The DuFont Company of Wilmington, Delaware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry, presents the cavalcade of America. Tonight's star, Lee Bowman. Our DuFont cavalcade, A Mockingbird Sang, starring Lee Bowman as Beasley Nicholl, begins in 1863 during the war between the states. In a Confederate military hospital in Georgia not far from Chattanooga, a wounded lieutenant is dictating a report to his superior officer. September 15th, 1863. To General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Sir, the following is the true and complete account of my mission behind enemy lines at Chattanooga. On the morning of the 10th, while in Bivouac with the 15th Corps at Missionary Ridge, I proceeded under special orders to your quarters at Chattanooga to obtain the details of my assignment. Lieutenant Beasley Nicholl reporting to General Forrest for a special order, sir. At ease, lieutenant. Sit down. Thank you, sir. Rag was right. You do talk like a Yankee. Me no offense, of course. Not at all, sir. You see, I attended Princeton and I was an actor in civilian life. An actor? It may come in handy on this mission I've got for you. What kind of play acting did you do? All kinds, mostly Shakespearean roles. I was with Edwin Forrest's company. Edwin Forrest? Why, he's my first cousin. Really, sir? Strange he never mentioned having a general for a kinsman. That's Ed Forrest for you. Always did resent Sharon the limelight. Well, to the point. Lieutenant, here are your orders. You're to spend two or three months in Chattanooga. Chatt... Chattanooga? Well, I thought... You thought right. By the time you get there, Chattanooga will be Yankee territory. That's why you'll be wearing a blue uniform. A Yankee uniform? Just so. You'll be carrying the credentials of a Captain John Curry, an emissary from General Graham. I see. And when do I start for Chattanooga? Tonight. On foot. You'll be met at Walden's Ridge by Lieutenant Crockett and the Sergeant Goforth. They'll accompany you into Chattanooga. Will they be in Yankee uniforms, too? Yes, but so will several thousand other soldiers in that territory, so don't make any mistakes. Here, here are their photographs. Study them. Memorize their features. And after I get there, General? Well, of course you might go to General Rosecrans and ask him if he's got anything new on his mind. If he has, get me word. Mm-hmm. Do you happen to know, sir, if Yankee generals make a habit of telling military secrets to any lieutenant that comes along in a blue uniform? If that lieutenant listens at the right keyholes. Yes, sir. I see what you mean, sir. And what then? Just keep your ears pointed and your eyes squinted and get me word what happens before it happens. Do I make myself clear? Oh, yes. Yes, sir. You may not get out alive, you know. If it be not now, yet will come the readiness is all. Eh? What's that? Shakespeare. Oh, yes. Very apt. Yes, sir. Well, goodbye, Lieutenant. Good luck. At nightfall, having secured my credentials from secret intelligence, I set out upon my journey wearing the uniform of a captain in the Union Army. There was a full moon and the weather was mild. After crossing Walden's Ridge, I paused for a few moments and lit up my pipe. Then I heard... Who's there? Well, a mockingbird. Me thinks it was the nightingale and not the lark. Nightly, she sings on yon palm granite tree. Awake, sweet Juliet and... All right, Sergeant, grab him. Yep. Hey, what? I'm not against your rib, soldier. One move and you're dead. Now go on, drop the rifle. Now what? Take it, Sergeant. Now sit over on that log and let me have a look at you. Well, Lieutenant, what do you see? I see a Yankee that gives up easy. What's so funny? You're taking me for a Yankee. Now, I'd never have taken you for a Yankee. Even if you are wearing a blue uniform, thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet or a hat or a cloak is nothing to a man. It's him. They said he'd be spying Shakespeare. Are you quite sure that was Shakespeare, Sergeant? That's what it sounded like to me. And what did it sound like to you, Lieutenant Crockett? My apologies, Lieutenant Nicholl. But we can't be too careful, you know. I agree. Then you won't take offense if I ask to see your papers, Lieutenant Nicholl. Captain Curry. Hmm? I am one, Captain John Curry of the Provo Marshal's office, carrying a message from General Grant to the Union Commander of Chattanooga, General Rose Grant. Here's the dispatch which identifies me. Captain John Curry. What? Let's see. Where'd you get this? It's signed by Grant himself. So it is. You see, General Grant made a few mistakes in grammar when he wrote the dispatch, so I kind of fixed it up a little to deliver to General Rose Grant. So you're a forger as well as an actor, Lieutenant Nicholl. The name is Captain Curry, don't forget that. Sorry. And I brought along some fine Yankee names and credentials for you and Sergeant Goforth too. You better Christmas now so we can get used to them. All right. You're Lieutenant McClure and he's Corporal Moon. All right. Corporal? I'm a sergeant, yeah? In the Confederate Army. In the Union Army, you're demoted. You're Corporal Moon. Why, you've been up from Lieutenant to Captain, that's not fair. Oh, maybe you'd rather do the talking when we get to General Rose Grant's headquarters. Oh, not me. I can't talk Yankee talk. Well then, get the boat ready, Corporal. We will proceed to Chattanooga immediately. Captain Curry? Yes, sir? General Rose Grant will see you immediately. This way. Thank you, sir. Captain Curry reporting on special mission for General Grant, sir. At ease, Captain. What are your orders? My orders are to deliver this message into your hands. Colonel Wilder? Yes, sir? Take this and examine the paper in handwriting. Yes, sir. Well, you've traveled a long distance, Captain. Yes, sir. By what route did you come? The most direct possible, sir. Have you been with the Union forces long, Captain? Curry. Two years, sir. Where did you enlist? Pennsylvania, sir. Well, I won't keep you any longer, Captain. You must be very tired. Thank you, sir. Good night. Good night, Captain. One moment, Captain. Yes, sir? About this dispatch from General Grant, if you are no doubt aware, a duplicate message was sent. Are you acquainted with the Baron? Why, no, Colonel. I, uh, I was not told the message was to be sent in duplicate. My other messenger hasn't reached here yet. Oh? Well, I, I'm sure he'll show up, sir. I trust he will. Otherwise, we won't be able to honor your credentials. Well, then I'd say he certainly better show up, sir. That's exactly. And I suggest you stick close to your quarters, Captain. Seems there are some spies in town and they're wearing blue uniforms. Spies? In uniform? That's a novel idea. Not so very novel, but very dangerous for the spies. Oh, at the beginning of the war, it was comparatively easy. But now we have ways of checking on anyone in a matter of hours. And how do you deal with them? Hang them in a matter of minutes. If it be not now, yet will come the readiness is all. What's that, Captain? Nothing, just a quotation. Good night, Colonel. Good luck, Captain. That evening, I rejoined Crockett and go forth at Mrs. Whiteside's boarding house where we'd been quartered on arrival in Chattanooga. And after informing them of my interview with General Rosecrans, we discussed our strategy. Whatever we do, we got to do it fast. Now, that courier with the duplicate message from Grant's headquarters may arrive tonight. He's going to arrive tonight. For the man. What do you mean? Don't worry about not being able to talk, Yankee talk. Just say you're a loyal Tennessean. That won't even be a lie. But the message, you gave the only copy to General Rosecrans. I'm an actor, remember? I know it by heart. I'll make a copy. That still won't prevent the other courier coming. No, but they'll have to decide which is the imposter. That'll take time, and time is what we need. I don't want her to spend it in prison. Hey, look, why don't we... Boys, where are you? Right, that's old lady. In here, Mrs. Whiteside. Oh, here you are. Something just about ready. Are you rooming in? Just fine, ma'am. And you must be Captain Curry. Yes, Mrs. Whiteside. How do you do? Well, I could swear I'd seen you somewhere before, Captain. Ever spend any time in Virginia? No, I... I'm afraid not. Really? Must have been an actor and some play other that looked like you. Or maybe it's just your way of talking. Cultivated like. Thank you. Well, I must get back to my kitchen. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. I've got to go. much less likely. Well he used to visit relatives in the south didn't you corporal. Oh yeah sure. Really if you'll excuse me I'll call you when it's ready. Well what you make of that. Captain Curry and don't forget your own name corporal moon oh sorry. You're right though she's suspicious. How much talking to her as she did most of the talking what about the theater she's hit on the subject of plays and actors that's bad you know suppose she might have seen you act in the Edwin Forest Company sometimes well we'll soon find out in the mean time I was. Somebody to do or sound real military to I bet you know no way but this is why I'd answer. Who is it. Oh. I don't like you don't need to knock the door down on common sense. Come on we'd better hide in this closet just in case. We're going to the problem I was man they bought it from General Rose crash they kept in current custody. He ain't here we have all the search the house man was his room right at the top of the stage just go on. On. The. One of. The. I. You can come out now they've gone up to get out of here fast they'll be a few minutes ran second year old you better spend those minutes planning what you're going to do what's your interest in us Mrs Whiteside my husband and two boys are wearing gray uniforms if I help you I have them we need all the help we can get them to bed you're not an actor but I am an actor I thought you were now listen to me there's a copy of actors here in town right now my niece is a leading lady she might fix it so you could hide out with a theater company to this problem. What about my friends here what are their chances of getting back across the line not a chance on. Well then there's only one way what the more s to and brazen it out I mean listen crack it you tell them you were the courier sent with a duplicate message from General Grant well what happened to the message is no time to fix one up now I'll tell them you lost it you were waylaid by rebel scouts you and you wouldn't go forth overpowered them but they got away with the dispatch those feds never will believe you got to make them believe it son and your niece Mrs Whiteside what's her name Hunter Cragwell just go to the theater sneak into a dressing room wait tell her I sent you they're coming downstairs now you better go good luck Nicole if we don't see each other again I mean I mean if we should fail we fail but screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail Music You are listening to the DuPont cavalcade of America starring Lee Bowman in A Mockingbird Sang sponsored by the DuPont Company makers of better things for better living through chemistry the 85,000 men and women of the DuPont Company extend to you the season's greetings and best wishes for a happy new year as one of America's chemical manufacturers the DuPont Company will continue in 1951 and the years ahead to devote its efforts to producing the vital materials required by the nation and to serve you with DuPont products that bring you better things for better living through chemistry the DuPont cavalcade continues starring Lee Bowman as lieutenant Beasley Nichol in A Mockingbird Sang. Nichol is reporting to his Confederate commander General Forrest he is masquerading as a captain Curry of the Union Army behind enemy lines in occupied Chattanooga it was a risky plan but we had no alternative if my fellow spies Crockett and go forth could keep up the masquerade of our mission and the questioning by General Rose Kranz's Union intelligence officers the worst that could happen to them would be loss of their rank in the Union Army my case was a little different I stood to lose my rank too along with my life by zigzagging through back alleys I managed to reach the theater without being seen I gave the doorman a Yankee silver dollar and he admitted me to the leading lady's dressing room I didn't have to wait very long well who are you how did you get in here the usual way your aunt sent me I see are you in trouble the Provo Marshals men are looking for me but for seems my uniform is the wrong color you seem very cavalier about it don't you know they hang people for that they can also hang lady spies if they take a notion to what did my aunt tell you about me she would know what to do if you're looking for a place to hide out for spell I think that's what your aunt had in mind but I'd rather not but you let me explain I'm an actor or was before the war that's why I was chosen for this assignment and what exactly is your assignment to find out when and if General Rose Kranz intends to attack our positions in Georgia and how he plans to commit his troops that's quite an assignment now it's worth any risk if I could only get back to Rose Kranz's quarters how did you get there the first time our scouts intercepted a courier from General Grant I came in his place with an altered message of course what our Confederate intelligence failed to find out was that all such messages are now sent in duplicate and the other courier has arrived that I don't know even if he has it would be a question of his word against mine that is if I could get there with a duplicate of my message but how can you a little grease paint some false whiskers might do the trick I've played dual roles before you may be a good actor but you're not that good yes I know but I've got to do something you see I'm not alone on this assignment I have two men working with me have they been arrested they've been taken in for questioning but they're insisting their Union couriers their story is that they were bringing the duplicate message but were waylaid by rebel scouts and lost it I see and now you plan to appear in false whiskers claiming to be a certain Union captain who recaptured the lost dispatch something like that it won't work no have you a better idea yes let me take the dispatch to Rosecrum I I couldn't let you take a risk like that besides what kind of story could you tell them that I met this captain X what is his name he's using the name of a Union courier captured by our scouts lieutenant McClure all right how does this sound I met lieutenant McClure plied him with champagne he became careless and left his dispatch behind he could be court-martial for that it's better than being hanged as a spy and what do I do go and give yourself up but I mean you heard they were looking for you and here you are the soul of innocence I might work do you realize the risk you'd be taking I think I can manage it you see Colonel Wilder general Rosencrantz's aid is a great enthusiast of the theater he's been to see our play three times I'm sure he'll be understanding miss Craigwell I I'm not often at a loss for words but tell me afterwards when the hurly-burly is done when the battles lost and won it and we'll win it we must win this cause there now miss Craigwell don't take on so but but Colonel Wilder when I heard that that poor lieutenant McClure it arrested no not arrested them just brought in for interrogation oh then I can see him oh well that'll be a little irregular but but you could arrange it well alone I mean you see the reason for the whole thing is that he didn't want to implicate me I don't understand that well we met quite by chance I had no idea he was here on an important mission you see he came to my dressing room and well I didn't notice this until I returned from the theater tonight it must have dropped out of his coat yeah let me see that is it important miss Craigwell the whole outcome of the war may depend on this document oh but I'm sure he didn't know that is there no way to save him why there's got to be it wasn't really negligence just a natural human failing oh oh Colonel you don't know what it would mean to me yes well you just leave it to me miss Craigwell I'll arrange everything you Captain Curry reporting to General Rose Grant sir I understand the general wish to see me yes indeed we've had the devil's own time locating you captain where have you been I went to the theater sir oh you did and afterwards well I had no idea you were looking for me sir I'm sorry well you should have left word at your billet well then it was something important of the first importance the other messenger from General Grant has arrived oh yes Colonel Wilder has put grave doubts in my mind certain inconsistencies inconsistencies Colonel Wilder yes General France bring that courier in I want these two men to confront each other yes sir this way Captain Curry this man who brought the duplicate of your message from General Grant is here and you happen to recognize him McClure you're safe yes sir Captain by General Rose grants I I can't tell you what this moment means to me I I had no idea my old friend Lieutenant McClure was assigned to this mission where it's all been rather confusing but it seems to be straightened out now sir you'll never know how grateful captains I should be grateful to you to me sir yes in fact I'm I'm so pleased with your work that I'm going to take you into my confidence you see I've been most discouraged late over the state of our communications but your prompt and successful delivery of General Grant's message has convinced me that we can begin our offensive against the rebel forces in Georgia and we will as soon as General Hooker arrives with the 16th and 17th Corps from Virginia well that's splendid news sir yes indeed and if all goes well Thomas will engage the rebel center at Lookout Mountain I expect that will be no later than the 19th of this month and with that General Forrest I will close this report I regret that I cannot deliver it in person Rosa Kranz inadvertently gave me the information you wanted and I was able to get word to you however as I rode out a Yankee sentry stopped me and in the ensuing argument several shots were exchanged I am sorry that I was wounded and hospitalized and I'm even sorrier I couldn't stop to bury the Yankee sentry you lieutenant nickel yes general Forrest is here to see you sir well general Forrest here at the hospital good let him come in yes sir come in sir well general Forrest it's awfully good to see you sir it's good to see you lieutenant no no lie back lad rest how's your wound oh it's not so deep as it well not so wide as a church door but tis enough twill sir hmm how goes the war general well the Yankees attacked the Chigamoga thanks to the message you got to me we were ready for was it a great battle sir a terrible battle and we whip the Yankees bad but only God knows what it really will mean or amount to Confederate brains like the Yankees but they'll look us in the end because there are more of them is that what you're trying to say maybe so there's a line in a play I once appeared in with Edwin Forrest general it seems to sum this whole war up it goes I heard so and was armed for it here I came but let us make noble use of this great ruin those are fine words to remember son fine words let us make noble use of this great ruin that's for you to do son life does go on doesn't yes sir and what we fought for honor virtue those things will go on too sir they will not die not only in our own time but in the years that lie ahead our thanks to Lee Bowman and the Cavalcade players for tonight's story our star will return in a moment and now once again here is our star Lee Bowman with a message from the American Heritage Foundation with the conflict between the principles of liberty and of domination by force breaking into the open again the peoples of the world are watching the United States as never before they wish to know whether free government is vigorous enough to cope with the tremendous issues and challenges of our time remember our government can only be as strong and effective as we are ourselves so in the future attend conscientiously to your duties of citizenship develop a keen and active interest in your government vote seriously with purpose and resolution and stand by to do whatever is asked in what has become our struggle for survival tonight's duplicated was written by Robert Tolman and was adapted from the novel the mockingbird saying a chickamaga by Alfred Leland crab published by the Bob's Merrill Publishing Company music was composed by Arden Cornwell and conducted by Donald Borey's the program is directed by John Zoller this is Frank Gallup speaking the DuPont Cavalcade of America comes to you from the Velasco Theatre in New York and is sponsored by the DuPont Company of Wilmington Delaware makers of better things for better living through chemistry
