History Plays for the Grammar Grades

ACT I.

INTRODUCTION:

Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, February 12, 1809. His parents were very poor. When he was seven years old his parents moved to Indiana. (He educated himself. Whenever he came in from work he read a book. He read the Bible, Æsop's Fables, Robinson Crusoe and other books). He loved his mother very dearly. She died when he was very young. Her last words to him were: "Try to live as I have taught you and to love your Heavenly Father."

Many years after he said, "All I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

The first act will be Abraham Lincoln and John Hanks coming in from work.

Hanks: Gee, I am tired, aren't you?

Lincoln: Yes. (Goes to cupboard, takes bread to eat, picks up book and begins to read).

Hanks: (Gets bread and lies down). What you reading?

Lincoln: O, a story of George Washington.

Hanks: Tell us about him.

Lincoln: After a while.

Hanks: All you do is to read and cipher anyway. I am going to take a nap.

End of Act I.

ACT II.

INTRODUCTION:

Abraham Lincoln went on a flat boat down the Mississippi. The boat was laden with supplies to sell at New Orleans. While in New Orleans Lincoln visited a slave auction. After having seen this auction, Lincoln was very much more opposed to slavery.

The next act will be Abraham Lincoln at the Slave auction. (Auctioneer and slaves. Sells several slaves. Class bid and carry on auction, etc.)

(At end of auction, auctioneer says:)

Auctioneer: Rest of these slaves to be sold tomorrow. Gentlemen be sure to come.

(Lincoln and Hanks talk.)

Hanks: Well, well. Abe Lincoln what do you think of that?

Lincoln: I think it is terrible. If I ever get a chance to hit that thing, I'll hit it and I'll hit it hard.

Hanks: I don't blame you.

End of Act II.

INTRODUCTION:

Ulysses S. Grant was born in Ohio, April 27, 1822. His father was a tanner. He was brought up for farm work. Later went to West Point from where he graduated in 1843. He distinguished himself in the Mexican War. He resigned from the army in 1854, tried various kinds of business in St. Louis and Galena, Illinois. On the day after the fall of Sumter, Grant made up his mind to return to the army. In August 1861 he became a brigadier general. From 1861 to 1863 his name was connected with most of the successful operations in the West, till Lincoln said of him, "I can't spare this man. He fights." His greatest characteristic was his indomitable grit.

The first act will be Grant sending his answer to General Buckner at the capture of Fort Donelson.

ACT I.

(Grant at desk, writing and looking over maps. Men at wall looking over maps. Officer speaks to General Grant.)

Officer: Two soldiers from General Buckner await outside, General Grant.

Grant: Show them in.

(Enter soldiers with Union man. Soldier salutes).

Soldier: General Grant, General Buckner wishes to know on what terms you will consider the surrender of Fort Donelson.

Grant: No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.

Soldier: Your answer will be given to General Buckner. Good bye, General Grant. (Salute).

Grant: (Salute). Goodbye.

INTRODUCTION:

Robert E. Lee was born in 1807, of an old aristocratic Virginia family; he graduated from West Point (1829) and spent thirty-two years in the regular army; he distinguished himself in the Mexican War.

Just before the Civil War broke out, he wrote to a friend: "If the Union is dissolved and the Government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people, and, save in defense, will draw my sword no more."

A few days after the fall of Fort Sumter, he was offered the command of the United States Army and declined it. He resigned and after Virginia seceded, accepted a Confederate commission. He took command of the Army of Northern Virginia June 1, 1862. He had great power over men and his soldiers had perfect confidence in "Uncle Robert."

ACT II.

INTRODUCTION:

The surrender of Appomattox Court House. Salute. Lee and his staff in room. Lee in full dress uniform. Grant enters with his staff. Grant shakes hands with Lee. Grant dressed in rough clothes.

Grant: How do you do, General Lee. We have not met since the Mexican War. Strange is it not?

Lee: (Salute). How do you do, General Grant. No we have missed meeting. I have sent for you today, General Grant, to ask you the terms of a surrender.

Grant: The terms are the same as those sent you a few days ago, General Lee. All of Northern Virginia must lay down their arms and take up the Stars and Stripes.

Lee: Write them and I will sign.

Union Soldier Speaks to Officer with Lee: Why is it that you and your General are in full dress uniform?

Officer: When Sherman came through we saved our best suit and this is all we have.

(Grant writes terms and reads to General Lee.)

The Terms: All the Army of Northern Virginia must lay down their arms and take up the Stars and Stripes. The men are to be allowed to return to their homes and are not to be disturbed by the United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they reside. They are to be allowed to take their horses home to do the spring plowing.

Lee: You have been generous, General Grant. (Offers sword to Grant. Grant takes it and returns it with this remark):

Grant: A brave man should not be separated from his sword. I tender it back to you.

INTRODUCTION:

We are now going to tell you the story of some of the great women of our nation, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Julia Ward Howe, and others.

The first act will be Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the first champion of Woman Suffrage, and the first Woman's Rights Convention.

ACT I.

Mrs. Stanton Talking: Ladies we are met here today to discuss women, our social, civil and religious conditions, and the rights of women. (Applause). For generations we have been held down by man (more applause). I want to read to you a set of resolutions. We will call them a Declaration of Sentiments. They will be met of course with ridicule but that does not matter. Right is right and in time will prevail. Here are some of the resolutions:

First: We should have the same right as any other citizen of the United States.

The right to own and manage our own property.

The right to cast a vote at an election.

There are others that we will talk of.

You see ladies we should have an equal vote with men. (Much applause).

ACT II.

INTRODUCTION:

Susan B. Anthony met Mrs. Stanton soon after this convention and though she had not been in sympathy with the "Declaration of Sentiments" she changed and was ever after a friend of women's suffrage. They started a weekly paper which they called "The Revolution."

The next act will be Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony talking about their paper.

Miss Stanton: We must let the people of the United States see that the only True Republic is this "Men their rights and nothing more—Women their rights and nothing less."

Miss Anthony: Yes, this is the only way for us to get our rights. We will organize a National Women's Suffrage Association.

Miss Stanton: We will go over the country to any state we are needed and talk to the people.

Miss Anthony: Yes, I will address Congress and I will cast a vote for the President. It is my right under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution.

End of Act II.