| Plot Summary |
The picture opens in 1861. Billy Girard loves Ethel Blair, both Virginians. Ethel's father, a judge, welcomes Billy to his home, and this embitters Horton, a rival. War breaks out and Robert E. Lee is seen to decline Lincoln's offer and declare for the Confederacy. Horton proposes to Ethel and is refused. He joins the Union army. Billy Girard and Judge Blair join the Southern army, the latter as a Colonel. He sends Billy to Washington as a spy, where Billy is recognized by Horton but escapes under difficulties. The Blair home has been taken by the Federal army and is used as a headquarters. Ethel, still there, gets a note from Billy which she reads and tears and throws out the window. Horton gets the fragments and pieces them together. A plan to capture Billy is devised. Horton dresses a man in Confederate uniform. The man pretends to be a fugitive and takes refuge in the cabin of Ethel's negro servant. Ethel's sympathy is aroused for the fugitive and she sends for Billy. Horton's men capture Billy and Ethel and some of their letters. Billy refuses to divulge Confederate army information and is sentenced to die. Ethel remains under guard. Horton celebrates and gets drunk. Dismissing Ethel's guard he enters the cabin and gloatingly offers her freedom if she will marry him. She stuns Horton with a heavy candlestick and kills him with his bayonet. Ethel gets away without being seen and the old servant is executed for the killing. Lee's army next day attacks the place. Billy gets out in the confusion and joins in the fight. The Blair home is destroyed by fire. Lee is victorious. The picture closes with Ethel's negro mammy dreaming of her brave black husband who died for Ethel's sake.
Written by Moving Picture World synopsis
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