“…This Mighty Scourge of War…”
Abraham Lincoln and the Campaigns of 1864
Cast Members
(In Order of Appearance)
Confederate Soldier 1Ambry Brave Heart
Confederate Soldier 2Eric Budach
Confederate Widow 1Rebekah Kloster
Confederate Widow 2Sarah Kloster
President Abraham Lincoln 1Joshua Kloster
Mary Todd LincolnSarah Kloster
General U.S. GrantJoshua Clobes
General William T. ShermanNathan Clobes
Harold C. George (PA soldier)EleanorCoons-Ruskey
Edwin O. Wentworth (37th Mass soldier)Ethan Oldenburg
Horace Porter (officer on Grant’s staff)Skyler Sysouthavongsa
MessengerEthan Beiswanger
Noah Brooks (newspaper reporter)Eric Budach
John Hay (Lincoln’s private secretary)Cyrus Brave Heart
President Abraham Lincoln 2Jacob Hernandez
Alexander McClureDominic Winstead
Joseph T. Mills (white politician from Wi)Jeremiah Kloster
Frederick Douglass Gerald Veaux
Voice of Lewis DouglassChristian Hanel
Military Aide to General ShermanEleanor Coons-Ruskey
Staff Officer 1Ethan Beiswanger
Staff Officer 2Broderick Krosch
Sherman’s “Bummers”Sebastian Winstead, Ethan Oldenburg,
David Clobes,Ethan Beiswanger,
Eleanor Coons-Ruskey
Union Soldier in Sherman’s ArmyDavid Clobes
Dolly Burge (Georgia widow)Ambry Brave Heart
Theodore Upson (soldier with Sherman)Sebastian Winstead
African-American ManDominic Winstead
Sec. of War, Edwin StantonChristian Hanel
Charles Dana (Aide to President Lincoln)Skyler Sysouthavongsa
Thomas Eckert (telegraph operator)Sebastian Winstead
Chaplain Edward D. Neill (1st MN/Aide)David Clobes
George W. Blunt (Head of Union League)Christian Hanel
Union Soldier 1Jeremiah Kloster
Union Soldier 2Ethan Oldenburg
President Abraham Lincoln 3Lucas Youngerberg
Synopsis of Scenes
Prologue: “Mystic Chords of Memory:” Recollections of 1864
Act 1; Scene 1: “Grant Takes Command”
Act 1; Scene 2: “I’ll Fight it Out on This Line, if it Takes All Summer ”
Act 1; Scene 3: “Don’t Swap Horses in Mid-stream:” Lincoln’s 1864 Re-nomination
Act 1; Scene 4: Two Men, One Dream
~ Ten MinuteIntermission ~
Music Played and Recorded by Christine Schulz:
- Be Thou My Vision
- Marching Through Georgia
- Battle Hymn of the Republic
- We Gather Together
- Jerusalem, My Happy Home
Act 2; Scene 1: Sherman’s Capture of Atlanta and the March to the Sea
Act 2; Scene 2: “I want to Finish this Job:” Election Night, 1864
Act 2; Scene 3: The Union Gives Thanks
Act 2; Scene 4: “…Fondly Do We Hope…”Lincoln’s Second Inaugural
DirectorsSara Brave Heart, Bryce Stenzel
Costumes/Make-upLisa Krosch, Theresa Winstead
Lights/Sound/Christian Butler, Sophie Nevills, Steve Oldenburg
Set ConstructionDavid Brave Heart, Gerald Veaux
Scene Shifting/PropsPatti Ruskey, Sarah Beiswanger, Chris Oldenburg
PublicityMartha Lindberg, Julie Schrader
UshersJohn Ganey, Susan Hynes, Troy Kloster, Ken Schrader
Ticket SalesJill Kloster
VideographerKevin Lindberg
*Written and Directed by Bryce O. Stenzel, MA; Historian and Costumed Historical Interpreter
2014 marks Mr. Stenzel’s 25th year portraying President Abraham Lincoln to audiences across the United States. He is the author of eight playbooks on Lincoln’s life and legacy.
Acknowledgements
The Cast and Crew gratefully acknowledge the unique, collaborative efforts made by the following organizations and individuals that made this production possible:The parents of our talented student actors and actresses, who unselfishly gave of their time to ensure their children’s participation and success in this project.Christine Schulz, Bethlehem’s Organist for her expert arrangement and moving interpretation of the hymns and Civil War era musical selections used in the pre-show and intermission portions of the production.
Sara Brave Heart, Co-DirectorCarl and Verna Schmidt Foundation
Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchPastor Jay Dahlvang
The Free Press, Mankato Martha Lindberg
Minnesota Heritage PublishingJulie Schrader
Lance QuickChristine Schulz
KTOE RadioKevin Liebl
Director’s Notes
“It has been a grave questionwhether any government, not too strong forthe liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintainits own existence, in great emergencies. On this point the presentrebellion brought our republicto a severe test; and apresidential election occurring in regular course during the rebellionadded notalittle to the strain...But the election was a necessity. We cannot have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered andruined us...It [the 1864 election]has demonstrated that a people's government can sustain a nationalelection, in the midst ofagreat civil war. Until now it hasnot been known to the world that this was possibility...And now, let me closeby asking three hearty cheers for our brave soldiers and seamen and their gallant and skillful commanders.”
—Abraham Lincoln (November 10, 1864)
The title of the play, “...this mighty scourge of war...” is derived from PresidentAbraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, [March 4, 1865]. It best sums up what the American Civil War had become by 1864—a remorseless, relentless struggle, thatpitted entire armies against civilian populations,leading to the destruction of homes, crops, livestock and even major cities.1864 was also apresidential election year.Its outcome would determine whether or not the United States would remain, “a house divided against itself.” President Lincoln was keenly aware, as were his generals (Grant andSherman) that his re-‐election chances were dependent on theirmilitarysuccesses in the field.For the first nine months of 1864, Northern battlefield victories were few,and the casualty rate was high,casting serious doubt on the Lincoln Administration’s ability to achieve its war aims; namely preservation of the Union and the abolishment of slavery. Sherman’ssudden capture of Atlanta in earlySeptember, as well as his stated intention of marching his army to the sea in order to ‘make Georgia howl,’ enabled Lincoln to win a decisive electoral victory. This is the dramatic story of Lincoln and the “campaigns” of 1864, both military and political, as well as the effects those campaigns had on soldiers and civilians alike.
-—Bryce O. Stenzel, Playwright/Director
Lincoln’s Traveling Troupe Presents:
“…This Mighty Scourge of War…”
Abraham Lincoln and the Campaigns of 1864
May 4, 2014
2 pm and 7 pm
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN
Lincoln’s Traveling Troupe
Lincoln’s Traveling Troupe is dedicated to preserving the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln through authentic, living-history dramatic portrayal, and historical reenactment. Lincoln himself, loved the theater, and used it on many occasions, as a means of escaping the overwhelming pressures and burdens he faced, while in office. Lincoln’s own conscious life came to an end in a theater setting, in much the same manner as depicted in the Shakespearean tragedies he enjoyed. Lincoln’s Traveling Troupe is open to anyone interested in theater and/or living-history, with an emphasis placed on recruiting students, ages 6-18.Lincoln’s Traveling Troupe is a proud sponsor of the Boy in Blue Memorial Project.For more information on performances and volunteer opportunities, visit our website:
Boy in Blue Memorial Project
"To rebuild and erect the 'Boy in Blue' monumentin Lincoln Park that honored the courage, sacrifice, dedicationand patriotism of the Blue Earth County,Minnesota Volunteer Soldier 1861 - 1865."
Join the effort to restore the Boy in BlueBlue Earth County Civil War memorial to Mankato’s historic Lincoln Park.This project is a community effort and is based solely on private donations. You can help return the “Boy in Blue” to Lincoln Park by giving a tax-deductible donation.
2014 Fundraising Events
May 31Civil War Stories, Blue Earth County Library, 100 E Main Street
Living History Actors portray Blue Earth County Civil War veterans
10 am. Free to public, donations welcomed.
July 1Boy in Blue Patriotic Concert in Lincoln Park @ 7:30 pm
Free concert. Ice cream and lemonade sales benefit the Boy in Blue Project. Free to public, donations welcomed.
Sept. 27Civil War Cemetery Tour, Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato
Event details on our website:
Engraved paver Fundraiser - Engraved pavers will be used to build a walkway surrounding the newstatue/fountain.You can leave a permanent legacy of your contribution to there-creation of thishistoric memorial to Blue Earth County's Civil War veterans. For more information on the Boy in Blue Memorial Project, visit:
Marching Through Georgia
by Henry Clay Work, 1865
Bring the good ol' Bugle boys! We'll sing another song,
Sing it with a spirit that will start the world along,
Sing it like we used to sing it fifty thousand strong,
While we were marching through Georgia.
Refrain: Hurrah! Hurrah! We bring the Jubilee.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The flag that makes you free,
So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea,
While we were marching through Georgia.
"Sherman's dashing Yankee boys will never make the coast!"
So the saucy rebels said and 'twas a handsome boast
Had they not forgot, alas! to reckon with the Host
While we were marching through Georgia.
Refrain: Hurrah! Hurrah! We bring the Jubilee.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The flag that makes you free,
So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea,
While we were marching through Georgia.