 The Cavalcade of America, calling Madeleine Carroll in Woman with a Sword, presented by the DuPont Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. With Madeleine Carroll as Anna Ella Carroll, here is Woman with a Sword. Washington, 1862, a secret meeting in the office of the Secretary of War. Gentlemen, this woman's idea of sending a military expedition up a shallow stream like the Tennessee is preposterous. Mr. Lincoln, I appeal to you. Isn't much of Tennessee and Kentucky loyal to the Union? By the grace of God, yes, Miss Carroll. And the Tennessee River winds through this loyal territory? Later, if we're forced back, our retreat will be downstream with the current. Provided our boats don't run aground first? Mr. Stanton, I've had soundings taken by General Grant's chief pilot. The Tennessee will carry medium boats as far south as Alabama. Don't you see what that means? It means to me, ma'am, that you're either mad or extremely clever. Thank you, Mr. Stanton. Anna Carroll has done valuable work for me in the past. I sent it to St. Louis with a government agent named Judge Lemuel Evans to study our present Mississippi plans. And you know them to be untenable. The Union cause can't last six months, sir, if we don't strike a powerful blow soon. I agree, Senator Wade, but what do we accomplish if we do follow Miss Carroll's idea? We cut their principal railroad. The war may be shortened, and more important lives on both sides will be saved. Well, I see. What do you think, Mr. President? I think Miss Carroll's plan may mean the difference between life and death for this nation, Mr. Stanton. This plan and its authorship must be kept secret now. But someday when we have a Union victory on our hands, I'm convinced the whole world will know she was right. Cause is on the brink of disaster when the Tennessee campaign quietly authored by an unknown woman begins. And with the fall of Vicksburg in 1863, it succeeds in hastening complete Union victory at Appomattox two years later. Now, on an April day in 1865, all Washington is out to welcome the hero of that victory, General U.S. Grant. And in a carriage moving down Pennsylvania Avenue. I'm gonna be shouting for you, Anna. Oh, that's nonsense. Is it? Would these banners and flags be up today if you hadn't roped inside the Tennessee campaign all by yourself? A grumpy Texas judge I know named Lenny 11 helped a bit, too. Oh, look. Look down the avenue. Where? The Capitol. They put up a banner, Len. See what it says? Yeah. Yes, I see. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Isn't it wonderful that it's over at last? I'm going to see Harry Hayward again. But it's been four years. What will you find in common? Love. You're forgetting what you and your work have done to the South. But my whole idea in the Tennessee plan was to save lives, not lose them. Do you expect your Colonel Hayward, the Southerner, to see that with the South in ruin? He's a rabble. He'll be bitter. Len, I truly believe that bitterness can be erased by a wife, a home, and children. Perhaps. When are you leaving? Tonight. Tonight. You can't go, Anna. I won't let you. Now that Grant is in Washington, Senator Wade and I can give him the complete story of your work during the war. I want him to make a public announcement about it. Think what it'll mean if people know what you've accomplished. Well, I'm actually, I don't really care whether anyone knows or not. But you can help in the work of reconstruction if you have an official position. People will listen to your ideas. They may not otherwise. Yeah. I suppose you're right. I know I am. Now, at this reception today, you'll meet a very important man named Bigelow Ashton. Ashton? Yes. He has a great deal of influence with General Grant. He's backing him for the next presidential election. It's hard to believe, but that lovely lady just coming in is a constitutional lawyer of great distinction. You don't say. Naturally, she's never been admitted to the bar. Naturally? However, her ideas are respected in the highest quarters. And if General Grant runs, I mean, if the people draft him for the next presidential nomination, she may be a valuable ally. Hmm. Well, Senator Wade, by all means, present me to the lady. Delighted, sir. Oh, Miss Carol. Yes? Judge Evan. Isn't it? Oh, good afternoon, Senator Wade. Anna, I want you to meet Mr. Bigelow Ashton. Miss Anna Carroll. How do you do? You know Judge Evans? Yes. Hello, Mr. Ashton. I was about to tell Mr. Ashton something of your work, Anna, during the war. Yes, I've heard my wife speak of it. It isn't generally known, sir, but Miss Anna Carroll is directly responsible for the Tennessee Plan, which was carried out so effectively by General Grant. I'm afraid I don't understand. Perhaps we should allow her to explain. Well, why not? Well, please, do so, Miss Carol. Well, Mr. Ashton, it was only that President Lincoln felt that there was something wrong with the original plans for attack down the Mississippi. I had some knowledge of rivers, their use in military strategy. So Judge Evans helped me, and together we conceived a new plan of attack up the Tennessee River. It was solely her idea, however. Her plan resulted in the Tennessee campaign, the capture of Vicksburg, and the eventual fall of the South. You, uh, you're joking, of course. No, no, on the contrary. This reception today should have honored two people, the lady responsible for the Union strategy, and the soldier who carried it out. But even if this preposterous claim were true, madam, how could you expect anyone to believe it? Why, the public simply wouldn't accept it. Ah, but if General Grant made a statement in her behalf. And you're in a position to convince him, sir? Yes. Oh, I see. Senator, when you suggested I meet Miss Carroll, you intimated that she might be valuable politically to the general. As well she might. Now I find you merely want him to grant you a fantastic favor. It was a trick, sir, and one which I most emphatically disapprove. Mr. Ashton, I want to help with reconstruction in the South. These gentlemen have persuaded that I need official recognition for my work in the war in order to do it. Then why don't you go directly to the President? He's noted for his art decision. Sir, a joint statement by General Grant Ann President Lincoln is what we'd hoped for, considering Grant's present popularity. Considering his present popularity. You think I would allow him to become the laughingstock of the nation? The hard-bitten general who took his orders from a civilian? A woman? Gentlemen, I'm not a lunatic. Goodbye, Miss Carroll. Gentlemen. Air walks a cynical man, my friend. Oh, I wish we hadn't approached him. But, Anna, we had no idea he'd take that attitude. I don't think I care much for this party. I'd like to go home. And I'm going to be very un-gallant and refuse to drive you. Oh, why? Because I'm going to the White House and try to catch the President between appointments. He's our one hope now. Come along, my dear. It will be my pleasure to drive you home. Anna, don't you go up to your rooms. I've been down here in the parlor waiting so I can warn you. Why, what's wrong? Oh, there's a lady up there. Push right past me when I try to stop her. Oh, don't you know who she is? No, ma'am scared me stiff. She got on a big black veil and I couldn't see her face. Well, I'll go up and find out what she wants. Oh, please don't. That woman don't mean no good to you. I can tell. Let me send that house boy up. Tell her you want to wait out of town or something. Nonsense. You'll do nothing of the sort. And it might be a good idea if you brought up some tea, Millie. Well, all right. But my goodness, you can't say I didn't warn you. Good afternoon. What can I do for you? Don't you recognize me, Anna? You must admit, ma'am, that your veil rather obstructs the view. Well, Ann, do you know me now? Vergie Stuart, I can scarcely believe it. Please sit down. Millie's bringing some tea. It'll be like old time. No, thank you, Anna. Oh, I'm terribly glad to see you. Why? Vergie, I know your sympathies have always been with the South. It's been so divided at home. But we were practically brought up together. Surely you don't feel bitter towards me now? It'd be very simple for you to forget, I suppose. When one commits murder, one naturally wants to forget and to be forgiven for it. What are you talking about? Do you think we haven't known what you were doing in Washington all through the war? I'm a lawyer, Vergie. I've studied the Constitution a long time. I know and respect it. When the time came, I felt I had to fight for it. And committed murder, surely as if you planned to obey and add into the back of each one of our dead soldiers yourself, Anna Carol. Oh, my dear, you must stop that. The war is over now. If you could only know what a great heart Mr. Lincoln has, how carefully he's planning to make things easier for us. Plan? Plan? You worked out a systematic plan to kill off all our young men. It was your plan that killed the man I loved. Do you think we'd accept any more of your plans now? Wait a minute, Vergie. The man you love? You thought nothing could come between you and Harry Hayward. But when he turned rebel, you fought him, so I guess your great love was only a lot of words after all. Well, to me, love was more than that. He was staying for the man I cared about. And before long, he began to care about me, too. Are you saying that you and Harry... We would have been married during his next leave. I went down to Virginia to find him. But he'd been killed, Anna. You had murdered him with your plan. He's dead. What do you care? He was just another Confederate soldier, the stab in the back. Oh, I ought to kill you, Anna. Carol, I ought to when I think I will. Vergie! No, I'm making it sorry that you ever had a plan. You've got to calm down, Mrs. Vergie. Anna, Anna, what is this? Oh, Lim! So you've got somebody else to protect you now. Stop this, both of you. Stop this, stop. Who is this woman, Anna? She's the girl I grew up with, Lim. Vergie, please let me help you to the couch. You must lie down and try to get over this. Please, dear. He loved you. He never really loved me. I think he would have, Vergie. Who's she talking about? Lim. Harry Hayward is dead. Oh, Anna, I'm sorry for your sake, believe me. Vergie thinks the Tennessee plan was responsible, as if I had killed him with my own hand. Is it? Maybe she's right. Well, how does she know about the Tennessee plan anyway? Ironically enough, Lim, many people in the South seem to have heard about my part in it. Anna, you and Vergie must know I'm deeply distressed about all this, but I've just come from the White House and Mr. Lincoln wants to see you. I'm afraid right away. You're listening to Madeline Carroll as Anna Ella Carroll in Woman with a Sword. Tonight's radio play on the cavalcade of America presented by the Default Company makers of better things for better living through chemistry. The wind blows over Washington in sudden raw gusts this Friday in April 1865. It settles cold rain on the city celebrating the end of a long and terrible war. At four o'clock, Anna Ella Carroll enters the office of the Secretary of War and is ushered into the private room with the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln awaits her. Good afternoon, Mr. President. Well, good afternoon, ma'am. It was considerate of you to come. I think it's considerate of you to see me, Mr. Lincoln. Here, here, here. Sit down. Well, these are great days for all of us. Can you stand more good news? More good news. I think you've waited long enough, ma'am, for recognition of your fine work. So I'm going to call both House and Senate the session early next week. The Congress is adjourned till fall. Well, they can convene again, won't kill them, make their constituents think they're earning their salt. Well, during that session, ma'am, I intend to make public your authorship of the Tennessee Plan. And I'm convinced that when your case has been presented, you will be awarded the recognition accorded to Major General. Oh, come, come now, Carol. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. If I recognize the ladies' tears, these aren't from sheer joy. What is it? I learned this afternoon that the man I hoped to marry is dead. He was a Confederate officer, Mr. President. I see. The triumph I offer you turns out to be rather empty, doesn't it? I'm afraid it does. You know, Miss Carol, my admirers, and I do have a few, like to claim that my motives are always on our grand scale. Actually, my reason for wanting you to become known to the public is very selfish. I can hardly believe that. But it is. We need you. You can be as effective in helping us to direct the strategy of peace as you were during the war. Do you mean that, Mr. President? I do. Think of those who want us to persecute the South, the bitter enders who want to go on fighting the rebels even now. It's my feeling, ma'am, that we must extinguish our resentment that we are ever to expect harmony and union in this country. I agree. Then you see why I want you with me in the government. I'm going to need help from people who understand the nature of our seven states. And with your legal knowledge, you can interpret the law for those whose souls will be deprived of their rights. You will be a woman with a sword who can cut through hatred and bitterness. I'll help. I'd love to help. Mr. President, in Maryland alone, there are thousands of freed slaves. They'll need homes, work, education. Oh, there. There. That's the way I'd like to see you look. Full of spirit. Plan. Plan. Yes, of course. Plan. First, we'll have our little ceremony in the Congress. That's important because this recognition will make people listen to you. No more watching others take all the glory. I don't want any glory. Ma'am, if you will will to do goodness out, we'll win this peace. By heaven we will. Mr. Lincoln, I think you saved my life. On the contrary, Madam General, it may be that for the second time you'll help to save the nation's life. Forgive me for intruding, but I had to know what President Lincoln said. He's asked me to help him then. And he agrees with you that people must know about my work. He's going to call a special session of Congress. That's wonderful. Now, come out. We're going out. Oh, no, not tonight. I couldn't go out. Come on. You ought to be where other people can make you laugh, make your eyes shine, make you forget for a little while. Now, please, I have the evening all arranged. Where do you want to go? That'll be my surprise. Put on your prettiest gown, wear your hair the way I like it best, and perhaps even smile for me a little bit. I'll try them. I'll try to do all three. My surprise, Anna. Tickets to the theater. Oh, dear, it looks terribly crowded. How did you manage to get them at the last minute? Ma'am, isn't an influential government agent and a stubborn Texan for nothing, Miss Gale. And I've been wanting to see this play. I'm so glad you were stubborn about my coming out. And I'm going to be gallant, too. Here, step carefully over this muddy spot. Thank you. Now, where? Oh, goodness, it's chilly. I don't suppose you ever see fog like this in Texas. In Texas, we're foggy every Saturday night. Program, we have a program right here, ladies and gentlemen. Hello. Over at the ticket window trying to shorthorn something at the last minute. You needn't be quite so superior, because you shorthorn tickets earlier in the day. Oh, it's Mr. Ashton. He's coming over. That's cheek, I'll tell you, after this afternoon. Good evening, Miss Carol, Judge Evans. Are you seeing the play? Yes, I trust your asthma has improved since this morning. No, my wife insisted I come out. She wants to see this play. Now, apparently, there isn't a seat left. You don't happen to have any influence with the manager, do you? I do not. I had understood General and Mrs. Ground would be present here tonight. Perhaps they could help you out. No, that's just it. They decided not to come after all. The general's gone to Philadelphia. Too bad, too bad. No doubt you had some pertinent words with him before he left. Now, my friends, you're not going to hold my feelings in the matter against me, I hope. Your feelings in the matter hardly concern us, Mr. Ashton. Mr. Lincoln has informed Miss Carol that he will call a special session of Congress next week for the purpose of introducing a bill in her behest. Oh, well, madam, I think it only fair to warn you. But I'll do all I can to prevent both passage of that bill and the public knowledge of it. If it goes through, it will be Mr. Lincoln's doing. And he is alone. Then we understand each other quite clearly, don't we, Mr. Ashton? My compliments, sir, and good evening. Come, Anna, let's go and find our seats. Good evening. No hard feelings, I hope. Nothing personal, you know. Up in the bar, then. I understand. The President. He's looking our way. We have a plan, Len, a wonderful plan. He wants me to help him win the peace. And I know that as long as he lives, it will be a good peace. He's smiling at you. Mr. Lincoln. He's nodding directly to you, Anna. You'll be the envy of every woman in Ford's theater, didn't I? I've been waiting for you in the carriage. Is there any news yet? The President was shot through the head. Let's drive around some more. I feel too restless to stay in one place. Driver. Where to, Jerk? I don't care. Take the route we took yesterday afternoon, Pennsylvania, Anna. Yes, sir, Jerk. It's almost dawn. And rainy again. There's no use hoping. He can't live. Miracle. He stayed alive as long as he has. Look, Len, on the Capitol building. At Banner. They must have forgotten it in the excitement. It's still lighted. Yesterday the words were beautiful. Now. This is the Lord's doing. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Oh, Len, we had a plan for the peace. He called me Madam General. He said I was the woman with a sword who could cut through hatred and bitterness. What can I do now? What would he want me to do? Still have your experience, your legal training. It's going to be trouble, hatred. The freed slaves will need help. It's your right as a citizen to help them. My right, Len? Yes. It would have been easy with an official title attached to your name. But there's something every citizen can do in his own name. He can help one person and another and another. Yes, Len. For the sake of a man who nodded so confidently to me in the theatre a few hours ago. I'll do it. He was without bitterness. And he'd want me to help cut through the hatred that may be ahead. As he said, a woman with a sword. In Cavalcade's cast for Woman with a Sword. Tonight's Cavalcade play Woman with a Sword starring Madeline Carroll was written by Virginia Radcliffe. It's adapted from the book of the same title by Hollister Noble published by Doubleday. The music for the Defant Cavalcade's composed by Arden Cornwell conducted by Donald Borees. Tonight's cast included Raymond Edward Johnson as Evans and Alice Reinhardt as Virgy. Next week Cavalcade will present the popular Hollywood star Robert Cummings. Our play The Reluctant Rebel is an exciting and romantic drama of colonial America and the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. Be sure to listen next Monday night to Cavalcade and our star Robert Cummings. For our listeners, there is an interesting three-page picture story of Cavalcade and its stars in the current issue of Radio Best Magazine. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Ted Pearson. With summer ahead, America's great outdoor season gets really underway. More and more people outdoors means there are more chances for forest fires which last year blackened 30 million acres of our land and area the size of New York State. So let's be careful this year. Thank you. Cavalcade of America is directed by John Zoller and comes to you each week from the stage of the Longacre Theater on Broadway in New York and is presented by the Defant Company of Wilmington, Delaware.