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May 15, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

From the New Orleans Era, April 24

            There was an exciting time in the Varieties theatre last night.  The house was crowded, and many ladies were present, as it was a benefit occasion.  The play of Richelieu had progressed to the conclusion of the first act.  The curtain fell, and quiet reigned throughout the theatre, while without the elements were at war–the thunder rolling, lightning flashing in the windows, and the rain pouring down upon the roof.  The orchestra prepared to play as usual, when there was a sudden shout raised as if by preconcerted signal; the “Star Spangled Banner” was displayed in the second tier, and a general demand was made for “Hail Columbia.”  The orchestra hesitated, and the demand grew more loud and determined–the excitement increased–but still the music tarried.

            A portion of the audience began to leave, and calls of “come back, come back;”” let no one leave”–”he is a coward that flies now”–”we will have ‘Hail Columbia'”–mixed with shouts and all kinds of noises–threats and violent language–conspired to make the scene one of the most stormy and boisterous we have ever witnessed.  One man who was leaving with a lady stopped to expostulate, saying it was unjust to call for national airs while there were Confederates in the house; but he had scarcely spoken the words before he was surrounded by an angry crowd of Union men, and a struggle ensued in the dress circle, during which we saw a pistol drawn.  This served to increase the fright among the ladies, and several of them fainted.  Still the orchestra refused to answer the demand.

            In the midst of this exciting scene Mr. Baker appeared on the stage.  He was received with applause; and, upon asking what was the meaning of the demonstration, he was informed by Dr. Dostle that this being a Union city, the audience were determined that the national airs should be played; that the theatre had had a prosperous season, and had been patronized by Union people, and no symbol of the Union had been displayed, or national air played, during the entire season–and the present company were determined that “Hail Columbia” should be played before the performance proceeded any further.

            To this Mr. Baker answered, that he held permission from the military authorities and license from the city to conduct the theatre, and he had received strict authorities to allow nothing of a political character.  “‘Tis a lie, ’tis a lie,” from all parts of the house.  That only four weeks since he had received such orders from Captain Kilborn, and he dare not disregard them; therefore he could not comply with the demand.

            The audience interrupted him with the demand that the national airs should be played, and would listen to no further reasoning.  Mr. Bowers now appeared on the stage, as also Mrs. Baker, and attempted to speak, but it was in vain–there appeared to be but one determination on the part of the majority of the audience then present, and that was Hail Columbia or a row.  Mr. Ives, the mayor’s secretary, now made his appearance and attempted an explanation, to the effect, that under the orders of the mayor, it was not permitted to play the national airs.  His voice was drowned in a renewed outburst of vociferations, and he was compelled to withdraw, when an officer, wearing the uniform of a major (Major Foster, 128th New York volunteers,) stepped upon the stage from one of the private boxes, and commanding silence, said he would take the responsibility.  He ordered the orchestra to strike up Hail  Columbia, and the order was reluctantly obeyed.  The old tune was greeted with cheer upon cheer; and the Union men having carried their point, resumed their good humor, and it was announced that their demands having been satisfied, the play could proceed.  Many of the ladies returned to their seats, and good order again prevailed, and the play went on.

            But we discovered another storm brewing, which we felt must soon burst with greater fury upon the house than the first.  When Mr. Bowers made his appearance there was much applause from a portion of the house, which subsided amid hisses from another portion of the house.  He stepped forward to the footlights and inquired:  “What is the meaning of those hisses?” repeating the question several times before he was answered, when some one said:  “Because we wished to hiss.”  He then said that he would be happy to meet the man who hissed outside, where they could settle the matter.  This episode caused some hard feelings and harder words, and one gentleman threw his card upon the stage.  Dr. Dostle quieted any further demonstration at the time by saying:  “Gentlemen, let the play go on, and we can settle all these private matters tomorrow.”

            The curtain had fallen on the third act, and the signs of a renewal of the difficulty were so portentious that we thought it advisable to see some ladies, in whose company we were, and who were trembling with fright, out of the building.  When we returned, loud cries were being made for music; but the musicians, after the first difficulty, had gathered up their instruments and notes, and skedaddled.  The call was responded to by hoisting the curtain for the fourth act.  The disturbance, however, continued.  The audience were determined not to let the play go on until the orchestra had responded to their call for Yankee Doodle.–The audience persevered, but the audience out-persevered the actors–still there was no music.  Again were the wails of the theatre shaken by the shouts of the people, and everything was indeed “confusion worse confounded.”

            The noise attracted the provost guard at this juncture, and they entered, just as a rush was made by several parties for the stage.  One gentleman had got on the stage and struck at Vining Bowers, who drew a small stage sword which he wore, and throwing up a guard, cried, “Stand off, sir;” the gentleman at the time appeared to be in the act of drawing a pistol.  The scene of excitement was now far beyond description, ladies and gentlemen rushing precipitately in fright  from the theatre–the actors and actresses hurrying excitedly around the stage–people, maddened by passion, rushing forward in a menacing manner–while the provost guard marched in and at once took possession of the stage.

            The guard having succeeded in establishing some sort of order, Capt. Davis, of General Bowen’s staff, promptly ordered the theatre to be closed.  Lieut.  Col. Hopkins empowers us to say that this order was not authorized–and that the guard could have restored order without closing the theatre.

            Col. Hopkins was at the St. Charles hotel, and hearing of the disturbance, at once reported it to Gen. Bowen, who issued an order immediately, and sent it to the theatre to be read to the audience, which order would have put an end to all further disturbance; but, unfortunately, it did not reach the theatre until after it had been closed.  We append the order of Gen. Bowen, under which the management of the theatre will in future be required to conduct the establishment.

            There was but one arrest made during the evening, that of a gentleman who sprang upon the stage during the excitement, and drew his pistol on Bowers, when that gentleman’s sword was drawn, and the person arrested was a Union man.  We are happy to be able to state that notwithstanding the excitement, there were no accidents, and nobody was hurt.

            The following is the order of Gen. Bowen, referred to above:

Office of Provost Marshal General,   }
Depart’mt of the Gulf (208 Carondelet street).}
New Orleans, April 22, 1863.              }

Mr. Baker, Manager Theatre:

            It is reported that you have declined to cause national airs to be played at your theatre at the request of the audience, for the reason that you have been forbidden by the mayor of the city.  No such order can be recognized or held as valid in the presence of the United States army.  You will, therefore, cause the national airs–Hail Columbia, Star Spangled Banner and Yankee Doodle–to be played before the audience leave your theatre this evening.

James  Bowen,
Brigadier General, P. M. G.