The Warrens of Virginia

Warrens of Virginia, The (1907), a play by William C. de Mille. [ Belasco Theatre, 190 perf.] Although the Civil War has separated Lt. Burton (Charles D. Waldron) of the Union Army from his Southern fiancée, Agatha Warren (Charlotte Walker), Burton succeeds in wangling permission to visit her. However, his commander requires him to travel with plans purporting to show future Northern movements. Of course, the plans are false and are designed to fall into the hands of the Confederates. The trick works, and the forces led by Agatha's father, Gen. Warren (Frank Keenan), are routed. Agatha learns of the ploy and refuses to have anything further to do with Burton. The ending of the play only hints that a reconciliation may occur when the war is over. Typical of the sentimental, romantic, and pro‐Southern Civil War dramas of the era, the play owed much of its success to producer David Belasco's staging and to Keenan's performance of the Lee‐like general.