Created for The Loudoun Museum's 1995 "Road To Antietam" living history weekend in Leesburg, Virginia, this 20-minute production tells the true story of a Union Ball held near Taylorstown, Virginia for members of The Loudoun Rangers (the only Union troop ever formed in Virginia). The dance is interrupted by Confederate cavalry soldiers of the 35th Battalion who immediately take prisoners. When Molly Anderson sees her brother about to be taken away, she throws her arms around the neck of the Confederate Lieutenant and begs him not to send her brother to prison. Deeply affected by the display, the Lieutenant promises to give her brother parole IF she'll dance the next sette with him. Then the Confederates take partners and proceed to dance.
The play ends as the Confederates leave, and two young men, enraged by what they've seen, vow to sign up with The Loudoun Rangers the very next day.
Events are taken directly from an account of the ball written by Loudoun Ranger Briscoe Goodhart in his biographical history, The Loudoun Rangers (The Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg).
Thirty-minute presentaion includes live music and 35 costumed performers. Fee $7500.00. Contact Meredith Bean McMath.