- When the Civil War begins, young Billy runs away from home to enlist in the Northern Army as a drummer; he's wounded in battle and taken prisoner. He manages to escape and deliver an important message to his commanding officer, but loses his life in the process.—Peter W. Many, Jr.
- The Durands and Browns are neighbors. Jack Durand and Betty Brown are sweethearts, and Billy Durand and Mildred Brown, the young brother and sister of the lovers, enjoy the romance. In the spring of 1861 the war clouds are gathering. Jack enlists in the Northern army, and Billy is brokenhearted because he cannot accompany his big brother. He has become quite an expert drummer, and when the troops leave town he runs away and joins them as a drummer boy, under an assumed name. Jack receives word of his brother's enlistment, and endeavors to find him, but two years elapse, and he gets no trace of Billy. A terrific battle takes place. Billy is captured by the Confederates, and the setting sun brings about a cessation of hostilities. Billy makes his escape from the guards, and dashes away with bullets whizzing about his head. He is slightly wounded, and is forced to take refuge in the house where the Confederate officers are discussing the plans for the following day's battle, and, concealed in a trunk, he keeps both ears open. At midnight the conference ends, and Billy, after many narrow escapes, makes his way back to the Union quarters. Billy reports to the Colonel that the Confederates would attack the Union right wing in full force at dawn. The Confederate guards had reported to the Colonel, however, the story of the elusive figure that had flitted past them, and fearing a spy had overheard their plans, it is decided to attack the left wing instead of the right, as originally outlined. The right wing of the Union army is strengthened, and at dawn the left wing is surprised by a sharp attack and half the Northern soldiers are killed in a terrible battle. Jack secures a leave of absence and goes home. Billy is taken sick, and writes to his mother that his regiment is leaving for his home town, and asking her to watch for him. The family are overjoyed to hear from Billy, and anxiously awaits the arrival of the regiment. Great preparations are made to receive the little hero, and mother cooks Billy's favorite cakes. The regiment arrives, and Billy is carried to his mother's house by a squad of soldiers, who reverently lay the casket in which the boy lies, and force hack the lumps in their throats at the grief of the mother, for Billy has died.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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