Fitzhugh's Ride (1914)
Robert Fitzhugh and Cyril Carroll are suitors for the hand of Elizabeth Manners. Fitzhugh is a virile, impulsive young man of the south, while Carroll is his opposite. By a ruse Fitzhugh discovers that Elizabeth cares deeply for him and dashing up on his horse, he carries her off from the courting presence of Carroll. Fitzhugh wins her promise to marry him after the war is over, which they expect will be soon. Both men enlist, and after the goodbyes, Elizabeth watches the departure of the troops. Fitzhugh is elected captain of the company, and the mail falls into the hands of Carroll for delivery. He intercepts the letters between Fitzhugh and Elizabeth, so that soon both lovers are believing the other has forgotten. Elizabeth writes to Cyril asking news of Robert, and why he doesn't answer her letters. Carroll allows Fitzhugh to think that Elizabeth is writing to him because she cares more for him than Fitzhugh, and Fitzhugh believes. Word comes to their command to hold their position at all costs. Dawn finds them surrounded and they realize that it means annihilation. Thinking Elizabeth cares more for Carroll than for him, Fitzhugh arranges to have Carroll sent through the lines for help so that he will be saved. Carroll goes and Fitzhugh finds enough of Elizabeth's letter to Cyril, half burned, to enlighten him as to why he has not heard. It is too late to recall Carroll, for the battle has opened. Carroll, caught between the two armies, takes to a tall tree, where he watches the battle in momentary chance of death. The Confederate command is practically annihilated, but Fitzhugh and a few others are captured. Carroll reaches the main command of the Confederates, where he tells that the command perished in its entirety. To Elizabeth he tells a story of Fitzhugh's fickleness and death. Finally winning her consent to a wedding the next day. By securing the permission of a Yankee officer to put his horse through his paces in the prison yard, Fitzhugh manages to escape, after sending the horse at the wall and clearing it. Cavalry give chase but he gets into his own lines in time to hear of the marriage at the village church. With the cavalry at his heels, he dashes for the church, up the steps and down the aisle in time to prevent the ceremony. There he clasps Elizabeth to his saddle and tearing down the aisle, clears the front of the church and is down the road before the Yankee cavalry catch up. The cavalry attack the command of soldiers that were on hand to witness the marriage, and who are now barricaded within the church. Carroll meets his death at the door before Confederate reinforcements come up. By the time the latter arrive, Federal artillery has entered the engagement and the church is rapidly going to pieces under the heavy fire. Fitzhugh, hearing the battle below him, leaves Elizabeth at the trysting place and gallops back, joining Confederate cavalry on the way. They are in the nick of time to turn the tide of battle and the Yankees are beaten back, but the church is a heap of ruins. Back at the tryst Fitzhugh finds the terror-stricken Elizabeth, their love is renewed and a happy future promised.
All Releases
Domestic
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International
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Worldwide
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Edgar Jones | Director |
| George Terwilliger | Writer |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Edgar Jones | |
| Louise Huff | |
| Brinsley Shaw |
