The Sleeping Sentinel's primary photo
  • The Sleeping Sentinel (1914)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Sleeping Sentinel
The Sleeping Sentinel (1914)
Short | Short, Drama
This stirring poem by F. De H. Janvier, tells the story of a brave and overworked young soldier who slept at his post during a critical period in an engagement and was court-martialed and sentenced to death. The picture begins with a scene...See moreThis stirring poem by F. De H. Janvier, tells the story of a brave and overworked young soldier who slept at his post during a critical period in an engagement and was court-martialed and sentenced to death. The picture begins with a scene showing the unfortunate soldier on his pallet of straw on the eve of his projected execution. Before him appears the visions of his New England home, his enlistment amid the cheers of his townsmen, and the farewell with his devoted mother. Then comes the news that his mother is making efforts toward securing his pardon, and failing with the military authorities, she decides upon making a personal appeal to President Lincoln, who was never known to deny audience to anyone with a just cause to plead. Then follows the interview with the great martyr president, who is so deeply moved by the plea of the little mother that he at once orders his carriage and proceeds with her to the scene of execution. Now we are on the parade ground with the regiment ready to witness the awful penalty of a soldier sleeping at his post. The firing party files into line, the prisoner is placed before it, and the commanding officer is about to give the fatal word to fire, when a far off call to "halt" is heard. Turning in the direction of the voice, the onlookers are surprised to see a carriage with horses lashed into a foam, and the commanding form of Lincoln, with outstretched hand demanding, to be heard. He has come just in time, for he orders the release of the prisoner, who rushes into his mother's arms. Then comes the order for an attack, the prisoner takes his place in his company, and bravely atones for his first and only fault, by gallantry of the field, but, in the words of the poem: "The first to fall in the unequal strife, Was he, whom mercy sped to save, When 'justice claimed his life." Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
Read more: Plot summary
Writers
Clay M. Greene (scenario) | Francis De Haes Janvier (poem)
Producer
Siegmund Lubin
See all filmmakers & crew (3)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Feb 13, 1914
Release date
Feb 13, 1914 (United States)

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