johnny ( buster keaton ) would not be march home and a he be not allow to enlist . his girl annabelle ( marion mack ) would not speak to him because of it . they do not realize he be need an an engineer . the yankee steal his train and johnny jump into action and not know that annabelle be capture and on the train . the chase be both funny and exciting a a chase should be . the yankee try all manner of trick to get away and and keaton stay after them bumble along . soon and he be behind enemy line still chase . soon and he be on foot and find out the enemy plan and have to rescue annabelle . the scene with the bear trap be pure magic . the chase be now reverse a he try to get back to confederate line before the yankee catch him . annabelle wasn not much help and provide some great comedic moment . a expect and johnny do and in fact and come marching home finally and be make a lieutenant .