Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-02-12
WHO WAVED THE FLAG AT FRED
ERlCk.

ERICK:
EDITOR STAR The attack upon my son 10
In article from New York paper copied in
the STAR demanded his defence. and in making
n, TO support the loyalty OF his family he al
luGed 10 my vindicaiion OF the Nationtl dag in
The city OF Frederick. Md, Sept. 6. 1862 Ia
your issue of the 5th instant You remark in
reference TO his oHustoH to me, - II Mr. Quan.
trill can establish this fact, be should do so at
ones" DC Passing by the hostile tone of So
ciety in that city during the war, which doubt
less affected my interests proportIonasly as
much as those Of any other, 1 shall submit TO
the public an extract from a private letter
written by me on the 18TH ult., whiC NAV al.
ford some amusement. and at the same time
prove now easy matter il Is for even journal
ists. IN these sensational times, to be imposed
upon:
BY he setting Of the sun on the eve of the
GATE already given, a stranger might have
paused In the streets of Frederick, and asked
what "change has come over the spirit" of this
cry! Not flag was to be seen; not a citizen
upon us streets; the pulse Of business (never
very strong) had almost ceased TO beat; and rs
iriend met friend, they whispered with white
lips OF the approach of the enemy. IL was true.
General Robert Lee, at the head of the Con-
Ia the main with its women and children, IL
speak OF the loyal portion) to the mercy of a
ChirdiT0uS enemy. General stone wall jackson
entered the city on Saturday, the 9th Of Sep
TENDER, and General Longstreet on the follow.
ing Monday came in with the remaining forces
10 Tar as i am In Informed, as good order
prevailed as could be expected under the car.
Cumstances.
Their so,ourn was brief, for the morning of
the 10th raised the curtain, and the scene pre-
Senied was truly warhke. Day dawned upon
marching columns of infantry. cavalry and
artillery vending their way to South Noun.
lam and Antietam. Onward they pressed,
presenting little variety, excepting National
ftage Were tied to horses tails, and traIled
through the streets as a warning to Untonists
of what might occur thereafter. Seated at nv
door, had been q silent observer Of the morn.
iDgs pageant. 1t may be well to state here.
although had not the acquaintance of q soli-
tary Confederate soldier, save those who had
been my neighbors. the house where the U.
b flag hoated under more friendly auspices
was known TO many. To continue: Music
was swelling, the stars and bars were waving;
and as i gazed upon brave men enduring
every degree of danger aud suffering for what
they called their rights, my:reverie was inter-
Tupted by the sudden halt of q subordinate
officer before my door, W no shouted at the top
Of his voice, s.9-d d-n the stars and stripes
TO the dust, with all who advocate themn'
The hero was borne off by the dense throug, but
the insult admitted OF NO second thought The
Nag OF my country, sacred to the memory of
my grandsires, and TO the bes. men OF Revolu.
uonary history, damned to the dust 1t was
too much My little daughter, W ho had been
enjoying her Haglet secretly. at this moment
came to the door, attracted by this blasphemous
salute, and, taking ii from her hand, held il
hrmiy in my own, but not a word was spoken.
Soon bright spot in this motley mass was
visible. A splendid carriage, accompanied by
elegantly mounted officers, evidently the fiow er
OF the army, was approaching. As they came
near the house they caught the GLIMPSE of the
tiny nag and exclaImed, s1See see. the flag.
the Stars and Stripes - and. with true chly.
airy, hats were removed and courtesies were
offered the bearer, but not ner standard They
mad advanced some PAGES when a halt was
ordered, and soon a lady-Hen Miss Martha
Sinr, SiRc" Mrs. james Arnold-of Frederick,
standing near with OF her ladies of the mel bor-
hood. admonished me to fly with my coIors 1
did not fly, however. nor move, until an offi ,er
from the above named company rode up, and
directing his attention to me. l stepped for
ward, ana the following remarks were ex-
changed.
Ofiicer.-Madam. give M your flag.
Answer.-NO. sir. YOU can't have it.
Officer.-GIye me your flag, to present to
Genersl Lee.
Answer.-General Lee cannot have my flag.
OhiCsr.-Whyl
Officer Your flag has been dlshonored.
Answer Only by the cause you have
espoused
Officer, regarding me sternly Come down
South, and we will show you whole negro
bIisades equipped for the service OF the United
States.
Answer am informed on that subject
Here a brother officer warned him of the
value of time, and urged a return. which was
accordingly made. The Confederate soldier
said the officer who asked the flag was General
Hill.
1 remained in the same position, resting the
staff Of my fiaglet on the railing of the porch.
musing upon the incident which had lust
transpired, when a soldier, who, II appeared,
had heard the remarks, stepped behind me, and
with his bayone', cut of my staff close to nv
hand. The report resembled that of pistol,
and turning about, saw him tear my flag into
pieces, and stamp them ia the dust. l pro-
nouneed this the act OF a coward, and again
turned 10 view the army. Among the young
ladies present, but who died about the close of
the war, was Miss Mary HopwOod, daughter
of Mr.. James Hopwood, welI-known as a
Union citizen of Frederick. Seeing my flag
cut down, she drew a concealed haglet from
her sleeve and supplied the place of mine In
apotber instant the second flag was cut down
by the same man. As soon as the Information
was conveyed TO the officers, one man more
advanced in years than either of those already
referred to- came back 10 the spot and reproved
in sharp language the man who cut down my
flags.
In conclusion. can endorse every word of
=. Or. Merrills statement. Mrs. Barbara
Fritcbie was held in high esteem by the people
of Frederick City; and the ladies generally are
second 10 none for their devotion 10 the cause
of our country. MARY A. QUANTRILL.
Washington city, ID. @, Feb. 9, 1859.