Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-05-13
what whittier says About barbara
FrllGhto.

lrIuiu tNc Duhy hufcItsci'J
Mr.. Whittier attended the Friends meet
ing in Amesbury OIL Thursday, for the first
time in several weeks, having been sbsent on
account OF Illness and on his return, in con-
versation with the writer, who called To ascer-
tain the foundation Of the poem he said that
lie heard with regret Of the attempt to invsli-
date the truth Of the story. He said that his
belief in the verify Of the act NJ described
WAS as perfect and unshaken ~ the day when
first he formed it. The attempt to overthrow
the fact came undoubtedly from dissatisfied
parties, to whom remembrance Of the matter
was dstastefgl, or this he was aware, not
only from Northern newspapers, but by the re-
ports Of personal friends who had visited the
South. His confidence in the truth Of the
story WAS founded not only on the testimony
of friends who had learned the disputed facts
when in the historic city Of Frederick, but by
contirmatory evidence protYered, not solicited,
by numerous parties in the South ; and large
number OF letters in support Of the poem are
now in the poets possession.
The Incident was first told to Mr.. Whit
tier in letter from well-known and popular
author, q lady, Virginian by birth, now resi-
dent in the District Of Columbia, and one
whose character is above suspicion OF unvera-
city. She wrote to him in August 1868, and
the following is copy OF portion Of her let
Ter now i'll Mr.. Whittier's possession
"When Lees army occupied Frederick, the
only Union flag displayed in the city was held
from an attic by Mrs. Barbara Fritchie widow
lady, aged ninety-seven yearH.' such WAS the
paragraph that went the rounds Of the Washing
ton papers last September. Some time after
wards from friends who were in Frederick at
the time (of his occupation) heard the whole
story. 1t WAS the story OF woman's heroism,
which when heard seemed a. much to belong to
you as book picked up with your autograph on
the tly-leaf. SO here it is: Barbara Fritchie
was born in 17G6. She was ten years old at the
beginning Of the Revolutionary war and fifteen
years old at its close. Therefore, ut the most
ceptable period of her life she must have drawn
in from that serious epoch the ardent spirit OF
patriotism that inspired her to the act. When,
on the morning of the 9th of September the
| advance Of Lees army, led by the formidable
rebel, General Stonewall Jackson, entered Fred
erck. every Union flag WAS lowered and the
house was closed. The inhabitants had retired
indoors, the streets were deserted, and to quote
the official report, f the city wore church-yard
| aspect" But Mrs. Barbara Fritche, taking one
Of the Union flags, went up to the top OF
hsd s 4s { cr Hp'n'd The E' Es5s army MnS0m mars
ed up the street, saw the flag,
and the order was given, Halt Fire y
and yolley was discharged at the window from
which it was displayed. The Flagstaff was part
y broken, so that the flag dropped. The old
lady drew it in, broke OFF tho fragment, and
taking the stump with the flag still attached
| to it in her hand, she stretched herself AZ far
out OF the window rs she could held the stars
and stripes at arms length, waving over the
| rebels, and cried out in Il voice of indignation
and sorrow, "Fire at this old head, then, boys
! it is not more venerable than your flag"
| They fired no more; they passed in silence and
with downcast looks, and she secured the flag in
! its place, where it waved unmolested during
| the whole of tine rebel occupation OF the city.
Stonewsll would not permit her to be troubled.
| 80. She died few days after the Union troops
entered Some thought she died OF joy at the
| presence OF the Union army and others from
excitement and fatigue that she underwent in
the " "lionization' she received from those who
would net emulate the old lady's courage, but did
| honor to her act.
Shortly after the poem WAS published and be-
| gan its never-ending circulation, Mr.. Whittier
received letter from Judge John g. Under
| wood OF the supreme court OF Virginia, who
wrote to the author of barbara Frltchie," ut
the request Of Il daughter OF Stonewsll Jackson
then resident in the judges family to thank the
poet for his graceful and tender mention Of
Stonewal in the true incident where the general
| played such a conspicuous and noble part -
And let a tear
FALL for her sake, on stonewall's bier.
In the summer of 1872 the Virginian lady re
ferred to above, who furnished Mr.. Whittier
with the incident, was in Massachusetts, and ac-
eonpaned by n nephew Of Dame Barbara made
u visit to the genial Quaker's charming cottage
naturally turned on the event Mr.. Whittier had
immortalized, this nephew Of the heroic old Ia
dy confirmed in every particular the facts in the
matter, as previously furnished Mr.. Whittier
and on the same occasion lie presented the poel
with plain oaken cane, made from the wood Of
Dame Fritehie's house.
Besides this array Of evidence shown by Mr.
Whittier, he sad ttat everything was favorable
for such an incident; the principal actor in il
had during her whole life shown her patriotism
by word and deed, and her character knew NJ
fear. Every time tnat the Incident had beer
mentioned before the story was disputed
Dame Fritclies name WAS connected with it ant
no other lie admitted that there might be thu
barest possibility that the inciden
was hot true, but he did not beiey'
there war. He had no desire to mslead tn,
pubic in the least, lie had no motive to produce
false impression, and had be at any time be
como convinced that the event had no founda
tion in fact, he should have acknowledged it
He regretted the extent OF the controversy
as lie desired to escape being drawn INTO it
not on account Of any claims Of opponents
but on the ground of peace. And he added al
exquisite touch of pardonable pride as he sai'
''good bye Tn a little afraid the nciden
> Will stick to tho old lady for some tine yet"
And 50 the matter stands. Ex.Confederate
have sworn to having been in the "dust-browne
. ranks and fired at the old flag other Ex-Con
fedcrates have sworn that the matter WAS
myth. Those who lave volunteered statement
, have only believed" either their data Q
! memories being defective, and their opinion
: can hardly stand in the strong light of the poet
7 evidence and belief, firm and q
all the world knows, sincerely homes
No matter how much be said against this nobl
: story of nobler act, the idol in all New Eng
i land hearts can never be thrown down, nor I'll
: tender beauty of the Quakers verse impaired /
! those who question the verify of the event. I'll
9 act, the heroine and the author who sang of
d are all enshrined. Asauredy the incident wi
' stick to the old lady for some time yet" eve
! though
9 Barbara Frltchle's work is DER
II And The rebel rides on his raids no more.