The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-07-31
Barbara Fritcaie's True Ssory.

Il was to her own troops that Bar.
bsra waved the fig, inspiring them
on q march that involved some OF til,
most intense suffering of the war. Til
days were oppressive, the roads SUM
and full OF dust. and any moment
might bring the contending force
face 10 face. It was the day befor
the South Mountain battle. South
Mountain lies twelve miles west o
Frederick, and to this PORT Genera
Keno, under Burnside, was pressins
when he passed Dame Bsrbara'l
door
"They were passing all day." Mrs
81. went On to say, but in the morn.
ing I said to my daughter, Julia
there are so many soldiers around, g-
over and bring aunt across the bridge
she ia alone and perhaps may iesl
AFRAID"
"And did you bring her back?'
said 1.
son, no" laughed Julia, AUNT
Fritchie was standing at the window,
nodding and smiling to the troops,
wao were gathered all about her, and
when I came she said: Child, hand
me my flag; you'll find it in my
Blble?'"
IN between the papers that Bar
bara read daily the ''silken scarf" was
folded; little flag of twisted silk,
not two feet long. 1t was not on a
staff, so Barbara waved it like a
handkerchief. The th.ong increased,
the men would not move on; but,
breaking ranks, we're crowdipg
around her with: "Why, mother,
how are yod?" "Hurrah for '76l"
Lets shake hands. grandmother"
etc. At this moment General Reno
came up at the head of his brigade;
the picture met his eye; the crowded
artillery, the banners, horses, swords,
muskets and men. and in the midst,
the veritable "Old gray head" with
its smooth white cap, the folded mus
lin over the breast now heating with
young heart throbs. the bent figure
in the black gown. He refined in
his horse before her. 'And how old
is grandmother said be. Some one
replied "Ninety-six." ''Ninety-sixl
Haiti Three cheers for the loyal
grandmother" A shout went up
that had some sound in it; the Gen
eral dismounted, entered the little
house with one of his aids, shook
hands with Barbara. was seated. aud
IN few moments the old lady was
pouring him out a glass of vine of
her own making. Goodbye was
spoken and the troops passed on; bat
nearly all that day the aged figure
could be seen cheering the pass
ing soldiers by her enthusiasm.
The next day came the word "a
flower on the Union side has fallen. |
The brave Reno, respected by both
sides alike, was killed at South Noun
tain in an engagement whose details
Offerce contest will never be known"
The next day." Mrs. 81. con-
tiuued, 1--WE were over at aunt's and |
went into the garden to attend to the
flowers, charging her not to open the
door If any one raped while we were
down there, tor the town was full OF |
strangers. When We returned to the
psrior she met US quivering with ex-
element. I couldn't help 1t he
would haVeit. I didn't want TO give
It, but he was a gentleman, said abe,
he had things on his shoulders and
wore a gold watch and chain. 1t
was bard to draw from she old lady
that she had responded at once to the
tap upon the door. When an officer
and pleaded so persistently
for the little cotton flag she had then
about her, that the woman will gave
way: He would have it, but it
wasn't the one abe said appeal
ingly."
In passing to and from her house
10 her niece, Barbara would often find
ner steps filled by soldiers, for a clear
spring dubbed up just opposite her
house upon the creek and refreshed
many of both the blue and gray; if i'll
,hsnced to be her "own soldiers" her
:umbIers and Clippers were freely
given, but if II happened chat an ar
'sy OF gray uniforms we're there, her
taft would stir in among them as
hough they were dead leaves and
hey would scatter in every direction,
Im used at the way she addressed
hem in language not at all disguised
y superhuous rhetorical finish.
|pringfeld Republican.