Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-20
Barbara Fritchie.
THE TRus STORY OF THE REBEL CuIsrrAtN
AND THE SmKEN SCARF.

IL was to her own troops that Barbara
waved the flag, inspiring them on a march
that involved some of the most intense suf-
fering of the war. The days were oppres-
sive, the roads sunny and full of dust and
any moment might bring the conteniing
forces face to face. 1t was the day before the
South Mountain battle. South Mountain
lies twelve miles west of Frederick, and to
this point General Reno, under Burnside,
was passing when he passed Dame Barbara's
door.
"They were passing all day" Mrs. II.
went on to say, ''but in the morning said to
my daughter, Julia, there are so many sol
diers around, 20 over and bring aunt across
the bridge: she is alone and perhaps may
feel afraid"
"And did you bring her back" said ].
''Oh, no. laughed Julia; "Aunt Fritchie
was standing at the window nodding and
smiling TO the troops, who were gathered all
about her, and when ! came she said, Child,
hand me my flag; you'll find it in my
Bible."
In between the pagas that Barbara read
daily the "silken scarf was folded; little
flag of twisted silk, not tw feet long. 1t was
not staff, so Barbara waved it like hand
kerchief The throng increased; the men
would not move on but, breaking ranks. were
crowding around her with, why, mother,
how are you?" "Hurrah for '76.' Lets
shake hands, GRANDMOTHER" etc. At this
moment Gen. Reno came up at the head of
his brigade; the picture met his eye; the
crowded artillery, the banners, horses,
swords. muskes and men, and in the midst
the veritablc "old gray head" with its smooth
white cap, the folded muslin over the breast
| now beating with Young heart throbs, the
bent figure in the black gown. He refined in
his horse before her. "And how old is
grandmother" said he. Some one replied
Ninety "Nineiy-six! Halt 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
ope of his aids, shook hands with Barbara.
was seated, and in few moments the old
lady was pouring him out glass of wine of
her own making. Goodbye was spoken and
the troops passed on but nearly all that day
the aged figure could be seen cheering the
passing soldiers by her enthusiasm. The
next day came the word n flower on the
Union side has fallen. The brave Reno,
respected on both sides alike, was killed at
South Mountain in an engagement whose de-
tails of fierce contest will never fully be
known.
"The next day." Mrs Il continued,
''we were over at aunts 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, for the town was full of
strangers. When we returned to the parlor
she met us quivering with excitement. Il
couldn't help it, he would have it. ! didn't
want to give it, but he gentleman
said she, he had things on his shoulders and
wore a gold watch and chain 1t was hard
draw from the old lady that she had respond
ed at once to the tap on the door, when an
officer entered and pleaded so persistently
for the little cotton flag she had then about
her that the woman will gave way lie would
have it, but it wasn't the one,' she said ap-
pealingly.
In passing to and from her house to her
niece, Barbara would often find her steps
filed by soldiers, for n clear spring bubbled
up just opposite her house upon the creek
and refreshed many Of both the blue and gray;
if it chanced to be her Town soldiers" her
tumblers and dipper were freely given. but
if it happened that an array of gray uniforms
were there, her staff would stir in among
them as though they were dead leaves and
they would scatter in every direction. amused
at the way she addressed them in language
not at all disguised by superfuous rhetorical
finish.-Springfed Republican.