The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-21

had crossed the river and was concentrat-
ing his movements on Harpers Ferry; the
troops under Mcclellan we're pressing to
the same point to relieve it. A division of
Longstreets corps had been sent to close
it in on the Maryland side and occupied
the beautiful valley that lies between the
Maryland nights at Harpers Ferry and the
South Mountain spur of the Blue ridge, a
continuation into Pennsylvania of the
ranges of the Blue ridge in Virginia, broken
by the Potomac about Harper's Ferry.
South Mountain lies - miles west Of
Frederick, and to this point Gen. Reno,
under Burnside, was pressing when he
pissed Dame Barbara's door.
."They were passing all day. Mrs. 81.
went on to say, but in the morning ! said
to my daughter, Julia there are SO many
soldiers around, go over and bring aunt
across the bridge. she is alone and perhaps
may feel afraid"
"And did you bring her back?" said l.
"Oh no. laughed Julia, Aunt Fritchie
was standing at the window nodding and
smiling to the troops, who were gathering
all about her, and when I came she said,
Child, hand me my flag, you'll find itin my
Bible
In between the pages that Barbara read
daily, the "silken scarf was folded; little
| flag of twisted silk not two feet long. It
was not on staff, SO Barbara waved it like
handkerchief. The throng increased, the
men would not move on; but breaking ranks
were crowding about her with, Why,
mother, how are you?" "Hurra for u.s."
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, muskets and men, and in
the midst, the veritable ''o]d
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 reined in his horse before her. And
how old is grandmother" said he; some one
replied 800" "Ninety-si1 Halt! Three
cheers for the loyal grandmother" A
shout went up that had some sound in it,
the general dismourted, entered the little
house with one Of his aids, shook hands
with Barbara, was seated and in a few mo-
ments the old lady was pouring him out a
glass of wine Of her own making. Good
by was spoken and the troops passed on,
but nearly all that day heaged figure could
be seen cheering the passing soldiers by
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 Mountain in an
engagement whose details Of fierce contest
will never be known.
The next day." Mrs. II. - continued,
1--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 rap
ped while we were down there, for the town
was full Of strangers. When we returned
to the parlor she met US quivering with ex-
element, 4 couldn't help it, he would have
it. didn't want to give it, but he was
gentleman, said she, he had things on his
shoulders and wore a gold watch and chain ,
It was hard to draw from the old lady that
she had responded at once to the tap upon
the doo-. When an officer entered and
pleaded SO presistently for the little cotton
flag she had then about her, that the wo-
men will give way: He would have it, but
it wasn't the one,' she said appealingly."
The source Of Mr.. Writers version
came as follows Mrs. R, niece Of Mr..
Fritchie, was in Frederick at the time; in
the midst of such experiences there were
many thrilling incidents wholly swallowed
upin the terrible reality Of war, which
when met with face to face makes
all fiction seem imitation only. In town
that On one day was taken and retaken in
all six times, AS was the experience of Fred
erick, one event followed another too quick
ly to find its due importance until after
ward, and it was by no means possible to
get by proxy the true details. When in the
morning an army of one side passes and in
the evening the contesting side, an incident
may be associated with one or the other.
Thus Mrs. R-heard the story doubtless
after it had passed through many versions,
} so that when it reached her it was athi-
buted to the wrong side, with all the addi-
, tons that even in every day matters cling
to repeated subjects. She returned with
it to Washington and wished Mrs. South
, worth to write a story upon it; Mrs. s.
gave the incident to Miss D., who SEM
it to Mr.. Whittier. r, * a 81 -.'.
J Ruskin says that woman sees the quail.
lily of things, their claims and places. Her
3 great function is b1aise-she enters into NJ
r contest, but infallibly judges the crown OF
< contest" And, surely Barbara presents q
. womanly picture when she is seen animal
ing soldiers on a footsore and weary march
t fit could but be given by him who ha
9 given her name immortality, and painted
Il such fair and true vision of her hom
n mountains, and gay orchards with tn
S splendid fields and rare valleys, But
q leaves nothing to be said by one who i
: born among them, and saw them this
Q morning outlined with wild roses, fragran
t with locust blossoms, and all silver wit
d the ripening grain waving on either lid
r the white road that is crowned where
9 s'The clustered spires of Frederick stand,
9 CIR cen walled by the hills of Maryland"
> A North Carolina NegresS With TW
: Heads and Lovely Voice.
8 From the Savannah News. 5,gsFs.sl
9 Mile Christine, who is now on exhibition