The Osceola times., 1881-08-13
BARBARA fRITCHlE.
The True story of the Waving of the Old
flag.
Springfield Republica.


1t was to her own troops that Barbara
waved the flag, inspiring them on a
march that involved some OF the most
intense suffering of the war. Inc days
were oppressive, the roads sunny ana
full of dust, and any moment might
bring the contending forces face to iace'
II was the day before the south Noun
tain battle. South Mountain lies twelve
miles west of Frederick, and to TINS
point General Reno, under burnside,
was pressing when he passed Dame bar
bara's door. =,
They were passing all day." Mrs. IL;
went on to say, "but in the morning
said to nv daughter, Julia, there are SO
many soldiers around, go and bring aunt
across the bridge; she is all alone; ana
perhaps may feel afraid"
"And did you bring her back?" said !.
'Oh. no." laughed Julia. Aunt
Fritchie was standing at the window,
noddiug and smiling to the troops, VINO
were gathered about her, and when
came she said, Child hand me my nag;
you will fud il in my BibleP"
In between the pages that Barbara
read daily the ''silken scarf was folded;
a little flag of twisted silk not two feet
long. 1t was not on a staff, so Barbara
waived it like handkerchief. The
throng increased, the men would not
move on, but breaking ranks, were
crCwding around her with, "Why, moth
er, how are ycu?" "liurrah for 76!'
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 yerla able
"old gray head" with its smooth white
cap, the folded muslin over the breast
now beating with young heart>throhs
the bent figure in the black gown. lie
reined in his horse before her. And
how old is erapImolher?" said he.
Some one replied, "Nlnciy six" Nine
ty-sixl Haiti Three cheers loi the 10y
al grandmother A shout went up that
had some sound in it; the General dis
mounted, entered the little house with
one of his aids, shook hands with Bar
bara, was seated, and in few moments
the old lady was pouring him out c lss
Of wine of her own making. Good>bye
was spoken and the troops passed on;
but nearly all the day the aged figure
could be seen cheering the passing SOL
diers 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 Mountain in an engage
ment whose details of fierce contest will
never be fully know.
The next day. Mrs. II. continued,
I've we're 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 wee down there, for
the town was full Of strangers. When
We returned 10 the parlor she met rs,
/ quivefing with excitement i couldn't
help il; he would have il. | didn't
want TO give it, but he was gentleman,
said she; he had things on his shou-
ders, and wore gold watch and chain.
1t was hard to draw from the old lady
that she bad responded at once to the
I tap upon the door. When an officer
entered and pleaded so persistently for
the little cotton fag she bad then about
her that the woman-will gave way: He
would have it, but it wasn't the one,
she said appealinely."
/ In passing to and from her house to
her 'ece, Barbara would often find hen
steps filed by soldiers, for clear spring
bubbled up just opposite her house upon
the creek, and rejre.hed many Of botl
/ the blue and gray; if it chanced to b,
her Gown soldiers" her tuniblers anl
dipper were freely giyen, but il it hap
| pened that an stray OF gray uniforms
were there her staff would stir in anon.
them as though they were dead leave
and they would scatter IN every drcc,
ton, amused at the way she addressec
them, in language not all disguised by
superfluous rhetorical finish.