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


Interesting Accounts Of the Patriotic Old
z Lady.
From the Springfield Republican.
1t was into cool, little white shaded
parlor that I stepped the other day, out Of
the sunlight that was pouring over the
streets of Frederick and lighting up the
face Of the old town clock in the steeple
over 100 years DID, under whose shadow
Barbara Frltchie used to worship. It was
on the nearest surviving relative Of Whit
tiers heroine that the call was made, Mrs.
Kitty Il, aneice whom Barbara had
taken at the age of nine ana reared as her
daughter. When a little girl had been at
Barbara's house, and often here too, but
there was fresh impression Of quiet hos
pitality under the subdued light that rested
on everything from the simple carpet to the
bunch Of garden roses and columbine on
the little center table. My hostess did not
keep me waiting, and when tie greetings
were over, [ took from it's place on the
wall, Barbara's picture, with it's strong, true
face, over whose decided features woman
ly expression fell ike soft veil. and while
holding it asked Mrs. H-to pardon me for
bringing up the subject Of which, she had
to hear SO much, "but in your own home
from your own lips wish to have the con-
frmation Of the story I heard so long ago.
the real story of Barbara Fritchie. Il A
'And you shall have it, said she, ''but
come, we will talk it all over while you
drink from Aunt Fritchie's tea-cu
The bright china with it's wreaths of red
roses and blue leaves was on an old-fash-
toned table, which don't get the polishing
it did when was girl, for Aunt Barbara
made me rub every spot and groove until it
shone, and have you done, this, and this?'
she would say, putting on her spectacles
and leaning down to examine. ~ E
The delicious Maryland biscuit, the
snow. white "shavings, the chicken and
cream gravy we're only fresh exhibitions of
Aunt Fritchie's"t careful training, and
while they rapidly disappeared and the
painted bird at the bottom of cup grew Wis
IDLY brighter, she was spoken of and low
ingly remembered .. .-sf.. s4s,
, you know it never happened, my dear"
said Mrs. II. ...
30 yes, 1 know, but the real story is true
and pretty, too
Eyes, and more like her."
It was al true, the story told that strange
day when shot and shell were not fiction,
and the recollection of the time came over
all as we spoke. 20 s. at.
The night before September 8, 1862, will
never be forgotten by man, woman or child
who saw the streets of Frederick then.
The town had been evacuated by the feder-
ais, and the confederates were expected be-
fore morning; large .commissary stores
were IN various parts Of tho town and these
were to be fired to prevent falling into the
hands Of the confederates Huge bonfres
of these stores lighted the streets, and in
the square of our home seemed to reach
elimination For one block the flaming
mass famed an unbroken line; bed linen,
choice blankets and all the hospital re-
sources of splendidly supplied army was
tossed by the box load into the flame, and
to expedite matters the small boys held
blanket after blanket to the blaze. AS high
as the second story the conhaeration rose;
The trees were burnt and but for the play
Of the engines, property would lave suf-
fered In the midst of the lurid light the
captain in charge. rode up and down with
revolver at arms length to..prevent pillage
All that night the town was alive with varied
excitement and early in the morning two
confederate cavalry men entered the town
from the south and quietly rode up the de-
serted streets. A single bugle playing
Dixie broke upon the still air.
Old Sergeant Croker, of the United
States army was a hero. He was an old
man and for many months had charge of
the largest of the commissary stores. That
morning he walked up and down the pave
ment, keys in hand. MY post is here by
the kall, he said simply. It was the only
blue uniform visible: the two soldiers came
riding up and demanded of the old sergeant,
the one under whose authority am. Dr..
of the sanitary commission" the doc.
tor in turn handed them to- the sergeant
who was soon placed under parole. s.,.
Within short time the town was tillec
with gray uniforms, dusty and worn from
long, hot marches and the recent field o.
Manassas. But the men seemed in tint
spirits and splendidly drilled and unde
strict discipline. That night by 8 o'clocl
the town was as quiet as though in peace
Then came Sunday and many of the tol'
diery entered the pews of the differen
churches and took their places with tn
worshipers. Among these was stonewal
jackson. No one could have told him from
the poorest private. His uniform wa
mulhform in stain of dust and rain. Ever
child who may have seen him that even
ing will remember the reverent head Will
the pastor prayed aloud for "the pre- iden
and all in authority" for many wondere'
what tho minister and what the soldie
"would do when it came to that part Of tn
service. The pastor prayed in the sam
sweet, steady tones that had tried thei
utmost to keep down strife on both sides
and the general stood until the "Amen,
and then took up the hymn with the con
gregation. The next day the confederate
left town; this was on the 10th; and on tn
18th the incident occurred which in diff
ferent form has made the name of Barbar
Fritche immortal.
There copy from personal letter lyin
before me written by H. X. Douglas o
Hagerston, Me-, who at that time was O.
Gen. Jackson's staff: when we wer
encanped near Frederick. Gen. jackson
being injured by a fall from his horse, di
not go into town until Sunday evening
He went in an ambulance; Morrison of hi
staff and myself were with him. too
him to hear DR. Z-preach; On the nez
morning he entered the town st the hea
of his corps, and then asking me to &C
company him rode to the house of tn
Presbyterian minister, DIR R-not bein
up, he left note with the servant and W
rode away together. He went directly an
by the shortest cat to the Hagerstown pix
and put himself at the head of hi
column. He did not even pass the house o
Barbara Fritchie if know it's location