National Republican., 1881-07-05
BARBARA FRITCHIE,
The True STORY of the waving OF the Old


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 The days were oppressive the roads sunny
nnd'full of dust, and any moment might bring the
contending forces face to face 1t was the day be.
fore the South Mountain battle. South Mountain
lies twelve miles west of Frederick, and to this
point General Reno under Burnside, was pressing
hen he passed Dame liarbaras door
They were passing oil day" Mrs. II. went on TO
say, "but in the morning said to my daughter
Julia, there are so many soldiers around, go over
ana 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 We're gathered about her, and
VIII en- came she said Nhild hand me my flag.
yOu'll find 1t In my Bblcr"
In between the pages that Barbara read daily the
"silkcn scarf" was folded; little flag oftwiStCd
silk not two feet long II was not on n Stnlr so
Barbara waved it like n handkerchief The throng
increased, the men would not move on; but, break
ing ranks, were crowding around her with, "Why
mother, how nrC yOu" Hurruh for '7Gw Let's
shake hands, grandmother" &c. At this moment
q eneral Reno came up at the head of his brigade
the picture met his eye the crowded artillery the
banners horses swords, muskets, and mon, and in
the midst the vCritIble "old gray head with its
breast now beating with young heart throbs, the
bent figure in the black gown. lie rcmcd in his
horse before her "And how old Is grandmOther?"
said he Some one replied "Ninety.Sx" Ninety.
six! Haiti Three cheers for the loyal grand
mothcrl" shout went up that had some sound in
II the cGcnernlsismounted, entered the little house
with one of aids, shook hands with Barbara was
seated aud in n few moments the old lady was
pouring him out glass of wine Of her own max
ing. Goodbye was spoken and the troops passed
on; but nearly all that day the aged figure coull
be seen cheering the passing soldiers by her en-
thuslaSm. The next day came the word, "a
flower on the Union side has fallen" The brave
Reno, respected by both sides alike was killed NJ
South Mountain in an engagement whose details
of fierce contest will meyer he fully known.
The next day" Mrs, H--continued, 1--WE were
over at Ounts and went into the garden to attend
to the flowers, charging her not to open the door
ifany one raped while we were down there for
town was fun of strangers, When we returned to
the parlor she met us, quivcrin9 with excitement
Il couldn't help 1t; he would have it, | didn't
want TO give II, but he was q gentleman sGid he
: he had things on his shoulders, and wore gold
watch and chain. II was hard to draw from the
old lady that she had responded at once to the tan
upon the door. When an officer entered and
pleaded peristcntly for the little cotton fig she
had then about her that the woman will gave
wny!'.' He would have 1t, but 1t wasn't the one,
she said appcalngy"
In passing TO and from her house to her niece
| Barbara would often find her steps filed by SO'-
dicrs, for 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
:" own soldiers" her tumbcrs and dipper were
freely given but lift happened that an array of
gray uniforms were there her staH would stir in
among them ms though they were dead leaves, and
| they would scatter in every direction, amused Rt
the way she addressed them In language not at all
disguised by superhuous rhetorical hnlsh.-SpriRg.
! Gthl RCyUblicdR.