The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-08-31
BARBARA RRI10AfEs TRUE s7oRY.


1t was to her own troops that Barbara
waved the flag inspiring them on march
that involved some of the most intense suffer-
ing of the war. The days were oppressive,
the roads sunny and full of dust, and any mo-
ment might bring the contending forces face
to face. It 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 pressing
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 soldiers
around, go over and bring aunt across the
bridge she is alone and perhaps may feel
afraid ?"
9 And did you bring her back ? . said I.
"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 will find it in my
Bible !'''
In between the pages that Barbara read
daily the silken scarf . was folded little
flag of twisted silk, not two feet long. 1t
was not on a staff, so Barbara waved it like
handkerchief. The throng increased the men
would not move on; but breaking ranks,
were crowdiug around her with, Why,
mother, hoy are you ?o Hurrah for '76 I"
" Let's 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 veritable cold gray head with its
smooth white cap, the folded muslin over the
breast now beating with young art-throbs,
the bent figure in the black gown. He refined
in his horse before her. And how old is
grandmother I? y said he. Some one replied
" Ninety-six." "Nnety-six ! Halt Three
cheers for the loyal grandmother Z" A shout
went up that had some sound in It; the Gen
eral dsmounted, entered the little house with
one 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
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 known"
I" The next day." Mrs. H. continued, eve
were over to aunt's 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
stranpars. W. ---- i---t.''aa0u w
she met us quivering with excitement. i
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 1t was hard to
draw from the old lady that she had respond
ed at once to the tap on the door, When an
officer entered ana pleaded SO persistently for
the little cotton flag she had then about her,
that the woman's will gave way He would
have it, but it wasn't the one, she said, APP
pealingly."
In passing to and fro from her house to her
niece, Barbara would often find her steps
filled by soldiers, for clear spring dubbed
up just opposite her house upon the creek,
and refreshed many of both the blue and the
gray il it CHANGED to be her " own soldiers"
her tumblers and dipper were freely given,
but if it happened that an array of gray uni
forms 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 superhuous
rhetorical finish.