River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-07-28
BARBARA FRITCHIE.
The True story of the Waving of the
OIdF lag.
Snrinpfieid Rapuhlican

IL WAS W Her own bIOOpS LIldb DtI-
bara 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,
and full of dust, and any moment
might bring the contending forces face
to face. 1t was the day before the
South Mountain battle. South Noun
tain 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 and bring
aunt across the bridge; She is all alone,
and perhaps may feel afraid"
'And did you bring her back?' said |.
"Oh. no." laughed Julia. Aunt
Fretchie was standing at the window,
nodding and smiling at the troops, who
were gathering about her, and when /
came she said. Child hand me my
flag; you'll find it in my bible!"
In between the pages that Barbara
read daily the "silken scarf was fold
ed; little flag of twisted silk not two
feet long. 1t was not on q stall, so
Barbara waved it like handkerchief.
The throng increased, the men would
not move on; but breaking ranks, were
crowding around her with, "Why,
mother, how are your" "Hurrah for
T6 p "Let's shake hands, grandmoth
err" etc. At this moment Gen. Reno
came up at the head of his brigade;
the picture took his eye; the crowded
artillery, the banners, horses, swords,
muskets and men, and in the midst
the vertible "old gray head" with
its smooth white cap, the folded
muslin over the breast now beating
with young heart-throbs, the bent fig
ure in the black gown. He reined in
his horse from before her. "And how
old is grandmother ?" said he. Some
one replied "ninety-six." "Ninety-six!
Halt The cheers for the loyal grand
motherp A shout went up that had
some sound in it; the General
dismounted and entered the little
house with one of his aids, and shook
hands with Barbara, was seated, and in
few minutes the old lady was pour
ing him out a glass of wine OF her
own making. Goodbye was spoken
and the troops passed on; but nearly
all day the aged figure could be seen
cheering the passing soldiers by her
enthusiasm. The next day the word
came, "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 de-
tails of fierce contest will never fully
be known"
''The next day." Mrs. II. continued,
"we were over at aunt's, and went into
the garden to attend to flowers charg-
ing her not to open the door if any one
raped while we were down there, for
the town was full of strangers. When
we returned to the parlor she met us
at the door, quiyering with excitement.
~ couldn't help it, he would have it,
Gidn't want to give it, but he was
gentleman" said she; she had things
on his shoulders, and wore 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 and pleaded
so persistently for the little cotton flag
she had then about her that the woman
will gave way: Gle would have it, but
it wasn't the one" she said appeal
ingly."
In passing to and from her house to
her neice, Barbara would often find her
steps covered with soldiers, for clear
spring bubbled up just opposite her
house upon the creek; and refreshed
many of both the blue aud the gray; if
it happened to be her Gown soldiers"
her tumblers and dipper were freely
given, but if it happened that an array
of gray uniforms 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 Ian
guage not at all disguised by superhu-
Gus rhetorical finish.