The bee., 1883-11-24
Barbara Fritchie's True Story.

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 OPP
pressiye, the roads sunny and full of dust,
and any moment might bring the contend
ing forces face to face. 1t was the day be-
fore the South Mountain battle. South
Mountain lies twelve miles west of Fred
erick, and to this point General Reno. un-
der Burnside, was pressing when he passed
DAME Barbara's door.
They were passing all day." Mrs. H.
went on to say, but in the morning / said
to my daughter, Julia, there are so many
soldiers around, go across the bridge; and
bring Aunt over; she is alone and may
feel afraid"
And did you bring her bael?' 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'll find it in
my BibleI""
In between the pages that Barbara read
daily the "silken scarf was folded, q little
dag of twisted silk, not two feet long. 1t
was not on staff, so Barbara waved it
like handkerchief The throng increased,
the men would not move on, but breaking
ranks, were erowding around her with,
why mother, how are you?' "Hurrah
for 76w Lets shake hands, grandmOth-
er," etc. AT this moment General Reno
came up at the head of his brigade the pic
ture met his eye; the crowded artillery, the
banners, horses, swords, muskets and men,
and in the midst, the yeritable "Old gray
head, = with its smooth white cap, the folded
muslin over the breast, now beating with
young heart tbrobs, the bent figure in the
black gown. He reined his horse before
her. And how old is grandmother?' he
said. Some one replied, "Ninety- Six
1Ninety-Sixn Halt! Three cheers for
the loyal old grandmother! A shout went
up that had some sound in it; the General
dismounted, entered the little house with
one of his aids, shook hands with Barbara,
was seated, and in few minutes 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 enthu-
slasm. 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 en-
gagement whose details of fierce contest
will never be fully known.
THE next day." Mrs. H continued,
we were over at 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 strangers. When we returned
to the parlOr, she met US quiyering 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 gold watch
and chain. 1t was hard to draw from the
old lady that she had responded at once to
the tap on upon the door. Then an officer
entered and pleaded so persistently for the
little cotton flag she had then about her,
that the old woman gave way. He would
have it, but it wasn't the one,' she said ap-
pealingly'
In passing to and from her house to her
Ciece's Barbara would often find her steps
thronged by soldiers, for q clear spring
bubbled up just opposite her house, by the
creek, refreshing many, both of the blue
and the gray; if it chanced to be her Gown
soldiers her tum blers and dipper were
freely given, but if it happened that an ar
ray 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 language not at all dis
gulsed by superhuous rhetorical finish.