The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-02-24
BARBARA FRITcHIEs TRUE STORY.

IL was tD per own troops tuht DarDhra
waved the hrg, inspiring them on march
that involved some of the most intense
suffering of the war. The days were OPP
pressive, the roads sunny and full of dust
and any moment might bring the con-
tending forces face to face. 1t was the |
day before the South Mountain battle. |
South Mountain lies twelve miles west of
Frederick, and to this point Gen. Reno,
under Burnside, was pressing when he
passed Dame Barbara's door.
They were passing all day." Mr.. II.
went on to say, "but in the morning l |
said to my daugh ter, Julia, there are SO
many soldiers around. go across the
bridge; and bring Aunt over; she is all
alone and may feel afraid"
"And did you bring her back?" said
"Oh, no, laughed julia, AUNT Fritch-
lie was standing at the window, nodding
and smiling to the troops, who were
gathered all about her, and when I 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 folded, a lit
tie flag of twisted silk, not two feet long.
1t was not on staff, so Barbara waved
it like handkerchief. The throng in.
creased, the men would not move on, but
breaking ranks, were crowding around
her with. "Why mother. how are your
"Hurrah for 76!' Lets shake hands,
grandmother, etc. At this IN oment Gen
eral Reno came up at the head of his bri-
gade. the picture met his eye; the crowd
ed artillery, the banners, horses, swords,
muskets and men, and iu the midst, the
veritable 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.
"And how old is grandmother he said.
Some one replied, "Ninety-six." "Nine-
ty-six" Halt! Three cheers for the 10y
al old grandmother! A shout went up
that had some sound in it; the General
one of bis aids, shook hands with B ,r-
bara, was seated, and in few minutes
the old lady was pouring him ont glass
of wine of her own making. Goodbye
was spoken and the troops passed on;
but nearly all that day the aged figure
coul be seen cheering the passing sol'-
icrs by her enthusiasm. The next day
came the word. "A flower on the Union
side has faileu.' The braYe Reno, re-
spected by both sides alike, was killed at
South Mountain, in an engagement whose
details OF Il srce contest will never be fully
known.
"The next day. Mrs. H continued,
"we We're over ataunrs aud went into the
garden to attend TO the flowers, charging
her not to open the door il any one rap
ped while we were down ther', for the
town was full of strangers. When we
returned to the parlor she met MS quiv-
ering with excitement. 4 couldn't help
it, he would have it, l didn't want to
give it, but he was q 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 spouded at once to the rap upon
the door, Then nm officer entered aud
pleaded so persistently for the little cot
ton flag she lad then about her. that Il e
woman g,yo way. He would have
it, but il wasn't the one, she said appeal
ingly."
In passing to and from her house to
her hiece's Barbara would often fnd her
steps tbrongei by soliiers, for a clear
spring buhbled mp just opposite her
house, by tie creek, refreshing many,
both of the blue and the gray; if it
Glanced to be her town 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 we're dead
leaves. and they would scatter in every
direction, amused at the way she Rddresf
ed them in language not at all disguised
by superhuous rhetorical finish.
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