The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-11-15
THE REAL BARBARA FRTETcHIE
The Success OF New Play ReyiyeB an
Old Controversy
Chicago Times Herald.

/
fact which IL woven into the poetry Of
Whlttlers famous ballad. SO far no
one seems 10 remember that whittier
himself. in a letter 10 the Century,
written shortly before his death. ac-
knowledged that the incidents M he
gave them were not historical. lie had
received in good faith a story sent him
by Mrs. y. ID, N. SOuthworth. the
novelist. She had clipped II out Of n
newspaper. The incidents us he mar
rated them followed as closely as pos
alble the account given In the Dewspl-
per slip. Many years afterward he
learned that the report was erroneous
lie does not sccm. however. 20 have
over learned thai II was erroneous only
In confusing two events. Barbara
Frctchie did exist. and was associated
With the waving OF Union flag In
congratulation OF Union. not In de-
iinnce OF confederate army II was
also true that Union flag was Haunted
In the face OF stoncwall Jackson. but
not by Barbara Frietchie
Here are the true facts In the case:
H. September. 1862. General stonewall
Jackson had been ordered TO capture
the Union garrison al Harpcr's Ferry.
His troops went into camp near Fred
crick. Md on the 10th day they moved
ana passed through the town. Barbara
Freitchie was an enthusiastically loyal
old lady. nearly 90 years OF age, living
at the time on Patrick street Neither
Jackson nor any Of his men passed
through that street. Lee did. but no
flag was waved before him.
But there was living on the line OF
Jackson's march another devoted Tn
ion woman. a Mrs. Mary A Quantrell.
whcse husband was compositor In the
ofiics Of the National Intelligencer OF
Washington. Mrs. ouantrell was at
that time u woman OF as. black-haired
and very pretty. ON the day that Gen.
stonewall Jackson passed through
Frederick she and her little daughter
Virgle were standing at the gate OF
their house They had several small
Union flags. which they had brought
there TO wave as the confederate SOL
that nag," but the little girl kept wav-
irg small hag many OF the conred-
crate soldiers called out. throw down
that fag!" but the little girl kect way-
ing H. Suddenly a lieutenant drew
his sword and cut the stan in two the
flag falling to the ground. The little
girl then waved another. This, too.
was cut from her hand Then Mrs.
Quantrell waved larger flag IN a
conspicuous manner until Jackson and
his men had marched pass the house.
she was not molested Some Of the
officers raised their hats 10 her, say.
ing. ITO you, madam, not your flag"
Such is the story as IL was told In
the Baltimore Herald OF Sep, %, 1854
by Joseph Walker, who subsequently
became virgle's husband
But Mrs. Barbara Frietehie had a
flag and she did wave II. though not
on the 9th. to Jackson's men, but on
the 18th to Burnside's, who followed
fast upon the confederate heels Again
relative OF the heroine tells the true
story, This was Mrs, Frietchies niece,
Mrs, Abbott,
jackson and his men, she informs
us, had been In Frederick, and had
left short time before. We We're
GLAD that the rebels had gone and that
our troops came. My mother and
lived almost opposite aunt's place, She
and my mothers cousin, Harriet Youer,
lived together Mother said l should
20 and see aunt and tell her not to be
frightened You know that aunt was
then almost 96 years old. When |
reached aunt's place she knew almost
as much as | did about matters. and
, Cousin Harriet was with her. They
were on the front porch and aunt was
leaning on the cane she always carried,
When the troops marched along aunt
waved her hand. and cheer after cheer
went up from the men as they saw her.
Some even ran into the yard. God
bless you, old lady Let me take you
by the hand May you live long, you
dear old soul, cried one after another
as they rushed into the yard. Aunt
being rather feeble, and in order to
save her as much as we could, Cousin
Harriet Youer said: Aunt ought to
have flag to wave. The flag was
hidden in the family Bible, and cous-
in Harriet got it and gave 1t to her.
Then she waved the flag to the men,
and they cheered her as they went by.
She was very patriotic, and the troops
all knew her"