The Anaconda standard., 1899-12-06

the report was erroneous. He does not
seem, however, to have ever learned
that it was erroneous only in confusing
two events. Barbara Frietchie did eX-
ist and was associated with the wav-
ing of union flag in congra tulation of
union, not in defiance of a confeder-
ate, army. 1t was also true that
union flag was flaunted in the face of;
Stonewall Jackson, but not by Barbara
F'rietchie.
Here are the true facts in the case:
In September 1862, General StonewalI
Jackson had been ordered to capture
the union garrison at Harper's Ferry.
His troops went into camp near Fred
erick, Mo. On the sixth they moved
and passed through the town. Barbara
Trietchie was an enthusiastically loyal
old lady. nearly GO years of age, living
at the time on Patrick street. Neith-
er 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 union
woman. a Mrs Mary A. Quantrel.
the office of the National Intelligencer
of Washington. Mrs. Quartrell was at.
that time a woman of 325 black haired
and very pretty. On the day that
StonewaIl Jackson passed through
Frederick she and her little daughter
V lrSle were SLdIIulllS dI llle Sate OIL
their house. They had several small
union flags, which they brought there
to wave as the confederate troops
passed by. AS Virgie stood waving a
small flag many Of the confederate sol
diers called out Throw down that
flag!' hut the little girl kept waving It.
Suddenly a lieutenant drew his sword
and cut the flag in two. the flag falling
to the ground The little girl then wav-
ed another. This, too, was cut from
her hand. Then Mrs. Quantrell waved
a larger flag in conspicuous manner
until Jackson and his men had marched
past the house. She was not molested.
Some of the officers raised their hats to
her saying, ITO you, madam not your
flag
Such is the story. as it was told in
the Baltimore Herald of Sept. 30, 1884,
by Joseph Walker, who subsequently,
became Virgie's husband.
But Mrs. Barbara F'rietchie had
flag and she did wave its though not
on the sixth to JacEson's men, but on
the 18th to Burnside's, who followed
fast upon the confederate heels. Again
q relative of the heroine tells the true
story. This was Mrs. Frletchie's niece,
a Mrs. Abbott.
jackson and his men" she informs
US. had been in Frederick and had
left short time before. We were glad
that the rebels had gone and that our
troops came. Mr. mother and 1 lived al
most opposite aunt's place. She and
my mothers cousin, Harriet Youer, liv-
ed together. Mother said I should go
and see aunt and tell her not to be
frightened. You know that aunt was
then almost So years old. When reach
ed aunt'S place she knew as much as
! did about matters, and Cousin Har-
riet was with her. They We're on the
front porch and aunt was leaning on
a 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,
cid lady Let me take you by the
hand May you live long. you dear
old SOUL cried one after the other. as
they rushed into the yard. Aunt being
rather feeble, and in order to save her
as much as we could Cousin Harrie-
Touer said. Aunt ought. to have flag
10 wave The flag was hidden in the
family bible, and Cousin Harriet got it
and gave it 10 aunt. Then she waved
the flag to the men and they cheered
her as they went by. sac was very pat
riotic and the troops all knew of her"