The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-06
Barbara Fnetchie Controversy.

BARBARA fnetchie Controversy.
Did the Barbara F'TIetchie incident real
~ occur, or was the pretty story simply
the fruit OF Walters poetic in,agfna-
ton! After enduring for a good many
years this romantic tradition. which was
supposed 70 be 50 closely allied Il his
forieal fact has been attacked ana vel
nigh demolished.
The latest person Of authority 10 take
hand in SCATTERING the ideal OF Wait
tiers, pleasing poem was Gen HENRI
kyd Douglas, who says he accompanied
the famous rStoEewa1' Jackson w-hen
that generals troops marched into Fred
erick.
According TO General Douglas and a
dispatch from Lancaster. Pa. where the
heroine OF the controversy was born.
Dame Barbara Was IS years old when the
''dust-b-own ranks" Of Jaekson's men
passed through Frederick town.
The record in the First Reformed
Church Of Lancaster tells that Barbara,
daughter OF Nicholas Hauer and Cath
arine." was born in Lancaster on De
cember 3, 1855, and was baptized in that
church by Rev. William Hendel on De-
cember Ii Of the same year, Mrs Bar
bara Gambler acting as sponsor for the
infant.
This date accotds with the age asc-ibed
10 Barbara at the time Of the war Incl
dent by Gen. Douglas.
1t must be confessed even BY the most
ardent hero-worshipers that an old lady
OF ninety-six could not shake nag very
vigorously though under the exciting cir
eumstances recounted by Whittier
Whittier,
Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then.
Bowed with her four-score years and ten.
The poet did not take such license
with her age, therefore, as he did with
the physical possibilities Of that age.
But did Barbara really wave the aag
with these familiar words:
Shoot. If you must. this gray old head
But spare your country's flag" she saId.
And was the gallant jackson moved 10
reply:
Who touches hair OF yon gray head
Dies Ike d dogl Move on he said.
Gen. Douglas says not, and declares
that ne was with Cen Jackson o.. his
entry into Frederick. that the Southern
commander had 10 be carried IN an am
bulance and never even passed Barbara
Frietchie's house
On the other hand. Senator McComas.
OF Maryland. has said that he saw the
flag which Barbara waved. Other men
have sworn that the incident was true.
one Douglas Hargett asserting that his
father witnessed the episode SIN fur
Their evidence on this side has been sub
mited by John II. Abbott, who SAYS that
his wife stood at Barbara Frietchie's side
While she waved the flag
y life of Winters heroine, written by
Henry NJ. Nixdorf. al old citizen Of
Frederick, and neighb0r OF Dame
Frietchie, contains the following:
As much that is utterly false has been
published concerning my friend,-and
neighbor. Mrs. Barbara Frietchie. since
the appearance of the wonderful poem
barbara F'rietchie.' by that great and
justly distinguished poet. John c. Whit
tier. deem it duty. as one who loved
her, for the many excellent traits Of
character that she possessed. as well as
having been for many years her friend
and we'll acquainted with her for a long
time, to tell the public what / know OF
this worthy lady.
Mrs. Southworth, the distinguished au-
thoress. who was in Washington at the
time, was the person who wrote to the
poet concerning this estimable lady, and
inclosed a newspaper slip relating 70 Bar
bara Frietchie's action, while Gen. Lees
army entered Frederick, and this led to
the preparation by the poet Of that won
derful poem"
Mrs. Frietchie was intensely patriotic.
according % this historian. who goes on
TO describe what he personally knows OF
the alleged flag Incident:
when the Confederate army led By
Generals Lee. Jackson and others. enter
eC- Frederick City, on Saturday morning.
6. 1862, it is said that as they
came marching UP East Patrick street
Gen. Jackson was in command, a least
for some time. II Is certain that their
appearance did not occas on the uprising
Of the people that the Confederate gen
erals had been led TO expect on Mon
day. September s, Gen. Lee issued his
proclamation TO the people OF Maryland
calling on them to join the South. Tho
invitation, however. did not receive the
slightest response.
on Wednesday morning. September -.
lS52 the Confederate army commenced
10 move out Of Frederick City
Gen. Jackson's corps was In the adj
vance. As they passed out West Pat
rick street l stood IN the front win
low Of my dwelling. looking AT regiment
after regiment. clad in gray or brown
uniforms, as they marched past for sew
srai hours. So. intent was ! watching
hat I lost sight OF what was z ing on
II Mrs. Freitchie's But this ] do be-
ieve. that II the opportunity were pre- |
'ented TO wave the flag she did, not fl /
70 improve II, for ! do not think she
you'd have taken backward step
hough confronted By their entire army" !
The controversy is as pretty "a the /
tory.