The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29

hating before my door, who shouted at
the top of his voice an imprecation on
the Union flag and ali who supported the
Union cause. He was borne off by the
dense throng, but the insult admitted of
no second thought. The flag of my country,
sacred to the memory OF my grandsires
and the best men of Revolutionary history,
was damned 20 the dust. 1t was too much.
My little daughter who had been enjoy
ing her toy flag secretly, at this moment
came TO the door, and, taking it from her
hand, l held it firmly in my own, but rot
word was spoken. Soon a splendid car
riage. accompanied by elegantly mounted
officers, approached.
As they came near the house they
caught a glimpse Of the tiny flag aud,
calling attention to the Stars and Stripes.
with true chivalry removed their hats ard
offered courtesles to the bearer: hut rot
to her standard The carriage came TO a
halt and lady, Mrs. Martha Simm. now
Mrs. James Arnold, OF Frederick, stard-
ing near other ladies Of the neighborhood.
admOnished me TO fly with my coors, but
l did not move until an officer rode up and
requested my flag, TO give to General Lee.
] afterTard learned this officer was Crn.
A. p. Hill. l refused his request and be.
with his brother officers, at length moved
or with their troops
remained resting the staff of nv flag
on the railing of the porch when a soldier
who had overheard the remarks exchanged
with General Hill stepped behind me and
with his bayonet, cut off the flag san
close to my hand. The report resembled
that of n pistol, and turning | saw him
tear my flag into pieces and stamp them
in the dust and pronounced this then and
there as the act of a coward
Among the young ladies present was
Miss Mary Hopwood, daughter of a vel
known Union citizen of Frederick. 20
seeing my flag cut down. drew concealed
flag from her sleeve and supplied its place.
In an instant the second flag was cut down
by the same man AS soon as information
was conveyed to the officers. a man ad-
vanced in years tame up and reprOved in
sharp language the person who had cut
down my flags.
Mrs. Barbara Frietchie was held in
high e7teem by the people of Frederick
City, and the ladies generally are second
to none for their devotion to the cause of
our country.
MRS. MARY A. QUANTRELLE.
Washington, d. c., February g. 1859 -
The manner in which Barbara Frietci. ( s
name came to be used in Whittier's poem L.
thus related by Mrs. Virgie Quautrelle
Brown:
at the time OF the incident related in
Mrs. Quantrelles letter she was visiting
her mother, Mrs. George W. Sands OF
Frederick, Md, whose residence on West
Patrick Street was about two squares
west of Mrs Frietchie's home. The two
incidents OF my mothers displaying the
Stars and Stripes before the Confederate
troops and of Mrs. Fretchies performing
the same act as one of homage and well
come to the Union soldiers, happening
upon the same day, the 10th of September,
caused Mrs. FTietche's name TO be used
instead of my mothers. When the Incl
dent was related TO Miss Dorothea Dix, a
matron in the hospital at Frederick, Miss
Dix treasured the story and later meeting
Mrc e D. E. n. Southworth, related it to
her who in turn, related the incident to
the poet Whittier. The identity of the he
roine has thus been wrongfully set forth
and credited by thousands. In February,
1869 there appeared in Chicago paper
letter which seemed as if q message from
the dead. II read:
~ never hear the poem of Barbara
Frietchie without suffering the guilt OF one
who is living injustice TO lady who, If
living. l ask her forgiveness; II dead. will
do duty to her memory. The North and
South are at peace; all now do honor TO
the same flag and with a keen sense of
shame / acknowledge / was the man who
cut the flag from the hands OF a lady on