Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-18
The Real Barbara Frietchie.

ington revival, a Lincoln revival and
several others, and now Barbara
Frietchie is having her turn. In times
past doubt has been cast upon the
existence of the heroine of Whittier
stirring verses, and the playwright has
taken the liberty to transform her
into beautiful young lady who
finally dies at the hand of her jealous
lover. a Southern soldier,-as II any
American soldier Northern or South
ern would do such an act. But the
truth of history cannot always De
hidden and time is vindicatinS the
Quaker poet as regards the loyal old
woman who waved her countrys lag
over the heads Of the rebel host.
II come about through the claim of
Frederick, Maryland, for an allowance
of 5000. 900 from the government. this
being the sum extorted by the rebel
army in its raid. The citizens of Fred
erick have been urging their case be-
fore the House committee on claims.
A strong feature Of the presentation of
the claim was the portrayal of the
enthusiastic patriotism illustrated by
Barbara Frietchie. The Washington
correspondent Of the Boston Journal
writes an interesting account of the
hearing.
In the first place, one Col. Colds
borough established the fact of the
existence and identity of Barbara
Frctchie by testifying that he had
known her well. Moreover, the
Colonel said that he was certain
Mrs. Frictche, who was intensely
patriotic. had waved the flag as the
Confederatcs retired from the city As
the Confederates under Jackson slowly
retired at one end Of the street. the
Federals under Burnside entered at
the other end Of the street Mrs.
Frietchie flung the flag to the breeZr
as the Confederates withdrew, ana thu
Fedrrals cheered il as tn " entered tn"
town. An officer on Burnside's staff
witnessed the episode. and wrote to
Whittier about it. and the poet OBJ
tanned from the postmaster Of Fred
erick the information on which h.
based the story
This testimony was substantially
c5rroborated by every member of the
delegation except AN elderly man, J.
c. Hart" who testified that he knew
Mrs Frietchie very well, and had
often seen the flag in the house. but
that he was under the impression
that not Barbara, but another wo-
man. who lived few doors away.
waved the flag" This caused the
other members Of the delegation to
give went to strong expressions Of
disapprovaT-p some Of the
air-ripping Oaths that generally orna-
ment the unctuous Southern dialect.
However. the disturbing statement
by the elderly sceptic was offset by
the testimony Of the county clerk,
whose father witnessed the episode;
had often told him of seeing the Old
woman. her scanty gray locks flowing
in the wind. supporting the flag while
the Confederate troops marched be-
low" and even more decisively by the
testimony Of one John II. Abbott, who
averred that his wife had stood with
Barbara Frietchic while she waved the
flag. and that he had the flag at home,
framed and hanging on the WALL
Apparently Whittier has been Vindi
Gated and Barbara Frietchie further
| honored. Senator Depew says that it
was worth $200.000 to have the ques-
ton thus definitely settled" Yet.
after all. the testimony of the citizens
Of Frederick amounts. in the lump
| only to fine loyalty and intense pride
| in a town made famous by a strong
toned poet. Only one thing is certain:
deserving or undcserving, Barbara
Frietchie cannot be robbed Of her
| fame.