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

brecht, was mayor Of Frederick City. it
may be said that her Union sentiments
were bitterly denounced by her southern
relatives and neighbors and she was thus
a marked woman at that time. She lived
in a little one story and attic house on
Patrick Street near Carroll Creek. When
the Confederate Army occupied Frederick
City they infested every part OF the town
and / am told that when old Mrs. Friet-
chic passed in and out Of her house she
would denounce the soldiers lounging on
her porch. and order them to 'begone. they
paying little heed presumably on account
OF her old age.
when news reached Lee that the Union
Army under Burnside was approaching
Frederick. command was Immediately
given to evacuate the city. The troops
formed on Market Street. and marched
west. through Mil Alley and Patrick
Street to Antietam. Mrs Frietchie's house
being fully 200 yards from the line Of
march. II may be here noted that
the Confederates first entered Frederick
September 9. 1862. General Lougstret fol
lowed on the Sth Of the same month with
achievements, and on the evening Of the
10th the Union troops under Burnside
reached the city. Il was on the last men
toned occasion that Mrs Frietchie waved
a small Union flag expressive it is proba-
BILE Of welcome Of the Northern troops
General Reno was passing at the moment
and catching sight Of the flag shouted,
three cheers for grandmother and her
flag. This is the only act that can be
credited 20 Mrs Frietchie.
Prof Samuel Tyler now OF George
town, b. C.. writes. / stood on Patrick
Street and watched the passing Of the
southern troops and they did not pass
Mrs. Frietchie's house. although it was
plainly in view; and the old lady never
displayed any flag during the marching
Mrs Frietchie's nephew, Jacob Engle-
brecht mayor OF Frederick from 1864 to
1863. repudiated the act on the part Of his
aunt. who, he said. was never a party to
it. and further stated that the Confeder-
ate troops did not pass her house, and
that the only flag she possessed was lit
tie one. six by eight inches In dimen-
sions. The above declarations ! quote
from George H. Preble's History Of the
American Flag pages 37S TO 3s9. Mrs.
Frietchie died the June following the in
cidents referred to. and her remains we're
laid away by the side OF her husband, who
was as strong a Confederate partisan as
his wife was Union one.
After closing the incident Of Mrs. Fret
chic. ] insert a letter written by Mrs.
Mary OuautreIle. dated February 9. 1863
which carries with IL, believe, an assur-
ance Of the truth OF the incidents mar
rated and a conviction that the credit Of
a heroic action has long been unjusty
bestowed. This reads: On the evening
Of September 6, 1862, not a flag was to be
seen nor a citizen upon the streets; the
pulse Of business had almost ceased TO
beat aud. as friend met friend they whis-
pered with white lips OF the approach OF
the enemy. Gen. r. r. Lee, at the head
OF the Confederate Army. was marching
or Frederick, which was left, with its
women and children, TO the mercy Of the
chivalrous enemy. General Jackson en-
tered the city on Saturday, the 9Th Of
September, aud General Longstrcet. on
the following Monday. came In with The
remaining forces.
The morning Of the tenth day dawnac
upon columns OF infantry. cavalry. and ar
tillery winding their way toward Antietam.
Onward they pressed. presenting very lit
tie variety. except that some had national
flags tied TO their horses tails and trailed
through the streets as a warning to Union
lists OF what might occur thereafter.
Seated at my door, had been silent
observer Of the pageant. Music was SWELL
ing the Stars and Bars we're being waved,
and az / gazed upon brave men enduring
every degree Of danger and suffering for
what they called their rights. my reverie
was interrupted by an officers suddenly