The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-04-06
Written for the Citizen.)
BY CHARLES L. SHIPLEY.

Of the varied poems emanat-
ing from the facile pen of the late
John G. Whittier, none have
been more widely read and caus-
ed more comment and contro-
versy than his famous war time
poem of "Barbara Frietchie."
AT the time of it's conception
it was accepted by the world at
large as describing in beautiful
verse spirited scene which oc-
Cured in Frederick City, on Sep
TENDER 10, 1862, upon the pas
sage of the Confederate Army
through that place before the
battle of Antietam.
After thorough sitting of the
facts, however, it has been
proven that the event and the
parsonage who was the central
figure of the same are clearly
myths in regard to their connec-
tion together. Barbara Frietchie
did exist, but was in no manner
connected with the romantic and
mythical scene as described in
verse by Whittier. That the
poem described scene that never
occurred is proven by the state
ment of different persons who re
sided at that period in Frederick,
and in giving our article to the
public we append below their
statements, the scene that gave
birth to the poem. the poem it.
self and the personal statement
of Whittier himself.
There was at one time going
the rounds of the press, a state
ment signed by Gan Ex Confed
crate" a statement that he was
one of Jackson's men, who at his
order fired upon Barbara Fret.
chie's flag, but this statement
has been fatty contradicted by a
number of persons, among whom
is Gen. Ii. Kyd Douglas, who
was with Gen. jackson at the
time. Here is what Gen. Doug.
las says on the subject:
GEN. DOUGLASS ACCOUNT.
"Jackson's corps crossed the
Potomac into Maryland Septem.
Der 5, 1862, and on that day an
admiring civilian presented him.
with a large gray horse. The
next morning, when he tried to
ride him, the horse became un-
manageable, and in rearing, fell
back upon the General, who was
so severely hurt that it was some
time before ne sufficiently recov
cred to be moved. He was then
placed i'll an ambulance, and
turned his command over to Gen.
eral ID. ii. Hill. Jackson stop.
ped about three miles south of
Frederick, and established his
quarters in Best's Grove, as did
also Generals Lee and Longstreet.
He did not go to Frederick that
day, and certainly was not "rid.
ing ahead of the rebel horde.n
which passed through Frederick
to the other side. While en-.
camped near Frederick he kept
closely in his tent, seeing very
few of the many citizens who
called to see him. On Sunday
night he asked Majors Douglas
and Morrison, of his staff, to 90
to church with him. There being
no services in the Presbyterian
Church he went to hear DIR. Zach.
arias, at the Reformed Evangel-
ical Church, and as usual, went
to sleep. On the morning of the
10th Jackson's corps was put in
motion, and the General went to
Frederick in an ambulance and
then mounted his horse. While
the army was passing through
ne rode with Major Douglas to
the house of the Rev. DR.. Ross.
the Presbyterian minister. and
left note for him. That being
done he went directly and by the
shortest cut to the Hagerstown
pike and put himself at the head
or the column. Nothing like
that which is related by Mr..
Whittier ever occurred, and Gen
eral jackson and Barbara
Frietchie never saw each other.
In reading of the tear which
Whittier would drop on Stone
wallis bier for then sake of Mrs.
Frletchie one is reminded of
mark Twain weeping at the tomb
of Adam.n
THE VERSION OF GEN. BRADLEY
L. JOHNSON.
The following is from the facile |
pen OF General Bradley Il. John.