The Washington times., 1914-08-26

the Union. Barbara was a stanch
Unionist, and when, upon hearing OF
the approach of Stonewal Jackson
and his army. the Unionists Of the
town hid their flags; the grand old
lady nailed a small American flag
dow. Jackson came riding in at the
head of his men, and. seeing the
flag, ordered them to shoot 1t down.
They did so and the flag fell. II
was then that Barbara caught the
flag up, and, leaning far out Of her
window. waved it high above jack
sons head. crying out to him:
Shoot If you dare. but spare
the flag
jackson halted. looked up at the
brave old lady. and. to the ever
lasting glory OF the man and sold
ier. ordered his men to march on"
Gave Facts to Whittier.
That was about the way the incl
dent was related to me by Mr.. Rams
burg" said Mrs. Southworth, and
upon my son remarking. What a
grand subject for a poem by Whit
tier, mother / at once sat down and
wrote to Mr.. Whittier. telling him
the story and acquainting him with
my sons suggestion. I received an
early reply, which was as follows:
.Amesbury. 9. Mo-. s. 1863.
My Dear Mrs. Southworth:
I heartily thank thee for thy
very kind letter and its enclosed
message. It ought to have fallen
written out a little ballad for Bar
bara Fritchie," which will appear in
the next Atlantic. II it is good for
anything, thee deserves all the credit
for it,
IL wish | could accept thy kind
invitation to thy pleasant cottage
home. but l am too much of an in
valid to undertake the journey.
thank thee none the less. however,
for asking me. shall go there in
my imagination II ! cannot other
wise
= With best wishes for thy health
and happiness, / am most truly thy
I'd. JOHN G. WHITTIER
James l.. Parsons. a Washing
ton contractor. who was among the
army in gray that passed the
Fritchie home, has recently related
some rccollections to friends at Fred
eriCk. The Frederick News. refer
ring TO his "reminiscences. states:
Mr.. Parsons marched by Barbara
Fritchie's home on the day the aged
heroine defied the Confederate
: troops. and all through the lines the
troops were talking about the cpl
sode. He remembers how soldiers
pointed out the house. and the in
cident was reported to have occur
red on the morning OF that day.
Mr Parsons was a member of Stone
wall Jackson's Third Brigade
Mr.. Shope's knowledge of the fact
the story embraces man,
more than the facts quoted here. bu
merely enough are given to satisfy
T hat Stonewall jackson personally sav
the flag and remarked upon II is doubt
ed. but that is the only fact about whicl
there is any dispute or doubt.
Life of Barbara Fntchie.
OF the life of Barbara Fritchie. MI
Shope says:
She was the oldest daughter Of
Catherine and Nicholas Hauer, and
was born in 1866. At an early age
she was received into the German
Reformed Church. During the year
1871 George Washington became a
transient guest at the historic inn in
Frederick presided over by a Mrs.
Kimball. The town was alf a-hutter
and eager to do honor to the dis
tinguiShed man. 1t was the great
privilege OF Barbara Fritchie. then
Barbara Hauer. to bring her full set
Of Liverpool china-a priceless pos
session and the only one in Frederick
to adorn the table at which Wash
ington was the notable guest
At the time Of Washington's death