Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1926-04-07
historic MYTHS

While the veteran mas many Times
called attention to the false founda-
ton on which Whittier's poem on
Barbara Frietchie" is based, and
has given proof that the old lady was
bedridden and physically incapable
of waving a flag in the manner de-
scribed. that myth hobs up now and
then in some form. The latest IL
the motion picture of that name
which is being shown all over the
country, even in the extreme South.
and evidently without protest from
Southern people. although its effect
will be as harmful in creating the
wrong impression of Stonewall jack
son and soldiers of the Confederacy
as was "Uncle Toms Cabin" in CIV
ing the wrong impression is slavery:
However. Capt. w. w. Carnes, OF
Bradentown. Fla, states that ne has
brought this before the local Chap
ter u. d. c., and Daughters Of the
Confederacy everywhere should be
interested in suppressing the picture.
Captain Carnes brings out some
good points on several of these his
toric myths. starting with the famous
barbara. Of which he wrote to the
Evening Herald. at Bradentown:
1.-THE advertisement and exhibition
of the film play, Barbara Frietchie,'
brings to mind an old war myth
originating in a poem by Whittier
that was long ago shown to be with
out foundation.
at is never too late to contradict
a falsehood, and the proved facts
are that the Confederate troops did
not pass Barbara Frietchie's house in
marching through Frederick, Md. on
the evening of September 8, 1862.
General Jackson had been severely
injured by fall off his horse on the
9Th. was not with his division when
it marched through the town under
command of General Starke, and he
did not go into Frederick until the
morning of the 10th, when he start
ed his army on the march to Har-
per's Ferry.
81 will now quote from the letter
of Mr.. Valerius Ebert, nephew of
Barbara Frietchie. written in COM
menting on a publication in the Bal
timore Sun Of alleged facts on which
Whittier's poem was founded. He
wrote: i have just read communi-
cation to the Sun purporting to set
forth certain facts in relation to the
life and character of the late Bar
bara Frietchie. the heroine of Whit
tiers celebrated war poem. 1t may
not be improper to state that / am
the nephew of "Dame Barbara"
and had the settling up of her hus-
bands estate in the capacity of ad-
ministrator. This necessarily threw
me into frequent communication
with the aged and venerable dame.
Barbara Frietchie. my venerable
aunt, was not a lady of twenty-five
summers, as your correspondent al
leges. but an ancient dame of nine
ty-six winters when she departed
this life. Nor did she depart this
life in September, 1868. but died on
the 18th of December. 1862. Now,
a word as to the waving of the Fed
eral flag in the face Of the Rebels by
Dame Barbara on the occasion of
Stonewall Jackson's march through
Frederick. Truth requires me to
say that Stonewall Jackson. with
his troops, did not pass Barbara
Frietchie's residence at all; but pass
ed up what is populariY called Ine
Mill Alley" about three hundred
yards above her residence, then pass
ed due west toward Antietam. and
thus out of the city But another
and still stronger fact with regard to
this matter may be here presented
viz: the poem by Whittier represents
our relative (then ninety-six years
of age) as nimbly ascending to her
attic window and waving her small
Federal flag defiantly in the face of
Stonewall Jackson's troops. Now
what are the facts at this point ?
Dame Barbara was at the moment OF
the passing of that distinguished
General and his forces through Fred
erick. bedridden and helpless, anC
had lost the power of locomotion
She could at this period only move
as she was moved. by the help OF
her attendants. These are the tru,
and stern facts. proving that Whit
tiers poem upon this subject is fic
ton, pure fiction. and nothing else
without even a semblance of fact