Barbara Frietchie
Barbara Frietchie
JOHN G WHITTIER
3197
Barbara Frietohle was an aged lady of Frederick,
Md, of German birth, but intensely patriotic In
September, 1862, when Lee’s army was on its way to Antietam,
“Stonewall” Jackson’s corps passed through
Frederick, and the inhabitants, though a majority of them were loyai, resolved not to pro- voke the rebels unnecessarily knowing that they could make no resistance to such a large force, and accordingly took down their flags; but
Dame Bar bara though nearly to see the fla rebel ensign, 80 years of age, could not bear of the
Union humbled before the and from her upper window waved her flag the only one visthie
Dame Barbara died in 19ON In Frederick that day
“Who touches a Dies like a dog! hair of yon gray head March on he said
All day long through Frederick street
Sounded the tread of marching feet
All day long that free flag torsed
Over the heads of the rebel host
Ever its torn folds rose and fell
On the loyal winds that loved it well
And through the hill gaps sunset light
Shone over it with a warm good night
Barbara Frletchle’s work is o’er
And the rebel rides on his raids no more
Honor to her! and let a tear
Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall’s bier
Over Babara Frictchle’s grave
Flag of freedom and Union wave
Peace and order and beauty draw
Round thy symbol of light and law
And ever the stars above look down
On thy stars below in Fredericktown!