Yesterday, in American History

[Bull Snipe]

Barbara Frietchie

Up from the meadows rich with corn, Clear in the cool September morn,

The clustered spires of Frederick Stand, Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.

Round about them orchards sweep, Apple and peach-tree fruited deep,

Fair as a garden of the Lord, To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,

On that pleasant morn of the early fall, When Lee marched over the Mountain wall,

Over the mountains winding down, Horse and foot, into Frederick town.

Forty flags with their silver stars, Forty flags with their crimson bars,

Flapped in the morning wind; the sun Of noon looked down, and saw not one.

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;

Bravest of all in Frederick town, She took up the flag the men hauled down;

In her attic window the staff she set, To show that one heart was loyal yet.

Up the street came the rebel tread, Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.

Under his slouched hat left and right, He glanced: the old flag met his sight.

“Halt” – the dust-brown ranks stood fast. “Fire” – out blazed the rifle blast.

It shivered the window, pane and sash; It rent the banner with seam and gash.

Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff, Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf;

She leaned far out on the window-sill, And shook it forth with a royal will.

“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country’s flag,” she said.

A shade of sadness, a blush of shame, Over the face of the leader came;

The noble nature within him stirred, to life at that woman’s deed and word;

“Who touches a hair of yon grey head, Dies like a dog! March on!” he said.

All day long through Frederick street, Sounded the tread of marching feet;

All day long that free flag tost, 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 Frietchie’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 Barbara Frietchie’s grave, Flag of Freedom and Union, waved

Peace and order and beauty draw, Found thy symbol of light and law;

And ever the stars above look down, On thy stars below in Frederick town!

John G. Whittier

[IronJack]

Leave it to Whittier to enshrine a moment noble on both sides of the battle line.

[credo 2]

Thanks for posting - I love this poem.

[Verginius Rufus]

Today in American history: Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

[catman67]

Don’t let them make a movie out of it. She’ll be clutching her pearls instead of the flag!

[Fiji Hill]

Barbara Frietchie is a striking contrast to Colin Kaepernick.

[originalbuckeye]

I remember this from when I was young. My dad used to read poetry to me. Whitman was a fave, especially O Captain, My Captain. Thanks for posting.

[Bull Snipe]

We read this poem in Junior Hi American Lit. may years ago.

[Mollypitcher1]

In grade school, from second grade onward, we always had special pageants where students would play famous characters from history. One year my best friend played Barbara Fritchie and I was Stonewall Jackson. I think it was third grade, but could have been fourth, not sure. Great way to learn history.