John Greenleaf Whittier, “the Quaker laureate of Puritan New
England,” and by some considered the most distinctively American
poet, was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, December 17, 1807.
Whittier was prominent among the anti-slavery agitators, and during
his early manhood gave much of his time and strength to the
interests of the cause. He took up his permanent residence at
Amesbury, Massachusetts, in 1840, and lived there, and at “Oak
Knoll,” in Danvers, during the remainder of his life. “Of all our
poets,” says Mr. Stedman, “he is the most natural balladist.” He is
seen at his best in such ballads as “Cassandra Southwick,” “Mary
Garvin,” and “The Wreck of Rivermouth,” and in the New England
pastoral, “Snowbound.” He died at Hampton Falls, New Hampshire,
September 7, 1892.
It was during the march of “Stonewall” Jackson’s command through
Frederick City, Maryland, just before the battle of South Mountain, in
September, 1862, that the incidents which inspired this poem are said to
have occurred. Their truth having been questioned, Mr. Francis F. Browne
appealed to Mr. Whittier, and in November, 1885, received from the poet
the subjoined statement:--“Of the substantial truth of the heroism of
Barbara Frietchie I can have no doubt. Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth, the
novelist, of Washington, sent me a slip from a newspaper stating the
circumstance as it is given in the poem, and assured me of its
substantial correctness. Dorothea L. Dix, the philanthropic worker in
Union hospitals, confirmed it. From half a dozen other sources I had the
account, and all agree in the main facts. Barbara Frietchie was the
boldest and most outspoken Unionist in Frederick, and manifested it to
the rebel army in an unmistakable manner.” In spite of Mr. Whittier’s
belief in the truth of the incident, its authenticity has been seriously
questioned in later years.
“Stonewall” Jackson (Thomas Jonathan), one of the most brilliant
generals on either side in the Civil War, was born in Clarksburg, West
Virginia, January 21, 1824. He graduated at West Point, and was twice
breveted in the war with Mexico. At the beginning of the Rebellion he
took command of the Confederate troops at Harper’s Ferry. He commanded a
brigade at the battle of Bull Run, where he gained the sobriquet
“Stonewall” on account of the firm stand he made. After a series of
brilliant victories, he was mortally wounded by some of his own men when
returning from a reconnaissance after the battle of Chancellorsville. He
died on the 10th of May, 1863.
=Line 10.= =Lee=, Robert Edward, the Commander-in-chief of the Confederate
forces during the Civil War, was born at Stratford House in Virginia,
the home of the Lees, on January 19, 1807. Like Jackson he was a West
Point graduate, and like him served with distinguished bravery in the
war with Mexico. At the close of the Rebellion, he was chosen president
of Washington College, at Lexington, Virginia. His death occurred on
October 12, 1870.