Sept. 16, 2010

Speaker: Steven R. Stotelmyer
Subject: The Real Barbara Fritchie

"Shoot me, if you must, this old gray head, But spare my country's flag," she said.
With these often-quoted lines from John Greenleaf Whittier’s famous poem, “Barbara
Frietchie,” Dame Barbara as Whittier called her became a Civil War legend and one of
Fredrick’s best-known folk heroes. Local historian and author, Steven R.
Stotelmyer, will discuss Frederick’s own Barbara Fritchie and explore the myth vs.
the real woman. Steve will also discuss Gen. Jesse Reno, known as a
“soldier’s soldier,” who died in the Battle of South Mountain.