- Barbara Frietchie's defense of the American flag and the death of a Union soldier in battle bring a tribute from both sides.
- Outside of the Fritchie house in 1861, the Stars and Stripes are flying from the flagstaff. Next door, at the country store , some loungers are hanging about as Barbara Fritchie comes out on the porch. The group of men are excitedly reading an article in the paper in Lincoln's answer to secession is a call 50,000 troops. While the men are arguing, the old lady's grandson, Byron, comes up the street, dressed in the uniform of a West Point cadet. he hands his grandmother a telegram from General Winfield Scott, discontinuing his furlough and orders him to report in 24 hours. The group of men approach and pointing to the newspaper, question Byron as to how he is going to stand in the coming struggle. In answer he shows the message from his superior officer, points to his uniform and to the emblem on his cap, then saluting the flag, raises his hand in oath. The secessionist lower the Stars and Stripes and rise a flag of the Confederacy. Byron goes into the house, reappears in full uniform ready for Washington. As he bids his grandmother farewell, she takes a mud-stained flag, gives it to him, bidding him to be true it. Our following scene shows a battlefield where the Union forces are fallen back, their flag is torn to shreds and falls to the ground as its bearer is killed. Byron Fritchie rushes forward, grabs the flag and leads his comrades up the slope to victory. In the performance of his duty , he gives up his life. The body is returned to Barbara's home. She kneels beside it, takes the blood stained flag from his bosom. Suddenly she listens, and goes to the window. The street is crowded with people waving Confederate flags. As she appears on the balcony waving the Stars and Stripes, the people below hurl stones at her, breaking the window, etc. The soldiers level their guns at her, when General Jackson appears on horseback. He raises his sword, orders them to march on, then saluting Barbara, continues on the march. Our closing scene is a beautiful tableau , showing Barbara kneeling over the body of her grandson. Then like a spirit appears in turn, General Lee, General Scott, General Grant, and above all, General George Washington.
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By what name was Barbara Fritchie: The Story of a Patriotic American Woman (1908) officially released in Canada in English?
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