What was old poem about a woman waving a flag and being killed for it? We memorized it way back in the 40s.?

Question

It seems it was at a parade of troops from the other side and she wouldn't stop waving her American flag.

Answer 1

This event is the subject of John Greenleaf Whittier's poem of 1864, Barbara Frietchie an excerpt of which follows;

"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 nobler nature within him stirred
To life at that woman's deed and word;
"Who touches a hair of yon gray head
Dies like a dog! March on!" he said.

Barbara Fritchie (nee Hauer), also known as Barbara Frietchie, and sometimes spelled Frietschie, (December 3, 1766 – December 18, 1862) was an American patriot during the Civil War. She was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and married John Casper Fritchie, a glove maker, on May 6, 1806.

She was a friend of Francis Scott Key and they participated together in a memorial service at Frederick, Maryland, when George Washington died. A central figure in the history of Frederick, she lived in a house that was to become a stop on the town's walking tour. In stories it is said that at 95 years of age she waved the Union flag out of her window despite opposition from Stonewall Jackson's troops, who were passing through Frederick in the Maryland Campaign. When Winston Churchill passed through Frederick in 1943, he stopped at the house and recited the poem.

Answer 2

It's a true story from the civil war."Shoot this old,grey head if you must;she said.But,spare my country's flag she said."I belive it was either Vicksburg or Richmond.She was either Confederate or Union and the troops were the opposing side.She sighted the troops aproaching her 2nd floor flagstaff,and called out to them.

Answer 3

" Shoot if you must this old Grey head
But spare your Country's flag She said. "

Barbara Fritchie was the name of this poem not certain about spelling of last name