I found this interesting article in my meanderings through The News and thought everyone might enjoy it. I remember there being a controversy over Barbara Fritchie or someone else defying the Confederate Army with a Union flag. The News - BALLAD OF NANCY CROUSE, Page 3 - Thursday, July 19, 1906 Thrilling Incident of Civil War Recorded in Verse. Mr. T. C. Harbaugh, a well-known journalist, whose home is at Canstown (?), Ohio, records in verse in the Middletown Valley Register, a thrilling incident that occurred at Middletown in the early part of September, 1862. At that time Geo. Crouse, Sr., a baker, lived in a house with a long covered porch, which stood on the site now occupied by Geo. C. Rhoderick's dwelling, just opposite the M. E. church. Mr. Crouse was a warm Union man, while his neighbor, Samuel D. Riddlemoser, who conducted a hotel in the corner property recently purchased from the E. C. Herring estate, by Dr. A. A. Lamar, was a rabid Southern sympathizer. Mr. Course's daughter, Miss Nannie, then but 17 years old, now the wife of MR. John H. Bennett, of Frederick, was equally strong in her Union sympathy and every day would fling a large American flag to the breeze from a second story window. This annoyed Riddlemoser and he taunted her frequently, telling Miss Crouse that her "rag" would come down some day. Early in September a detachment of Confederate cavalry rode into Middletown and seeing the flag floating proudly in the breeze, halted in front of the house. A dozen of the cavalrymen quickly dismounted and were rushing up the steps of the porch to tear the flag down when Miss Crouse, who was a beautiful and superbly formed young lady, stepped out on the porch with her chum, Miss Effie Titlow, now Mrs. Effie Herron, of Washington, D. C. Miss Course demanded of the Confederates what they wanted. "That damned Yankee rag," said a big trooper, moving toward the door as if to enter the house and tear the flag down. Miss Crouse anticipating the rebel's intention, with a taunt sprang past him, rushed up stairs, hauled down the flag and, draping it about her form, returned to the porch, looking the very impersonation of the Goddess of Liberty. Again the Confederate demanded "that damned Yankee rag." Again was his demand refused. Drawing a revolver, the brutal soldier placed the barrel at Miss Course's head and swore he would kill her if she did not surrender the flag. "You may shoot me, but never will I willingly give up my country's flag into the hands of traitors," boldly declared Miss Crouse. Again the demand was made with drawn revolver and seeing that the odds were against her Miss Crouse finally handed the flag to the captain, who tied it around his horse's head and rode away. A detachment of Union Cavalry was notified of the occurrence and they pursued and captured every man except the captain. The flag was secured and returned to Miss Crouse. You've heard the story of nancy Crouse, The Valley Maid who stood one day Beneath the porch of her humble house And boldly defied the men in gray; Over Catoctin's lengthening ridge, Out from many a bosky glen, Down the pike and over the bridge, Booted and spurred, rode Stonewall's men. Under the spires of Middletown Glinted many a rebel gun; The dear old flag, they said, must down, Nor flaunt its folds in Autumn's sun; Mighty legions clad in gray Cursed the banner of the stars, And o'er the hills and far away Streamed the standards of the bars. Nancy Course looked out and saw The old flag floating on the breeze, Emblem fair of truth and law; Then as suddenly she sees Foam-flecked steed and rider stem Who the standard has espied; With an oath his hot lips burn, For the flag he turned aside. >From the house the maiden springs, Grips the flag and round her form Wraps it while the cool air rings With the portent of the storm; With an oath the wretch in gray Tries away the flag to tear, Whilst the girl's eyes seems to cry; Bold, defiant: "If you dare!" Closer to her form she claps The beauteous flag our fathers gave, And the rebel's oaths and gasps Threaten her with early grave; "Not for you!" her words rang true, "Not for you this banner fair; You wear gray, its friends wear blue, It was blessed with many a pray'r." With a final curse and threat Rides the rebel far away, And the flag once more is set Over the porch to taunt the gray; Smiling, Nancy sees the horde Vanish down the village street; Gleaming gun and swirling sword Once more in the distance meet. Honor to the Maryland maid Who the banner saved that day, When through autumn sun and shade Marched the legions of the Gray; Middletown remembers yet How the tide of war was stayed, And the years will not forget Nancy Crouse, the Valley Maid. Gone are Stonewall's legions true Battle drums have ceased to beat, And the Banners of the Blue Wave not in the village street; But the years on Nancy brave Will of praise bestow the need; Time for her will honor crave, And the world will hail her deed! _________________________________________________________________ FREE online classifieds from Windows Live Expo – buy and sell with people you know http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwex0010000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://expo.live.com?s_cid=Hotmail_tagline_12/06