"Barbara Frietchie" is a narrative poem written by Whittier in a setting of Civil war that was taking place then. It is a rhythmic poem written in ballads, i.e, couplets.
Step-by-step explanation:
This poem is completely based on a background of Civil war where there are soldiers marching, troops are getting ready for the fight, civilians are waiting for a better day to start and how the weather conditions are, at the time of the war.
The poet talks about the nature being the same though people have been fighting in a war against each other. When he writes about the hills and the orchids, he is trying to talk about the environment that suffered too but bloomed back with a hope that everything shall be alright later. With starving comrades - famished rebels, still we look forward to fight for our nation.
Though it is a pleasant morning, there will be war and there will be bloodshed - is what the setting explains.