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Understanding the Effect of Setting
The words "pleasant morn" help the reader understand
before the arrival of
the troops.
Up from the meadows rich with corn,
Clear in the cool September morn,
The clustered spires of Frederick stand
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.
Round about them orchards sweep,
Apple- and peach-tree fruited deep,
Fair as a garden of the Lord
To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,
On that pleasant morn of the early fall
When Lee marched over the mountain wall, -
Over the mountains winding down,
Horse and foot, into Frederick town.
- "Barbara Frietchie,"
John Greenleaf Whittier

"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.

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.