The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-04
RAyENN THURSDAY, DEC. a, 1856.

uuIs ulteT ne leit U.S. uhu We were oeCoHHie
uneasy about him, when, to our great joy,
he made his appearance at my house, n'his
way to join his family. .e III ''.-.7 =
He told me that he found the British feet
at the mouth Of the Potomac, preparing for
the expedition against Baltimore. He was
courteonsly received by Admiral Cochrune,
and the officers Of the army, as well as. the
navy. But when he mede known his busi-
ness, his application was received so coldiy
that he feared it would fail. Gen, Ross and
Admiral Cockburn, .who accompanied the
expedition to Washipgtcn-especially the
latter-spoke of DR.. Beanes in very harsh
terms, and seemed at first not disposed to
release him. 1t however happened, fortu-
nately, that Mr.. Skinner carried letters from
the wounded British officers left ui Bludens-
burg, and in these letters to their friends on
board TIE feet they all spoke Of the hnmani-
ty and kindness with which they had been
treated after they had fallen into our hands.
And after good deal of conversation, and
strong representations from Mr.. Key, as to
the character and standing of Dr., Bcanes,
ard the deep interest which the community
in which he lived took in his fate, Gen
eraI Ross said that Dr. Beanes deserved
much more punishment than he received;
but thnt he felt himself bound to mike re.
turn for the Kindness which had been shown
to his wounded officers, whom he had been
compelled to leave at BIadensburg; and on
that ground, md that only, he would release
him. But Mr. Key was at the same time
informed that neither he, nor any one else,
would be permitted to leave the fleet for
some days; and must be detained until the
attack on Baltimore, which was then about
TO be made, was over. Bat he was assured
they would make him and Mr.. Skinner as
comfortable ds possible while they detained
them. Admiral CoehrQne, with whom they
dined on the day of their arrival, apolosized
for not accommodating them with his own
ship, saying that it was crowded already
with officers of the army; but they would
be well taken care Of in the frigate Surprise,
commanded by his son, Thomas Cochrane.
And to this frigate they were accordingly
transferred. %
Mr.. Key had an interview. with DR.,
Beanes before General Ross consented to
release him. I do not recollect whether he
was on board the Admiral's ship on the Sur
prise, but believe it was the former. He
found him on the forward part of the ship,
among the sailors and soldiers; he had not a
change of clothes from the time he was seiz
ed; was constantly treated with indignity by
those around him, and no officer would speak
to him. He was treated as GU prit, and not
as prisoner of war. And this harsh and
humiliating treatment continued unit he was
placed on board the cartel. s..,.,., ,5.,..l
Something must have passed when the
officers were quartered at his house, on the
march to Washington, Which in the judg-
ment Of Gen. Ross, bound him not to take
up arms against the English forces until the
troops had re-embarked. 1t is impossible,
on any ground, to account for the manner in
WHICH he was spoken of and treated. But
whatever General Ross and the other ttfi
GERS may have thou ght, | am quite sure that
DR.. Beancs did not think that he was in
any way pledged to abstain from active hos.
tilities against the public enemy. Ant
when he made prisoners of stragglers, he
did not think him elf to be violating any
obligation he had incurred. For he was a
gentleman OF unstained character and nice
sense of honor, and incapable Of doing auy.
thing that could have justified such treat.
ment. Mr. Key imputed the i'll usage, he had
received to Admiral Cockburn, who, it is
still remembered, while he commanded in
the Chesapeake, carried on hoStiIities in a
vindictive temper, ussailing and plundcrin2
defenseess villages, or countenancing such
proceedings by those under his command.
Mr.. Key and Mr.. Skinner continued on
board the Surprise, where they were very
kindly treated by Sir Thomas Cochrane
until the fleet reached the Patapsco, and ore
parations were King for landing troops
Admiral Cochrane then shifted his flag tc
the frigate, in order that he might be able
to move further up the river, and superin
tended in person the attack by wafer on the
fort. And Dir. Key and Mr., Skinner were
then sent on board their own vessel, with Z
guard Of suilors or marines, to pFevcntithen
from landing They we're Permitted to take
DR.. 3eanes with them, and they thought
themselves fortunate in being anchored in Il
position which enabled them to see distinct
~ the flag OF Fort McHenry rom the dccl
of the vessel. He proceeded then will
much animation, to describe the scene on thu
night of the bonn bardmcnt.h He and Mr.
Skinner remained on deck during the night
watching every shell, from the, moment j
was fired until it fell, listening with breath
less interest to hear il an explosion follow
ed. s' ,u2teS9'Ge. SA,iima = aoi3'"39
While the BON mbardment continued it wa
sufficient proof that the fort had not eurren
dered. But it suddenly ceased some, tim,
before ay-and as they yhad no commnnica
ton with any of the enerny's ships, the!
did not know whether the fort had surrender
| al or the attack unol it been Abandoned. -