The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-12-24
The Star-Spangled Banner,

! &. The Star-Spangled Banner
| Robert Garter Il Brothers, of New Y ork, have
just published neat edition Of the poems o
Francis S. Key, esq, the gifted author of the
star-spangled Banner Most of the pieces were
in manuscript, and the enjoyment of them has
been hitherto confined to the narrow circle oI
his family and surviving personal friends. They
are preceded by letter from chief justice Ia
ney, who is brother-in-law of Mr. Key detail
| ing the circumstances originating and attending
the composition ofthe most famous of his pieces,
| the Star-spangled Banner. The letter we give
at length. This collection is edited by the rev.
erend Henry v D. Johns, of Baltimore:
WASHINGTON, 1856.
My Dear Sir:-I promised some time ago to
give you an account of the incidents in the life
of F. S. Key, which led him to write the "Star-
spangled Banner" and of the circumstances
under which it was written. The song has be-
come national one and will, think, from its
great merit, continue to be SO, especially in Ma
ryIand; and everything that concerns its author
must be matter of interest to his children and
descendants. And proceed to fulfil my pro-
mise with the more pleasure, because while the
song shows his genius and taste as a poet, the
incidents connected with it, and the crcum-
stances under which it was written, will show
his character and worth as Il man. The scene
he describes, and the warm spirit of patriotism
which breathes in the song, were not the off
springs of mere fancy or poetic imagination
He describes what he actually saw And he
tells us what he felt while Witnessing the con-
tlct and what he felt when the battle was over,
and the victory won by his countrymen Ev-
cry word came warm from bis heart, and for
that reason, even more than from its poetica
merit, it never fails to find a response in the
hearts of those who listen to it.
You will remember that in 1914, when the
song was written, resided in Frederick, and
Mr. Key in Georgetown, D. c. You will also
recoIcct that soon after the British troops re-
tired from Washington a squadron of enemy's
ships made their way up the Potomac, and ap
peared before Alexandra, which was compelled
to capltulate; and the squadron remained there
some days, plunderny the town of tobacco, and
whatever else they wanted. 1t was rumored
and believed in Frederick, that malauding
attack of the same character would be made on
Washington and Georgetown before the ships
left the river. Mr.. Keys family were still in
Georgetown. He would not, and indeed could
not, with honor leave the place, while it was
threatened by the enemy; for he was a volun-
teer in the light infantry. commanded by ma
jur Peter which was composed of citizens of
the district of Columbia, who had uniformed
themselves and offered their services t6Sthe gov
eminent, and who had been employed in active
service from the time the British fleet appeared
in the Patuxent, preparatory to the movement
upon Washington. And Mrs. Key refused to
leave home while Mr.. Key was thus daily ex-
posed 10 danger.
Believing, as we did, that an attack, would
probably be made on Georgetown we became
very anxious about the situation of his family
For if the attack was made, Mr.. Key would be
with the troops engaged in the defence; and AS
it was impossible to foresce what would be the
issue of the conflict, his family, by remaining
in Georgetown, might be placed in great and
useless peril. When I speak of we, l mean
and M h nyse 1s But f4 Was S asgsd d mshg y Us THHH Ha
J should 60 to Georgetown and try to persuade
Mrs. Key to come away with their children, and
stay with me or Mr. Keys father until the dan
ger was over. When reached Georgetown, l
found the English ships still ae Alexandra, and
body of militia encamped in Washington,
which had been assembled to defend the CITY,
But it was then believed, from information re-
ceived, that no attack would be made by the
enemy On Washington or Georgetown; and pre-
paratlons were making on our part to annoy
them by batteries on shore when they descend
ed the river. The knowlege of these prepara
tons probably FASTENED their departure, and
the second or third day after my arrival, the
ships were seen moving down the Potomac.
a., IT. tho tI,t
disappeared, Mr.. Richard West arrived at Mr.
Keys, and told him that after the British army
passed through Upper Marlborough, on their
return to their ships, and had encamped some
miles below the town, detachment was sent
back which entered doctor Beanes' house about
midnight, compelled him to rise from his bed,
and hurried him off to the British camp, hard
ly allowing him time to put his clothes on; that
he was treated with great harshness and close
" guarded; and that as soon as his friends were
apprised of his situation, they FASTENED to the
headquarters of tie English army to solicit his
release, but it was percnptorlly refused, and
they were not even permitted to see him; and
that he had been carried as prisoner on board
the feet. And finding their own efforts un
avaing, and alarmed for his safety, his friends
Ill eDou' IL e'Ni' iS'o',
that West should hasten to Georgetown and re-
quest Mr. Key to obtain the sanction of the gov
ernment to his going on board the admirals
ship, under a flag of truce, and endeavoring to
procure the release of doctor Beanes before the
feet sailed. 1t was then lying at The mouth of
the Potomac, and its destination was not at that
time known with certainty.
Doctor Beanes, as perhaps you know, was the
leading physician in Upper Marlborough, and
an accomplished scholar and gentleman. He
was highly respected by all who knew him, was
the family physician of Mr. West, and the in
innate friend Of Mr.. Key. He occupied one of
the best houses in Upper Marlborough, and Iiv-
ed very handsomely; and bis house was select
ed for the quarters of admiral Cockburn and
some of the principal officers of the army when
the British troops encamped at Marlborough
on their march 10 Washington. These officers
were, of course, furnished with everything that
the house could offer, and they, in return, trea-
ted him with much courtesy, and placed guards
around his grounds and out-houses to prevent
depredations by their troops.
But on the return Of the army to the ships,
r{+,, IL, lol.- boI r,cco1 la