The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-07-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Providence r. |. Journal.
National songs.
THE STAR sPANGLED BANNER.

THE STAR SPANHLED BANNER.
The circumstances connected with the
composition of this National Song are
given by Chief Justice fancy, the broth
er-in-law of Mr. Key, in a letter which ac-
companied late edition of the poems of
that writer.
In the campaign of the British, during
the war of 1872 with England, when they
destroyed the Capitol at Washington and
the battle of BladeDsburg took place, DR..
Beanes, a leading physician of Upper
Marlboro, was taken from his bed at mid
night, by detachment of soldiers sent
for the purpose, and without even allow
ing him to put his clothes on, wa; hurried
Of to the British camp-During the
march of the British to Washington. Ad-
miral Cockburn and other officers, had
stopped at the house of Dr. Beanes, where
they had been most Hospitality entertained
and had in return treated him with much
courtesy, and placed guards around his
grounds TO prevent depredations by their
troops. Subsequently, some stragglers
tiom the British camp returned for the
purpose of plundcr, when DR., Beanos put
himself at the head Of small body Of
citizens aud drove them Off Information
of this was carried to the Admiral, which
was the reason for making prisoner of
the Doctor
Measures were Immediately taken to
procure the release of DR.. Bcanes, who
had been sent down to the feet which lay
in the Chesapeake, Mr.. Key, who was
an intimate friend Of the Doctor, voun-
teered to accompany Mr.. Skinner, gen
( tlemsn who was IN agent for the govern
ment for flags truce and exchange of pris-
oners, They reached the feet which lay
at the mouth Of the Potomac, preparing
for an expedition against Baltimore, and
were courteously received by Admiral
Cockbuln and his officers but they found
them very reluctant to release DR.. Beanes,
who had been treated with great indignity
by them. 1t was supposed by Mr.. Key
that something passed between the Brit
ish officers and DR.. Beanes while at his
house, which, in the judgment of the
British, bound him not to take up arms
against them
Fortunately, Mr. skinner rad taken q
nunlber Of letters from the British off
GERS who were left at Bladensburg, in
which they all spoke Of the kindness anc
humanity with which they had been treat
ed, and of the attentions shown them by
DR.. Beanes. After much solicitation Mr.
Key succeeded in getting an order to re
lease the Doctor, but they were told tina
they must remain with the feet until af
ter the attack on Baltimore, then abou
to be made. They were then transferre'
to their own vessels, accompanied by
guard OF marines to prevent them frou
landing, and fortunately anchored in
position which enabled them to see dis
tinctly the flag of Fort McHerry frou
the deck Vt the vessel. The party re
mained on deck during the whole night
watching every shell, from the moment
was fred until it fell, listening wit
bereathlesA interest to hear if an explC
sion followed.
While the bombardment continued
was sufficient proof that the fort had NJ
surrendered. But it suddenly cease
when they became alarmed and paced II
deck the remainder of the night in pai
full suspense, watching with intense anx
ETY. for the return Of day, At length Il
light came, and they saw that "our fla
. was still there" And as the day advance
e they discovered, from the movements
, the boats between the shore, that the a
: tack had failed Mr.. Key, Mr.. Skim
j and Dr. Beanes were then permitted
: land, when and whore they pleased.
: Under the excitement of the time, NJ
Icy, IS he stated to Judge fancy, COZ
menced the song Of g The Star Spangl,
Banner on the dock of their vessel,