Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-08-09
History of the Star Spangled Banner.

History of the Star Spangled Banner.
The minute circumstances attending the
origin of the "Star Spangled Banner,' which
was written during the war of 1912, by Fran
els Key, Of Maryland, are thus graphically
narrated by lady writer, who obtained her
information direct from friend and guest
of the DR.. Beans, who, as will appear, was
intimately associated in the history Of the
song: ta.
DR.. William Beans lived on his estate in
Marlborough, where he dispensed his hospi-
talities after the liberal and hearty fashion of
an old Maryland cavalier, a class which, like
that of the "old Virginia gentleman" has
been gradually dying out this age past. TO
love his country and hate the English, was
the doctors creed and code, and he let slip
no opportunity to toast the one and drink
confusion to the other. Among his most
valued friends was Francis Key, Esq, the
eminent jurist and poet. When the English
troops were en- route across the country to
Washington, they birouached on DR.. Beans
estate; the officers being handsomely enter
tained by him in his house, for to him the
"name of guest and stranger gave sacred
claim to the best of everything he had, so
that during the exercise Of his hospitalities
he forgot his enmity toward the nation of his
guests. After mutual courtesies on both
sides, the doctor and his self-invited guests
parted in the morning, one to resume his cher
ished and loyal antipathies, the.others .to'pro-
coed with sword and fire brand to lay waste
the capital of the country. One day ru-
NOR came that the English troops had burnt
Washington. Shortly after, while DR.. Beans
and several congenial spirits were sitting
over their wine, negro rushed in with the
tidings that the British troops were retreat
ing from Washington and were in few
miles of the place. Nothing authentic or
particular had been heard of their operations
since their departure, the facilities for the
transmission of news being of the most prim-
tive kind, and constantly impeded owing to
the state of the country. The only inference
that our party could draw from this sudden
news was, that there had been a battle in
which the English had been beaten and rout-
ed. and were now retreating in confusion to
their ships, which lay off Annapolis, under
the broad pennant of Admiral Cockburn.-
Filled with patriotic enthusiasm, the doctor
proposed an adjournment to romantic
spring near the house, with lemons and other
ct ceteras, necessary to concoct the favorite
libation which they intended to pour out, to
celebrate the news. This was forthwith
agreed to; and in a short time the carousal
was inaIgurated and conducted with spirit.
Patriotic speeches and toasts were The S,,,,cr
OF the Gay, and 50 well were the host and his
guests occupied that they scarcely noticed
that the slanting rays of the sun announced
its setting. Suddenly three foot-so dusty
and weary English soldiers made their ap-
pearance on the scene, in quest of water.
Truth must be told. Punch had made
these old cavaliers, who had won laurels in
the revolution, more than valiant, and they
conceived the brilliant idea Of claking pris-
oners Of war of the enemy, which, with the
assistance Of their servants, they succeeded
in doing, and conveyed them to the Court
| House for safe keeping, locked them in, and
placed guard over them, and returned home
to sleep on their laurels. But 10! at mid
night DR.. Beans was reused from his slum-
bers by furious knocking at his hall door,
the sound of hoofs on the graveled drive,
and the barking and yelping of hounds -
The mystery was soon explained The Eng
lish soldiers had been missed. The officer
in command thought that they had deserted,
and detachment was sent in pursuit They
were traced to DR.. Beans neighborhood,
where some of the frightened folks, who had
heard of the exploit Of the evening, gave in
formation which led to the release of the i'm
prisoned Britons, and the arrest of DR.. Beans
who was taken from his bed-barely allowed
time to clothe himself-forced at the point of
the bayonet to mount horse, and made to
accompany the party, strictly guarded, to
annapolis, where he was thrown into con-
finement on board Of Cockburn's ship. His
treatment here was none Of the best. He
was not allowed the smallest privileges Of
parole, and was entirely cut off from all com
munication with his family and friends. All
this was characteristic of Admiral Cockburn,
who, will always be remembered in history
as the demon of the Chesapeake
But DR.. Beans friends were not idle The
whole country side was reused and indignant
and application was made to the president of
the United States to authorize some plan for
his release After some delay, the president
appointed Mr.. Key to proceed with a FLAG Of
truce to the British admiral, and propose an
exchange of prisoners, including of course,
Dr. Beans. But by the time Mr.. Key arri-
we'd at Annapolis, Cockburn's fleet had
moved up the bay, entered the Patapsco RI
yer, and lay off the harbor preparatory to
making an attack on Baltimore. Mr.. Kew
returned to Baltimore as speedily as the slow
facilities for travel at that time allowed him.
and inpatient to obtain the release of his
friend, he lost no time in seeking al, inter
view with Admiral Cockburn, and present
ing his credentials He was courteously re.
ceived, and invited to dine with the admiral
and his officers. At the table, he learned by
the conversation around him that Fort Nc.
Henry and the city Of Baltimore was to be
bombarded that night. He had heard rumors
OF this the day before, but the time Of attack
was uncertain. After dinner, as a great fav-
or he requested the Immediate attention Of
admiral Cockburn to his dispatches, that he
might return ashore accompanied by his
friend before nightfall. But he was biandly