Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-12-05
From the y. Y. Star
The Star-Spangled Banner"
How The famoa. National Song anne
so be Written.

IL has often been asked how The Star
Spanglcd Banner" came TO be written.
The following article on the subject. from
the pen of Mr.. j. Fairfax Mclaughlin, is
published In the Journal of the Fur. and
contains many facts bearing on the qucs-
tlons that are new TO the general reader:
When the British army and marines, un-
der Gen. Ross and Admiral Cock burn, de
barked from their ships at Benedict, In Au-
gust, 1914, to attack the Capital of the
United States, they marched inland through
Prince Georges County, Maryland. On
the route 10 Bladensburg the enemy passed
through the villages Of Nottingham and
Upper Marlboro, resting for some time at
the latter place. :.
DR.. Beanes was the leading physician in
Upper Marlboro, and an accomplished
scholar and gentleman. He was highly re-
spected by all who knew him, was the fam
lily physician OF Mr.. West, and the Intimate
friend Of Mr.. Key. He occupied one OF the
best houses in Upper Marlboro, and lived
very handsomely, and his 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
Marlboro on their march to Washington.
The British forces, sfter leaving Marl-
ican troops at Bladensburg, only three or
four miles out from Washington, and. aiter
a sharp battle, routed the Americans and
put them TO precipitate flight. The flight
! became a panic, in which the people OF
Washington partook with the army, every
| body going on helter-skelter, as II the only
| object in life was TO put the greatest possi-
bic distance between himself or herself and
| the Red Coats. :.
AFTER burning the Capitol, the Presidents
house, the public buildings, and other pro-
perty, and committing other barbarous
acts, the Vandals returned hastily to their
ships on the Patuxant River. The main
| body of the British army had passed
through Upper Marlboro on their way
| back to Nottingham, when the inhabitants
! OF the former place were subjected to an
| irruption by stragslers who had lurked in
the rear for purposes of plunder. These
| free-booters committed SO many eXcesses
| that DIR. Beanes placed himself at the head
| OF a small body OF the citizens OF the neigh
| borhood, and going out in pursuit of the
stragglers, overlook them and made them
prisoners. When the news of this affair
reached the British commanders, they de-
cided to retalate on DR.. Besnes. and sent
back a strong body of soldiers to Upper
Marlboro. A detachment entered the Doc
tors house about midnight and hurried him
out of bed, hardly allowing him time to
dress himself.
Francis Scott Key, man of rare accom-
plishments, aud of much poetical genius.
was at that time practicing law in Mary
land, and resided in Georgetown. Be-
tween himself aud DIR. Beanes there exist
ed a warm personal friendship. and he ap-
piled to President Madison for leave to go
on board Admiral Cockburn's flagship.
under nag of truce. TO procure. if posi-
Bile, the release OF his friend before the fleet
sailed. The President promptly sanction.
ed the mission. Mr.. Key was accompanied
by Mr.. John S. Skinner, the Ameracan
agent tor the exchange Of prisoners. They
reached the British fleet at the mouth OF
the Potomac. and found the enemy prepar-
ing for the expedition against Baltimore.
They were received 10 a respectful man
ner by Admiral Cockburn. But when Mr.
Key made known the object of his mission
his application was met with coldness. and
he almost lost hope Of its success.
Gen. Ross At length said that he was
sensibly moved at the kindness of the
Americans to his wounded officers and
soldiers Ia their hands, and, on that ac-
count. while he thought DR.. Beanes' con-
duct deserved greater punishment than he
had received, he would consent to his re-
lease.
Mr.. Key was informed, however, that
neither himself nor any one else would be
allowed to depart for several days, until
after the impending attack on Baltimore
had taken place. The flagship was
crowded with officers of the army. and Ad.
miral Cockburn transferred MIR. Key and
Mr.. Skinner to the frigate Surprise. COM
msnded BY bis son, Sir Thomas Cock burn.
Here they remained until the hostile fleet
had entered the PsDtapsco. and the troops
were landed to march on Baltimore, while
tho fleet moved up toward the city. The
Admiral nor transferred bis flag tO the
| triSste. 10 order that he might move furth-
efGp the river, and superintend in person
the aitad3 on Fort McHenry. Mr.. Key
and ssr. Skinner were pat OF board Of their
own vessel. t0sether with DR.. Beanes, who
thus far had Been treated like . culprit.
subjected 70 many indignities, and not Al