The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-10-29
The Star.spangIed Banner-That Too
Numerous Flag,

WASHINGTON, ID. c. October Is 1882.
To the Editor Of The Sunday Herald:
SIR: If the sprightly correspondent, wri-
ting from Fort McIIenTy, whose letter appeared In
your journal of the 18th ult, is serious In suggesting
the probability that the casualties the assault may
have necessitated the of more than one flag dur
ing the bombardinent OF that fertilization In 1914.
the undersigned, who witness TO the conflict
ventures to profer his testimony In opposition u
the theoretical suggestions COurteOusly advanced I'm
support OF the possible authenticity OF conflicting
statements which have obtained currency respecting
tine possession of that flag by several different per.
sons Your correspondent thinks It perfectly rea
sonabe to suppose that many flags shot down, ~
ETC. IL Is much more reasonable TO suppose, without
directly mpeaching the yeracity OF reputed owners
OF the flag, that they were the victims OF deception.
AS but one flag wasused, all Of them, save one, must
have been deceived; and as respects the lady who Is
reported to have Inherited the nag from the gallant
commander OF tie fort, major Armisead It may be
remarked that 1t was not the custom Of that day for
the commander OF fort or Of ship 10 appropriate
trophy of that kind to his own or family use
such trophies were sent to and preserved
by the proper department OF tile Govern
ment; and after the writer Of this com
nunlcatiOn removed To Washington he was Informed
ny the custodian OF the trophies Of the war of 1872
that the 'veritabe Nag that waved over Fort Me-
Henry wa amongst those under his care. The depo-
STORY at that time was In Of the brick buildings
on Seventeenth street, nearly opposite the Navy De.
lartment II IL was ever there the record ought TO
chow II, ana show also whether II has been removed
ana ny what authority But whether ever there or
not the writer hereof can ruthfuliy afTm that one
and the same nag waved Fort McIIenry during
the whole OF that prOtracted assault II was neither
0tdOwn nor hauled down. The writer heheld It from
early morn OF the 18th Of September unt after night
and again beheld 1t at daylight the next morning and
until after the departure of the hostile fleet ii WAS
new nag OF unusually large dimensions, and though
II suffered some damage including two large rents
II continued TO float trlumphanty and denatly from
the beginning to the end Of the Siege II IL had been
shot down aud replaced Maj. ArmiBtead would have
regarded such an Incident worthy OF notice In his
orical report as the dsmOuntng OF one Of his guns,
but, while mention IL made of the latter nothing Ia
said OF the loss of flag "
Thus much IS volunteered, " for the sake of historic
TRUTH " In response TO the Invitation " y0ur CORE
spohdent, VINO, II may be- added has not correctly
given the name Of the hOnOTed author VI the patriotic
lyric known az the ''Star-spangled banner. -
Francis b. Key mot william S. was the author N
that thillllng poetic production. And your CORE
spohlehl mas been led Into another error In saving
mat fort 'nYlngton fell I'm for ltg share Of gb1i
anu shell No shot or shell of the enemy fell within
mile OF that work, which was situated q mile ana a
quarter on more from Fort McHenTy. II was a cir
GUAR bllck f0rtlnoatiOn mounting seven guns con-
structed west OF the - Ferry Bar In order Ia nre-
vent baTges OF other small craft Of the enemy from
entering the lake known as "SpTlng Gardens i,
OF the city aud this service Il CALAMITY performed
In connection with tho " City Battery, mounting
six guns, an earthwOrk that was afterward tbTown
up iOI tue same purpose east Of the - Ferry Bar
~ was under the guns Of these works that the mid
night stoTDins party Of the enemy attempted 10 land
Tor me purpose OF making an assault the rear Of
Fort Mclienry, being it6 western land Side which
was otherwise unprotected. The Invaders were
severely punished aud their plans frustrated by lha
warm reception given them by these Qualifications and
thesouthwest battery " Fort McIlenTy.
II there ba living any other Interested witness OF
inc eleuts herein mentioned he VIII confirm what is
above written.
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