Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-08-17
''The Star-Spangled Banner"

Gne nag lOf II OfJ Ncllenfy, winch III
spired Francis Scott Key to write "The
Star-Spangled Banner" died at the
age Of eighty-fve years. AT the time
Of the bombardment Of Fort McHenry
in 1914, Mrs. Sanderson, who was on
ly fifteen years old, made the flag out
Of costly silk with her own hands, and
presented it to Major Armistead, the
commander Of the fort, Just before the
British appeared in the bay. During
the subsequent engagement the flag
floated over the fort. After the war
the flag was returned to its maker,
and the original Star Spangled Ban
ner is now one Of the treasures of the
Sanderson family. The State of Mary
land has made several unsuccessful ef-
forts to buy the flag, but the venera-
bic lady could never be induced to
part with it, During the celebration
Of the 150th anniversary Of the found
ing of Baltimore in 1880. a special
committee was sent to New York to
induce Mrs. SandersGn to 90 to Balti-
more with her flag and allow it to be
displayed in the procession. Although
special car was placed at her disposal
Mrs. Sanderson, owing to feeble health
could not 90, but sent her flag, the
historic fragments Of silk being placed
in the special car in charge Of a detec-
tive.
This occurrence will recall to many
hepcculiar circumstances under which
the son, "The Star Spangled Banner"
was composed.
On the return of British to their
vessels after the capture Of Washing
ton, august "a, 1Sl4), they carried
with them DR.. Beanes, an influential
and well known physician of Upper
Marlborough, Md. His friends begged
for his release, but Admiral Cockburn
refused to give him up, and sent him
on board the flagship of Admiral
Cochrane. Francis $. Key, a resident
of GEORGETOWN, ID. G., we'll known for
his atiabiity Of manner, was requested
to 90 to Cochrane as a solicitor for the
release Of the doctor. He consented,
and the President granted him per-
mission. In company with John 5.
Skinner, a well known citizen of Bal
timore, he went in the caItel.ship Min
den under flag of truce. They found
the British ships at the mouth of the
Potomac, preparing to attack Balt-
more. Cochrane agreed to release
Beans, but refused to let him or his
friends return.
They were placed on board the Sur
prise, where they were cOurteously
treated. When the fleet went up
Patapsco Bay to make the attack, they
were sent to the Minden with a guard
Of Marines to prevent their landing
and conveying information to their
countrymen. The Minden was an
chored within sight of Fort McHenry
which commanded the entrance to the
harbor of Baltimore, and from her
deck the three friends observed the
fierce bombardment of the fortress,
which soon ensued. It ceased before
the dawn September 14th). The anx-
ious Americans did not know whether
the fort had surrendered or not. They
awaited the appearance of daylight
with painful suspense. In the dim
light of the opening morning they saw
through their glasses the star spang-
led banner yet waving in triumph over
the fort, and soon heard the fate of the
land expidition against Baltimore and
preparation of the discomfted British
for speedy departure.
When the fleet was ready to sail,
Key and bis friends were released,
and returned to the city. 1t was dur
ing the excitement of the lombard
ment, and when pacing the deck of the
Minden, between midnight and dawn,
that Key composed the popular song,
"The Star Spangled Banner" the first
stanza of which expresses the feelings
of thousands of eye witnesses of the
scene. The rude substance of the song
was written on the back of letter
which Key happened to have in his
pocket. The night after he returned to
Baltimore he wrote it out in full and
read it to his uncle, Judge Nicholson,
one of the defenders of the fort, and
asked his opinoin of it. The pleased
Judge took it to the printing Office of
Captain Benjamin Edes, and caused it
to be printed in hand bill form. Sam
uel Sands, living in 1875, set up the
song in type, printed 1t, and distribu-
ted it among the citizens. It was first
sung by Charles Durang at restau-
rant next door to the Holiday Street
Theatre, Baltimore, to an assemblage