Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-08-15
THE Star-Spangled Banner"
TIE WOMAN DEAD WHO MADE TIE FLAG
THAT INSPIRED THE SONG.

THE WOMAN DEAD WHO MADE TIE FLAG
THAT INSPIRED THE SONG.
In New York, July 29th, Mrs. Mar
garet Sanderson, the lady who made the
flag for Fort MclIcnry, which inspired
Francis Scott Key to write "The Star
spangled Banner" died ut the age of
eighty-flve years. AT the time of the
bombdidment of Fort McHenry, IN 1914,
Mrs, Sandcrson, who was ouly 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 APP
pcared in the bay. During the subse-
quent engagement the flag iloated over
the fort. After the war the flag was re-
turned to Its maker, and the original
Star-spangled Banner is now one of the
| treasures of the Sanderson family. The
State Of Maryland has made several un-
successful efforts to buy the flag, but the
venerable lady could never be induced
to part with it. During the celebration
of the l50th anniversary Of the founding
of Baltimore in 1880, II special commit
tee was sent to New York to induce Mrs
Sanderson 10 80 to Baltimore with her
flag aud allow it to be displayed in the
procession. Although n special ear was
placed at her disposal, Mrs. Sandcrs0n,
owing TO feeble health, could not 20, but
sent her flag, the historic fragments Of
silk being placed in the special car in
charge Of detective.
x,stII To
the peculiar circumstances under Which
the song, ",rhe Star-spangled Banner )"
was composed.
On the return Of the .Brtisli to their
vessels HflHi tie capture Of Washington,
August ~, l5lI,) they carried with
them DR.. Bcancs, AN Influential and we'll
known physician of Upper Marlborough,
Md. Ills friends begged for his release,
! but Admiral COCkhurn refused to give
him up, aud sent him on board the llNg-
ship OF Admiral Cochranc. Francis ).
Kew, n resident Ot George own, ID. G.,
well known for his ailjlbility of nlulincr.
was requested to so to Coclrlnc us SOL
ictor for the release Of the dortor. lie
consented, and the President granted
him permission. company with John
5. Skinner, "a well known citizen OF Bal
Ilmorr, he went IN the carte l-ship Mln-
den lnICler Nag Of truce. Tliey found
the British ships at the mouth of the Po-
tomnc, preparing to attack Baltimore.
COrhrAnc agreed to release Bcangs, but
refused TO let him or his friends. return.
They were placed OF board the sur
prise, where they were coultcously
treated. when the fleet went up Pat
npsco Bay 10 make the attack, they were
sent to the MInden with u guard OF ma
rlnes to prevent their landing ana con-
vrying Information to their cOunlrymen
The Alinden was anchored within slghl
of Fort Mcllcury, which commanded
the entrance to the harbor Of Baltimore,
and from her deck the three friends OBJ
served the fierce bombardncnt Of the
fortress. which soon ensucd. IL ceased
before the dawn (Seplcmbcr l1ll). The
anxious Americans did not know Wheth'
oy the fort had surrendered or not
They awaited the appearance ol dny-
llght with painful suspense. In the ann
liuht of The opening morning they saw
through their glasses the star-spangled
banner yet waving IN triumph oyer the
fort, and soon heard the fate OF the lahd
expcdillon against Baltimore ana prepa-
ration of the dacomltcd British for
speedy departure. 49,.
When the fleet was ready to sail, Key
aud his friends were released, Nnd re-
turned TO the city, II was during the
excitement of the bonlbardmcnJ ana
,vben pncing the deck Of the Mlnden,
botween midnight aud dawn, that Key
con,noged the popular song, "Iho star
snanglcd Hammer" the first stAnzl ot
whlr6 expressed the feelings of thou
s,nIs of eyc witnesses OF the sccnc'---
The rude substance OF the song WHs
written on tho back Of lettor Wnloh
I{ey happened to have In bis poreet,I1
Tho night aftcd he returned 10 BAN
,nnre he wrote IL ont IN full and read u
90 hIs uncle, Judge Nicholson, one OF
,Ir defenders of The fort, and asked his
oninion of II. The pleased Judge took
NJ "a lhr nrlnting oillco Uf Captain Ben,
,on,in Edos. and cnuacd u TO be prillteu
!" % hand lin form. Samuel Sands, NV,
i"g In 1870, SET mp The song IN type, ana
n,intsd n hnd distributed " among lhe
niu,cns. II was first sung by Charles
! nuruuu Nt n IphlNW"h' w. =. ,.t-'.... A..
iioiIdny street Thcatcr Baltimore 70
an nssr,nblnge or patriotic defenders o.
baltimore. and after that nightly W I ,nG
'rn"atcr, and everywhere tn pubIic a""
private ..,.,.,.,,
| - ..,. ,nn you SEQ by tho dawl'H gnilI lNnnk ,Ls
| V\tt,, so proudly We hailed NJ tho tNihsu'
Inst plcHuingf- .,-,. .t... thp,,tuh
,,,,.,an h,ond slrince aud bright etare tnrousn
WV ,be purilous light, ,.,.., -. ,,.iiantiy
,,.t tba rampnfts we wntchcu ~ s'"""'"
HlreamlnHl
| ,oa ,bo rockets red glare tho bombs bursting
h,ts ~ trsot alT. through tho night that our iiag
VS. s'ln M, sisr. .spunelod baunor yot waye wiy
/ y onls, ihs land Of the free ANA tue honiVo' '"o
brayai
a., aha, ,pors, dIrnly seen through the ni''' o.
n.iss 'ss ,dss 80 tfoet baurl,y host in dread sl-
,,, rness ,ss, Witch tho broese' ocr tho tower
,aSs,TNytlows now donecnl'' nov dp-
tcscsf
/ t,s a chiche. the CLEAN OF 'uo n0'u"'s
= Gag' IISry ISr~ reflected now shines on the
49,, .a ,s s,c,alT banncrl .. long may II
e6e,9,,,a sf the free nnd The homc Of the