New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-20
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
IT'S STORY INTERVIEWER WITH THE DE
FENDER OF BALTIMORE"
AFTER HIS DEATH THE FLAG WAS GIVEN TO Hls
DAUGHTER GEoRGIANA WHO WAS BORN

AFTER HIS DEATH THE FLAG WAS GIVEN TO HD
DAUGHTER GEoRGIANA WHO WAS BORN
IN THE FORT
With the strains OF THE Star spapgled Banner
floating out Of every school window, echoing In
every church. assembly hall and theatre, noatins
up from the crowds Of the streets and down from
the newly opened roof-gardens the story OF the
original flag which inspired the poets muse wiz
bear repeating again.
1t in September 1914. that the famous nag
owned by Colonel George Armistead historically
known as the Defender OF Baltimore" foated
above the battements OF Fort McHenry The
bombardment by the British tegan on Tuesday.
September u. at a. m. and lasted. with but two
brief intermssons. for twenty-five hours IL was
IN the early dawn OF the second day that Francis
Scott Key. then a prisoner on one OF the attacking
British vessels. inspired TO write his immortal
lines. and
THE rockets red glare.
The bombs bursting in air.,
were indeed. proof positive to him
That our flag still there
Colonel Armistead and his men bore the attack
for hours with patience. but at length bombsheu
dsmanted OF the 2s-pounders In the SOUTH
west baston, and killed Lieutenant Claggett ana
several soldiers The ensuing confusion was
promptly noticed by the commander OF the British
feet who at once gave command for three Of his
of the enemy brought them within range OF tho
American guns, which heretofore had been useless.
and at a general cannonade from every paH
OF the fort ordered. SO successful were tness
tactics that all the ships more or less injured.
1t was estimated that eighteen hundred shells
fell about the fort during this engagement yet.
strange to relate only four men were killed. ana
only tyyenty-four were wounded. Needless to say.
the citizens Of Baltimore enthusiastic in ex-
pressing their admiration for the young hero m
command. whom they styled the Defender OF
Baltimore"
They presented him with great punchbowl OF
massive silver the bowl being as large as the iarg-
est ball that fell inside the fort. Like little WIZ
helms erandsre's comment on the battle Of Water
loo 'Tt was a glorious victory" but Colonel Arrni-
stead paid for with his life, the long hours OF re-
sponsibility leaving him with a fatal disease OK
the heart from which he never recovered.
lie was buried with all possible civic and military
honors. the procession that followed him TO his
grave being the largest in Baltimore.
over his grave erected a monument by the
people of Baltimore which was inscribed:
Colonel George Armistead. In honor OF whom
this monument is erected, was the gallant defender
British feet September %, 1874 He died universally
esteemed and regretted Oh April -, Bls. aSed
thrty-n!ne years.
So great was James Lexis admiration for this
hero that he erected to his memory fine eques-
TRAN statue In Eutaw Square, Baltimore.
The fag-nOw historic-had been presented 10
Colonel Armstead by the young women OF Balti-
After his death II was given TO his daugh-
ter. Georgiana. who was born I'm the fort. She at
/ terward married DR.. Appleton Of Boston. Mass.
city by her son. Ebenezer Appleton. and placed
/ in a safe-deposit wait