The San Francisco call., 1898-05-29

&
 Frederick, Md, is unveiled
 Almost every one knows the words of the Star Spangled Banner" and many are well acquainted with the history of the author, but comparatively few know anything concerning the where abouts of this famous flag, which is now owned by the grandson of Colonel George Armistead, historically known as the "Defender of Baltimore" He was in command of Fort McHenry in 1914 and owned the star-spangled ban ner that fioated over it and the sight of which inspired Key to write his im- mortal lines. During the bombardment Key was prisoner on one of the at- tacking British vessels
 l The bombardment began on Tuesday, September F, 1874, at ' a. m. and lasted twenty-five hours with but two brief intermissions.
 Colonel Armistead although but 35 years of age, had so great an influence | over the men that they bore the attack with great patience, but at length a 1 bomb bshell dismounted one of the twen- | tyfour pounders in the southwest bas- | tion. This killed Lieutenant Claggett l and several soldiers. The confusion caused by the work of the bomb was | promptly noted ly the commander of the British fleet, who immediately or dered three of his bomb vessels to move nearer the fort
 Colonel Armistead was we'll pleased at this move of the enemy as his guns | had thus far been useless owing to the fact that they did not carry far enough. He waited patiently for the vessels to come within r nge and then ordered | general cannonade and bOmbardment | from every part of the fort. So successful were his tactics that | all the ships were injured and the Ere | bus so seVerel t,-2t it required quite a fleet of small boats to tow her be- yond the reach of Armistead's guns. It was estimated that between 1900 and 1900 shells fell during the engage ment around the fort, and yet, strange l to relate, but four men were killed and the twenty-four who were wounded all | recovered.
 During the first part of the assault shell fell into the magazine but did not explode The fact that the maga- zine was not bomb-proof was known only by Colonel Armistead. Had the soldiers been aware of this they might have refused to have remained in the fort.
 The citizens of Baltimore were enthu- siastic in expressing their admiration and appreciation of the bravery of the young colonel whom they styled "the defender of Baltimore" They present. ed him with a great punch bowl, with cups, ladle and salver, all of massive silver. This gift is now owned by one of Colonel Armisteads grandchildren. The bowl is as large as the largest ball that fell inside the fort.
 It was a glorious victory, but the young hero paid for it with his life, for with numerous chances against him he faithfully sustained the siege and won a victory and a name. But the fearful sense of responsibility during those long hours left him with fatal dis ease of the heart, from which he suf- fered for three and a half years. He was buried with all possible military and civil honors, the procession that followed him to the grave being the largest ever seen in Baltimore, and all mourned the defender of Baltimore"
 The people of Baltimore erected monument, on which is inscribed:
 Colonel George Armistead. in hon.
 or of whom this monument is erect
 ed, was the gallant defender Of
 Fort McHenry during the lombard
 ment of the British fleet, Septem-
 Der 13. 1874. He died universally
 esteemed and regretted on April %,
 1918, aged 39 years.
 So great was James Lick's admiration for this hero that he erected to his memory a fine equestrian statue in Eu- taw Square, Baltimore.
 After his death Virginia presented to his son, Christopher Hughes Armistead, a sword, on which was inscribed these words: "The. State of Virginia to Col onel George Armistead. Honor the brave. Presented to the son of Col onel George Armistead Qate of the army of the U. $. Al, as an evidence of the high esteem and admiration en- tertained by his native State for the courage and soldier-like conduct of Colonel Armistead at Niagara, and in the gallant defense of Fort McHenry September IA, 1914"
 The flag that floated over the fort during the engagement and now so famous as the Star Spangled Ban ner." was the private property of Col onel Armistead. having been presented to him by several ladies in Baltimore
 After his death it was given to his daughter, Georgiana Armistead, who was born in the fort. She married a Dr. Appleton from Boston, Mass, and five years ago the banner was placed in a safe deposit vault in New York City by her son. the present owner, MT. Ebeuezer Appleton