The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-08-05


driving them off amid the cries of the
dying, to their fleet.
Previous to the fight, Mr.. Key, &C.
companied by Mr.. John S. Skinner,
had gone aboard the ship Minden to
seek the release of several prisoners,
especially that of DR.. Beans, OF Up
per Marlboro. Key obtained the re-
lease of the men and was about to
leave when he was told that he would
be detained until the attack on the
city was over. They were transferred
to the frigate Surprise and there re-
mained until the Patapsco was reach
ed. They were then sent to their own
vessel, but with a guard to prevent
their landing. They witnessed the
bombardment from their deck, on
which they remained all night Key,
a man of fine sensibility, was full of
anxiety to know the result. He
watched every she'll as it rose and fell.
The bombardment ceased before day
light, and he was all anxiety to know
the result. Till the "dawn's early
light" they paced the deck and strain
ed their vision, uncertain whether the
light would reveal the cross of St.
George or their own starry banner
floating 'er the fort
"On that shore dimly seen thro' the
mlsts of the deep,
Where the foes hau1 hly host in dread
silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze o'er
the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals,
now discloses? At last
"It catches the CLEAN of the mornings
first beam
In full glory reflected now shines in
the stream"
The patriots glad soul instantly
leaps forth in the heart-cry, the tones
of which will never die
''Tis the star-spangled banner! O.,
long may it wave
Ger the land of the free and the home
of tue brave"
The attack had failed; the wounded
and dead were being brought to the
ships; the fleet soon sailed and Key
was free to go his way. He afterward
said:
"Though l walked the deck, sur
rounded by hostile fleet, my heart
was still strong, my step firm. Through
the clouds of war the stars of that
banner still shone on my view, and l
saw the discounted host of the assail-
ants driven back in ignomity to their
ships. Then, in that hour of deliver
ance and joyful triumph the heart
spoke: Do not such country and
such defenders of their country de-
serve song? was the question. With
it came an inspiration not to be resist
ed."
Key began the verses on the deck
of the vessel where he was detained,
using the back of letter and making
brief memorandum OF the current OF
his thought. While approaching the
shore in small boat he finished the
draft. That night at his hotel in Bal
timore he wrote oat the verses as they
now stand He showed them TO Judge
Nicholson, a friend; they greatly
pleased the judge, who took them at
once to the Office OF the Baltimore
american, and had them printed for
general circulation. Samuel Sands,
an apprentice, set up the copy. He
was still living in Baltimore, in fair
health, few years ago. The Star
Spangled Banner was first sung in a
tavern adjoining Holiday Street The
atre, Baltimore, by Charles Durang,
an actor, to a tune called "Old Anac-
reon." Soon after, also, he sang it
amid great applause on the stage of
the theater. 1t took popular fancy
from the start, was speedily heard in
the streets, at the bivouac fire, indeed
verywhere, and soon won universal
reputation as national song.
Two of the sisters OF Francis Scott
Key still survived him a few years
.ago-Mrs. Howard, of Baltimore, and
Mrs. Steele, of Annapolis. Key was
a man of fine proportions, though not
tall. He carried himself erect and
had winning features, with an express
sion bordering on sadness. His voice
was musical, his statements and ad-
dresses at the bar Gle ear, and on appro-
pirate occasions eloquent. He was
the author of many verses and hymns
of merit and metrical beauty. He
was a devout member of the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church, of purest