Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-14
ITS ANNIVERSARY DAY
NATIONAL ANTHEM WRITTEN
NEARLY A CENTURY AGO.

Today is the ninety-first anniversary Of
the birth Of the national anthem, THE Star
Spangded Banner"
September is particularly a patriotic
month"; for, besides giving this country odd
Glory" 1t also gave the national anthem,
and on September 8, HIT. the American flag
was first unfurled in battle and received its
initial baptism OF blood and fire. This was
at Cooch's bridge, Delaware. where stone
memorial marks the spot on which the
memorable conflict was fought.
At the meeting of the United American
Mechanics today at Typographical Temple
the matter was referred to, and one of the
members gave a description of "Old Gory's'
baptisn1.~
This battle took place between the British,
under Gen. Howe, and corps of light In
fantry from Gen. Washington's army, COM
manded by Gen. Maxwell. September 3.
1777; and significant as 1t now appears tho
bearers OF the red. white and blue were
routed
The many people who have supposed that
the flag first met the smoke Of war on the
CORY field of Oriskany Del. August D. It'll,
seem to be discredited. 1t Is related by w.
H. Richardson that this new national en-
blem imprOvised from a white shirt and old
blue jacket Of a soldier and some stripes
from his wife's red petticoat, was hoisted
as a signal of victory on Fort Stanwix after
In other words. the flag was for the first
time ION view at Oriskany and 'In busi-
ness" at Cooch's bridge.
British Commanders Design.
Gen. Howes design in landing at Elkton
was to march on Philadelphia. His plans
were made known to Washington, and 80.
for the purpose Of harassing the invaders
in every possible way, a corps Of picked
light infantry was placed in charge of Gen.
Maxwell. The first collision occurred at
Cooch's bridge, over the Christiana creek.
AS the Americans were overwhelmingly
outnumbered by the British division under
Lord CORVALLIS. and the enemy was
supplied with artillery-an arm which was
altogether lacking in MaxwelIs party
they were forced to retire, losing forty
killed apd wounded. The British loss was
three killed and nineteen wounded Corn
wallis headquarters were in the fine old
house seen in the background Of the pic
ture. This mansion, still In the Cooch fam
lily. was built in 176O by the great-great-
grandfather of the present owner
The story of how Francis Scott Key was
inspired to compose The Star Spangled
Banner" September A. 1914 is a part of
American history.
Native Of Maryland.
The author was a native of MARYLAND
His father was a revolutionary soldier, and
he was reared in an atmosphere Of loyalty
and patriotism He was for many years
district attorney at Washington, and was
also interested in military affairs. On the
date above mentioned he, with a companion
had been sent on board one Of the British
Heet to secure the release of a friend. His
mission successfully accomplished he was
Informed by the British commander that
they would not be permitted to leave the
vessel until the surrender of Fort McHenry
which, he boastfully added, would be in
a few hours.
All day long, and far into the night, Key
listened with the greatest anxiety to the
booming of cannon and bursting Of shot
and shell. When darkness settled down
upon them and they could no longer see the
distant fort, the question was often on his
lips; rs the flag still there?"
At length the firing ceased and all was
quiet. Was our beloved flag torn down and
dishonored, or had the enemy been forced
to abandon the attack?
Washington city had been burned a few
weeks before, and if Baltimore should also
fall how terrible would be the consequences!
The time seemed interminable, but the long
est night has an end and at last the rosy
tinted horizon heralded the approaching
day.
Hearts Filled With JOY.
Eagerly they turned their glasses toward
the fort and strained their eyes in that d.
rection. The sight filled their hearts with
joy and gratitude. for, floating triumph
antly In the morning breeze, they beheld
the star spangled banner still calamity
streaming The enemy was retreating, de-
feated. and the victory was ours!
In the rapture of the moment the words
OF the song came into the mind of the poet,
and We're hastily jotted down the back
OF letter. Reaching Baltimore he ar
ranged them for the printer and, on Septem-
Der n, they appeared In print in the Balti
more American and We're received with ac-
cla cation by the people.
No song ever sprung into such sudden and
permanent popularity. 1t is today known
the world around as the national anthem as
we'll as the battle song of the intrepid
An erican fighters.