Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-01
RareStories of Great Men
Continued from page ~

Georgetown and try to persuade Mrs Key to come
away with their children and stay with me or
with Mr.. Keys father until the danger was over.
When reached Georgetown l found the English
ships still at Alexandria, and body of militia
encamped in Washington, which had been
sembled to defend the city. But it was then be-
lieved, from information received, that attack
would be made by the enemy on Washington or
Georgetown, and preparations making on
part to annoy them by batteries on shore
when they descended the river.
"The knowledge of these preparations probably
fastened their departure and the second or third
day after my arrival the ships were seen moving
down the Potomac. On the evening of the day
that the enemy disappeared, Mr. Richard West ar
rived at Mr. Keys and told him that after the
British army passed through Upper Marlboro,
their return to their ships, and had encamped
miles below the town, detachment was sent
back, which entered DR.. Bearnes' house about mid
night compelled him to rise from his bed and
hurried him off to the British camp, hardly allow
ing him time to put his clothes on; and he was
treated with great harshness, and closely guarded
and that as soon as his friends apprzed of
his situation they fastened to the headquarters
of the English army to solicit his release, but it
was peremptorily refused and they were not per.
mtted to see him; and that he had been carried
as a prisoner on board the fleet And finding their
own efforts unavailing and alarmed for his safety,
his friends in and about Marlboro thought 1t ad-
visable that Mr.. West should hasten to George
town and request Mr. Key to obtain the sanction
of the government to his going on board the
Admiraps ship, under flag of truce, and endeav-
Oring to procure the release or Dr. BearneS DeIOre
the fleet sailed. 1t then lying at the mouth
of the Potomac, and its destination was not at
that time known with certainty. DR.. Beares was
the leading physician in Upper Marlboro, and an
accomplished scholar and gentleman. He was
highly respected by all who knew him. was the
family physician of Mr.. West, and the intimate
friend of Mr. Key. He occupied one of the best
houses in Upper Marlboro, and lived very hand
somely, and his house selected for the quar-
ters of Admiral Cockburn, and some of the prin-
cipal officers of the army, when the British troops
encamped at Marlboro on their march to Wash
ington These officers were furnished with every
thing that the house could offer; and they in
return, treated him with much courtesy and
placed guards around his grounds and outhouses
to prevent depredations by their troops. But on
the return of the army to the ships after the main
badly had passed through the town, stragglers who
had left the ranks to plunder or from some other
motive made their appearance from time to time,
singly or in small squads, and DR.. Beanes put
himself at the mead of a small body of citizens to
pursue and make prisoners of them. Informa-
veyed to the English camp and the detachment
of which | have spoken was sent back to release
the prisoners and seize Dr. Beanes They did not
seem to regard him, and certainly did not treat
him a prisoner of war, but as one who had de-
ceived and broken his faith to them.
"Mr hey readily agreed to undertake the mis-
sion in his favor and the President promptly
gave his sanction to it. Mr.. John S. Skinner, an
agent for the government for flags of truce and
exchange of prisoners, directed to accompany
Mr. Key. They boarded vessel employed as
cartel in the communications with the fleet in the
Chesapeake to be made ready without delay and
making way found the British fleet at the mouth
of the Potomac preparing for the expedition