Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-05-12
FORT EHENRYA SILENT POST
HistOriO spst Rendered Useless for Modern
kiEtayy Uses.
IHOHTMIzeD IN SONG. AND sTOM
There the ~stAr spaaEisA Ba.A@S
Proudly Die RISsk SAA
Fling DenAass ~ the
RnARY.

Fort McHenry, the Star spangled Ban
ner'' post Of Baltimore, has been aban-
doned for military purpose, the gates
closed and only small guard remains TO
protect the property. Last week the regu-
lar garrison was transferred to Fort De
Soto, Fla.
Beyond doubt, Fort McHenry is the most
historic spot in or around Baltimore Its
splendid and successful defense against the
British feet an 1914 made it so. The cir
cumstances under which Francis Scott Key
wrote "The Star spangled Banner" during
that terrific bombardrnent forever cast the
glamour Of historic romance and national
patriotic feeling over the picture. And for
generations now Baltimoreans and visitors
alike appreciative of the history Of the
old fort, the picturesqueness Of its interior
and its attractive outlook on the Patapsco-
have wandered among its grass-covered
ramparts and frowning cannon; have stood
beside the Flagstaff from which defiantly
fioated the banner which made Key jubi-
liant; have strolled around the sea wall
for a hundred varying pictures of the
Patapsco on a fine day; have peeped into
the post graveyard the magazines and the
classmates. the barracks and the officers
cottages.
Famous Bombardment.
The story of the bombardment Of Fort
McHenry has been retold so often that only
the essential facts need be given here II
was on Sunday, September Ii, 1914. that
the British fleet, with troops aboard, en-
tered the Patapsco. having rested two
weeks since the capture and burning of
Washington on August a. That night,
from the seventy ships in the feet there
was landed at North Point a force of 1000
infantry, artillery, marines and sailors. and
on the morning OF the 18th took up their
march to capture Baltimore. The killing
of their commander, General Robert Ross
resulted as is we'll known, in their defeat
in the battle of North Point, and their
next move was to attempt to take the city
by water. In anticipation of an attack
from ships, the Maryland commanders and
federal commanders had added to the
strength OF Fort McHenry by a water bat
terry on platforms in front Of the fort, by
the Circular battery of seven guns on the
present site OF Riverside park, with two
redoubts, Fort Covington and the City Bat
terry in front OF this. A four-gun battery
had been constructed at the Lazaretto and
vessels sunk across the mouth of the har-
Dor between this point and Fort McHenry.
The troops in Fort McHenry consisted of
about 1000 men. largely militia, comman ded
by Major George Armistead OF the regular
army. On Tuesday, September IS, at a.
m, the British under Admiral Cockburn
moved sixteen warshlps Including fve
bomb vessels), to a point about two and
one-half miles below Fort McHenry and,
ranged in a semi-circle, began a furious
bombardment which kept up all Of Tues
day and until 6 a. m. Wednesday. over
1900 shells were fred with multitudes Of
round shot and rockets 1.-The incessant
roar Of the cannon, and the deafening and
continuous scream of the shells and rockets
added terrors to the awful spectacle of a
cannonade by night" The forts guns
made few attempts to reach. the British
vessels. except when they ventured nearer.
But after midnight Tuesday it Joined with
the other batteries along the river in
fierce and destructive fire, when a squadron
OF barges, bomb-ketches and rocket boats
containing l,25O mem was discovered try
ing to creep past to make landing at
Spring Gardens. For two hours this terri
BILE firing was kept up, and the British were
forced to retire to the bombardlng vessels,
which finally abandoned the attempt to
take Baltimore and returned to the North
parted on Saturday. September II, to the
great pride and Joy Of the people OF Balt-
more, who showered honors and raises
upon Armistead and the others who had
repulsed the enemy
How the Song Was Composed.
Equally well known are the circum-
stances under which Francis Scott Key
wrote THE Star spangled Banner" during
the bombardment II Is however, errone-
ously believed by many that Key wrote
what has become the national anthem
while detained on board a British warship.
Such y not exactly the, case He was on
small vessel which he had hired at Balti-
more to visit the British fleet and en-
deavor to procure the release OF a friend,
DIT. Beanes Of Upper Marlboro who had
been taken prisoner during the retirement
OF the British from Washington. He had
the approval OF President Madison and
was accompanied by Mr.. John 6. Skinner.
the governments agent in Baltimore for
the exchange OF prisoners They were sue
eessful in their errand. but were Informed
by the ranking ohicer-Admiral Cochrane-
that they could not return 70 Baltimore