Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-12
BATTLE Of N0RTHP0|NT
N|NETY-N|NE YEARS AGO
''Star SpangIed Banner" Writ
ten at That Time by Fran
els Scott Key.

This is the ninety-ninth anniversary Of
the battle of North Point and the bonn
bardment of Fort McHenry, which re-
suited in the repulse of the British both
by land and water. and in which the
British commander, Gen. Ross, was kill
ed 1t was at that time the Star Spangled
Banner was written by Francis Scott
Key. while on board a British vessel for
the purpose of effecting the release of a
prisoner. DR.. Bayne. The event is cele-
brated with considerable eclat in Balti-
, more, where a procession is i'm progress
this afternoon. but the association of old
defenders has died out and is not in evil
dence of yore. For years the day was
also observed in this city and many 9TH
er places.
There was an Old Defenders Associa-
ton here. in which We're many leading
citizens. including officers of the govern
! ment, and this association, until after
the close of the civil war. observed the
day, and from time to time took part
in the patriotic professions, being
conspicuous in all the inaugurations,
most of the time riding in carriages. At
Harrlsons inaugural. in 1871, they were
signally honored with the revolutionary
soldiers. few of the latter having sur
vived to that day, by a reception given
by the President at the National Hotel
From time to time the old officers in the
regul:r service. stationed in this city,
lishment of the Soldiers Home the few
veterans of 1872 who were spending
their last days there, helped to augment
the number of old defenders in the local
celebrations. Among their number may
be recalled Gen. Skinner of the Post Of
flee Department: Col. Thomas Carbery,
o1ce mayor OF Washington; James Law
| renson and Fielder r. Dorsett.
Guests of District Militia.
Every year on September 10 until about
1860 they were escorted. sometimes by the
entire body Of the uniformed militia of
the District, and the individual companies
afterWard. which proceeded to some suit
able place to engage in target shooting.
The defenders were later entertained at a
dinner at one Of the hotels and hours
were spent in fighting their battles over
again. On September H. 1886. they pa
raded under the escort of the one COM
pany in the District at that time, the
Washington Light Infantry and were
present at the reception of the military
companies of Baltimore. The Baltimo-
reans had. during the construction of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad to this city,
been called upon to suppress riots be-
tween the rival gangs of laborers and the
iuLionu hdu ScHucIeu d Tree cxCuTSlOIl
to this city on such a day as they saw fit.
September II was chosen. They were
met just north OF the depot. about the
site of the census building on C street
between LIST and I'd. and were reviewed in
front of the Capitol by President Jack
son, the hero of New Orleans. They were
| entertained at the hotels and left in the
evening for home.
One of the most enjoyable celebrations
of the local association took place in
1866, when the old fellows. too decrepit to
| walk. with some of the veterans from the
Soldiers Home, among them one or two
of SCOTS men at. Lundy's lane. met at
Wonn's, on 9Th street between G and Fl
streets, and partook of dinner With
| them were Gen. W.. r. Sherman. who
| made a short address. as did James Law
renson, John Brady and many others.