Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-07-24
on land, and withdrew Tuesday, the 18th

of September. The day following the Bat
tie of North Point the British fleet attacked
and bombarded Fort McHenry. During
most of the day all the ships lay beyond
the reach of the American guns. Finally
three British ships ventured within range
but within half an hour were driven back tC
the old anchorage. One, the Erebus, was
saved from destruction with great difficulty
During the night of the 18th 1880 men
were sent from the British ships in barges
with scaling ladders to storm and take the
American defenses. Two barges were sunk
and number of the attacking party killed
before the British withdrew. The bonn
bardment continued all through the night
of the 18th and did not cease until z
O'Clock on the 18th. Nearly 1000 shells
were discharged from the British ships,
and but 4 Americans were killed and "a
wounded. In, the land engagement at
North Point on Monday the 18th $50
Americans and 600 British were killed.
Peace was declared on December "a,
lSl4-a Christmas present to the country.
Thus one of the few successful land en-
gagements of the war came at the end,
and, like the Battle of New Orleans, did
much to re-establsh the reputation of
American arms; for the brilliant exploits
and success Of Decatur, a Marylander, at
sea and of Perry on the Lakes exceeded
anything done on shore.
The Battle of North Point and the futile
bombardment of Fort McHenry next day
were not big battles. it is true They re-
suited Immediately in preventing the sack
and pillage of Baltimore and redeemed in
measure the earlier notifying expert
ences of the war. besides making possible
better and quicker terms of peace. Such
material results are not to be despised, but,
on the other hand, are to be desired and
appreciated, Even now. however ii can
not be doubted that the greatest good to
our Nation growing out of the two days
fight and the one thing which has done
most to foster and stimulate our patriotism
as Nation is entirely due to an accident,
or, perhaps it is wiser to say. Providence.
Frencis Scott Key, very young man of
extraordinary patriotism and talent. had
gone on board one of of the British ships
several days before under a flag Of truce
to render some service to family friend
taken on board British ship down the
bay as a prisoner on some capriciOus
charge
Fearing Key might divulge their plans
If released before the battle, the British
detained him on board the Minden, which
was anchored during the bombardment
out of harms way. II was from the deck
of the Mnden that Key watched through
out the day Of the 18th the bOmbardment
of Fort McHenry. Through the darkness
of the night Of the 18th. pacing the deck
of the ship of an unfriendly power at war
with his native Government, he thought
those immortal thoughts which found ex-
preston and permanent being in the lines
of the "Star-Spangled Banner" On the
18th of September he and his friend were
released by the British, and he completed
his poem. begun during the actual noise
and suspense of the conflict On the 18th
it was first printed. This is the plain story
of the way our national anthem was born.
1t will never die.
The State Of Maryland and the city of
Baltimore invite the people Of the whole
Lii lnua al, oil, NJ 40,
celebrate with them the centennial ami
versary of the birth Of this same stirring
anthem.
1t is fitting that the Government Of all
the people should have part, and the
largest part, in this celebration Of the one
hundredth anniversary of the triumph Of
American military valor. and literary in
spiration unsurpassed. While the love of
country, while memories Of great and
brave men who have made our land and
while the sentiment which has stirred
every true American for nearly 100 years
who has heard the inspired words and
quickening strains of the Star-Spangled
Banner can not be reduced TO terms Of
dollars and cents, some more precious
medium of exchange must be used still
it is not amiss to remind the Senate that
participation in this celebration BETTING
the occasion and this Government can not
be had cheap.
The municipal government of Baltimore,
headed by Mayor Preston. had dealt ener-
getically with the scheme for the celebra-
ton: committees Of citizens and patriotic
organizations have banded together and
laid out tasteful. interesting. and digni-
fed program for this centennial celebra-
ton TO begin on September 6 and to end
on September - next The time is short
the necessity urgent for any action to be
effective to be promptly taken. Maryland
and the city of Baltimore have raised
$3.50. 900 toward the expenses of this cele-
bfation. We think 1t proper and we ask
and urge the active cooperation Of Con-
gress in paying appropriate tribute and
respect to national benefaction, priceless
to a patriotic people.
Mr.. President, | think there is no more
fitting time than this to help TO celebrate
this occasion by an appropriation from
Congress of the amount provided in the
amendment ! would say that have had
the bill before the Senate, and il has been
reported favorabIy by the committee and
is now on the calendar
The amendment was agreed to.
Dauntnn At Uedland ChriafIan