The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-05-01
STAR spANGIID BANNER STORY

Much has been written about how
Francis Scott KEY was inspired I,
write the star spanglcd Banner" hu,
Il Ia doubtful u the correct version OF
the story has appeared in print. Re,
Gently. however. the United statei
government printed a book devoted
TO the history OF the song and its au-
thor. The author Of the book IL Oscar
q. T. sonneck. chief Of the division oi
music. He saysi
Tho first detailed and authentic
account OF the orsein Of the cords OF
THE Star ~Spansled Banner" come
from Francis scot; Key himself. The
substance OF his narrative is this
When. after the battle Of Bladensburs
the main body OF the British army
! had passed through the town Of Mari.
borough. n Or. Eeanes OF the tow
beaded n body 81 citizens and arrested
some pIunderins stsaaslers. For this
he was seized hy the British and placed
On board OF the British fleet nearby
In Chesapeake uay.
Mr.. Key. accompanied by Mr.. John
S. skinner, the government agent Zoe
flags OF truce undertook TO secure tho
release 81 DIR. Beanes. Gen. Ross ana
Admiral Cockburn-who accompanied
the expedition To- Washlngton-werc
not disposed to give up the doctor: hut
Mr.. Keys arguments as TO the doctors
character and standing and Mr.. skin
ner's presentation OF letters from
wounded British officers speakins
highly OF DR.. Beanes' care IND treat
ment won their consent.
mfr. Key and Mr.. skinner. however.
were detained with the fleet and were
transferred to the frigate. Surprise.
When the fleet reached the Patapsco
they were sent on board their own ves-
sci with DIR. Bcanes. under guard.
~"Fortunatly. they were anchored IN
n position which enabled them dis
tinctly to see the rag OF Fort McHenry.
He and Mr.. Skinner remained on deck
during the night Of Sept. 10. 1914.
watching every shell. from the mo-
msnt IL was fired Until It fell. listen
ing with breathless interest TO hear II
an explosion followed.
while the bombardment continued
IL was sufficient proof that. the fort
had not surrendered. But Il suddenly
ceased some time before day. and al
they had no communication with any
of the enemy's ships. they did no,
know whether the fort had surrender
ed or the attack upon II abandoned.
They paced the deck for the re.
malnder OF the night n painful sus-
pense. watching with intense anxiety
for the return OF day. and looking ev.
cry few minutes at their watches. 10
see how long they must wait for n
And as soon as IL dawned. and before
II was light enough 10 see objects a,
n distance their glasses were turned
to the fort. uncertain whether they
should see there the Stars and Stripes
or the flag of the enemy"
Slowly the light came and
ION the shore dimiy seen through N,
mist OF the deep.
Whore the foes naughty host In dread
silence reposes.
What Is hat which the breeze DER tn,
towering steep.
AS il fltfully blows. half ~concoals. halt
d~isclos4s?
Now & catches the CLEAN OF the morn
ing's first beam.
In fun glory reflected. now shines il
the stream:
tbs the star-spangIed banner on
ioag may 1t wave
Der the land Of the free and the hom,
OF the brave
THE attack on Baltimore had faile,
and when the army had re-cmbarkc.
and the flee, vas ready 10 sail the.
were released.
Key says that he commenced tn
Song ON the deck OF his vessel IN IN.
~ferror % the moment when DE saw III.
enemy hastily rotreating TO their ships
and looked at the flag he had watoho'
for 20 a%nNiously as the day opened.
HE wrote some of the lines on IN
back Of a letter, other he committee
20 memory aed flushed IL as his boa
was rowed TO shore,
Gle wrote II out as IL now stands q
the night he reached baltimore an
Immediately after nc arrived.
"on the next morning Key took hi
anthem 10 his Drother-in-law. Judf
Nicholson. who was go pleased with
thst be Immediately sent IL 10 a print
or, ana directed copies 20 be struck OF
IN land.bul farm "