Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-15

w WASHINGTON, D. c., April 10.-Prob-
wv ably the most interesting flag in the
" world to Americans is on exhibition
in the National Museum in this .city-the
original 'Star Spangled Banner the bit of
bunting which inspired Francis Scott Key to
pen the immortal lines now popularity ac-
cepted as the national anthem of the United
States.
The old battle flag, ripped and frayed, is
being carefully preserved for the eyes OF
Americans of today and generations to come.
An emblem Of the many struggles through
which this young country had to go, any
visitor to Washington who fails to go to see
this inspiring flag, now over hundred years
old, is making regrettable mistake.
The way in which Key happened to write
the hymn is interesting. Under flag OF
truce, young Key visited the British fleet
lying off Baltimore to discuss certain fea-
lures of law affecting proposed exchange
of prisoners. The American emissary went
aboard the "Minden," flagship of the British
Admiral Cockburn.
AS it happened, the British battle plans
called for bombardment of Baltimore, the
time for the opening gun set for shortly after
the time Francis Key came aboard the YES
sci. For obvious reasons, the British naval
commander decided that it would be better
to keep Key aboard the "Minden" during
the engagement, virtually prisoner.
According to the British plan, the bonn
1914, and lasted until seven o'clock in the
morning of the following day. During the
time this was going on the ardently patriot
ic young Key was forced to watch his own
compatriots under fire in Fort McHenry and
Baltimore.
All through the night Key naturally was
unable to tell which way the fortunes of war
veered. The night was rainy, dark one,
and the flashes of guns from the ships and
shore batteries were no indication of whether
the British attackers or the American de-
tenders were getting the worst of the en-
gagement.
Keys Vigil Rewarded
But with the 1ong-awa1ted and prayed-for
dawn, Key, in the uncertain light, saw the
Stars and Stripes still floating proudly over
Fort McHenry, and knew that his comrades
were undefeated.
The experience of waiting through the
long, wet night for the news of the outcome
Of the bombardment, and the rush of JOY
when his eyes saw across the stretch OF water
in the first faint light of early morning, the
American flag still waving over the fort,
were the inspiration for the poem which is
known by heart today by every school child
throughout the land.
Soon after the cessation of the lombard
ment, Key was conducted ashore, again
| under flag of truce, and Immediately, while
the glow of inspiration still fresh in his
mind, penned the immortal words of "The
Star Spangled Banner" At the very time
that Key was putting them on paper Admiral
Cockburn ordered anchors aweigh, and the
British fleet headed down Chesapeake Bay,
away from Baltimore, as fast as possible.
Key sent a copy of his poem to printer
in Baltimore, Captain Benjamin Edes. Cap
tain Edes was instructed to have the poem
printed and copies distributed about the
streets to the citizens of Baltimore. One
Ferdinand Durang, young man. first sang
the song when it was just off the press. The
| tune put to it was that of "Anacreon in
| Heaven
| Captain Edes, who had won considerable
reputation as a soldier, took one of the first
copies off the press, and dashed with it in
| his hand to little tavern kept by a Mrs
Berling. Here the soldier-printer found Cap
tains Warner and Long, Major Frailey, young
Durang, and other friends Of his
First of all Captain Edes read the print
! ed poem aloud, his friends cheering Justify
! at the end of each verse. Then it was sug-
| gested that Durang, who enjoyed consider
able local reputation singer, be called
| upon.
Durang, who was possessed Of none OF
! that false modesty which afflicts many who
| verge on being vocal artists, mounted q
Fchair and put his heart into singing The
| Star SpangIed Banner for the first time
| After he had sung it once, everybody in the
| little tavern sang the song under his leader
! ship. This singing was kept up for several
! hours, so great was the enthusiasm and pa
! triotic ferver moving the people of Baltimore
| because of the recent repulse of the enemy
| fleet of British ships.
Song Sung in Theater
| The little tavern owned by Mrs. Berling
| which was the setting for this historical
scene, was right next door to the Holiday