Evening star., 1937-08-15


JOHN PHILIP SOUSA,
Leader Of the United States
Marine Band, 188O-1S92.
militia and other volunteer defenders
of the town"
Continuing, he says:
AS the enemy advanced on Fort
Toronto, expecting to make it an easy
prey, the fire on the fort having
ceased suddenly there was a terrific
explosion and Brig Pike, with 200
OF his command. were unceremoni-
ously shot into the air. The powder
magazine, it seems, had been fired by
an artillery sergeant of the retreating
regulars 20 prevent its falling into
the hands of the enemy, and the fuse
was lit, from all accounts. unde-
sisnedly, at horribly inopportune mo-
ment. Despite the calamitous check
and the CONSERVATION that ensued the
Americans advanced upon the fort and
received the submission OF Col
Chewett and the handful of militia
who had not fallen in defense of It.
The explosion of the maFazine and
the loss of life it occasioned put the
invaders in no humor to treat gen.
erously either with the town or with
the people
THREE months later the Americans
returned, and Chauncey's fleet
repeated in a way what had pre-
viously been done.
We sometimes criticize the British
for burning the public buildings Of
Washington and destroying the Lii
brary of Congress then housed in the
Capitol, but, as stated before, what
We did to the Canadians in To-
ronto Gen. Ross and Admiral Cock
( burn later did to us. believing that
it is eminently fitting to do unto
others as they do unto you, or at least
this is the military way of looking at
it
At any rate, the British did come
here on August "a, 1914, just 1913 years
ago, and they did great deal of de-
structlon before they left The Lii
brary Of Congress then had on hand
| the enormous number Of 5000 VOL
umes, and the enemy used practically
all Of these to kindle the fire that
destroyed the Capitol. And. according
to an old account, this Is how they
did it:
The leading officers entered the
House Of Representatives, where Ad-
miral Cockburn Of the royal navy
(who was cooperating with Gen.
Ross, seating himself on the Speak
er's chair, called the assemblage to
order. Gentlemen shouted he, the
question is. Shall this harbor Of Yam
kee democracy be burned? All in favor
OF burning it will saye aye!' There
was a general affirmative response.
And when he added. Those opposed
Will say nay silence rei2ned for a
moment. Light up!' cried the bold
Brlton, and the order was soon re-
peated in all parts of the building,
while soldiers and sailors We'd with
each other in collecting combustible
materials for their incendiary fires.
Ihe books on the shelves OF the IL
orary OF Congress were used AZ kin
ding Tor the north wing, and the
much-admired portraits of Louis XVI
and his fNI1onr
which had been presented by that
unfortunate monarch to Congress.
were torn from their frames and
trampled under foot"
The British also upon this occa-
sion sustained loss from an explo-
sion at the Navy Yard, due to some
one throwing lighted taper down 4
dry we'll where the Americans had
hid large quantity of powder. The
casualties were considerable, and
many OF the wounded had to be left
behind when the enemy evacuated
the city. But, naturally, these were
given humane treatment, and many
OF the injured recovered.
T is nice to know that in this en-
llghtened day the Navy is sending
Its band to Toronto to increase the re-
spect and neighborly feeling OF the
Canadian people by its excellent music,
which every one will agree is much
better for their boys and for our bows
than sending our soldiers there to be
shot up and In return to shoot.
Uncle Sam" is very considerate in
sending bands on tours, and the Army
Band and the Marine Band have re-
peatedly been given this privilege. the
former having had It's frst tour In
January and February 10 years ago
But this band is the youngest Of the
three bands mentioned not having
been organized into an Army band
until the Spring of 1922, when sta
TONED at Fort Hunt, Va. At this time
Gen. Pershing selected Master Sernt
Willis S. Ross, who had been drum
major Of Gen. Pershing's A. E. F. Or
ganization.
In the September following its or.
ganiza ton at Fort Hunt the band wa
ordered to Washington Barracks
where 4 competitive examination VA,
held among applicants for the posi-.
tion Of leader. and Capt. William j
Stannard was rated No. !. His selec.
ton proved to be . most enjoyable
one, especially to an appreciative pub.
lie. and the band gained many friend.
through his able leadership.
This band headed the funeral pro.
cession Of the late President Harding
the Defense day parade. the parade q
the inauguration of President Coo.
lidge, the homecoming celebration TO,
Col. Charles A. Lindbergh and many
other ofhcial celebrations. The Pan.
American Union selected the Army
Band as the official band for introduc.
ton of South American music into the
United States.