Evening star., 1942-03-08

rane. However, the admiral, and like
wise Gen. Ross, did not take kindly to
the suggestion Of releasing DR.. Beanes.
and Gen. Ross even scathingly denounced
Beanes to the utmost.
Fortunately, Mr.. Skinner had come
prepared with letters from the wounded
left by Ross at Bladensburg, and when the
latter found, from reading these. that his
own men were extremely grateful for
the kind treatment they were receiving
from their foe, he agreed to the release.
Mr.. Key was then permitted to inter-
view DR.. Beanes. He found him in the
forward part of the ship among the
sailors and soldiers. He was constantly
treated with indignity by those around
him, and this keen humiliation contin-
ued while he remained aboard the Brit
ish vessel.
Mr. Key and Mr. Skinner were trans
ferred to the frigate Surprise, and. re-
NAMED on that vessel until the feet,
consisting of ships of the line. heavy
frigates and bomb vessels-30 craft in
all-reached the mouth of the Patapsco,
when they and DR.. Beanes were trans
ferred to their own vessel, with guard
OF sailors and marines to prevent them
from landing.
The Flag of Fort McHenry.
On the morning of September II the
enemy sailed up the Patapsco and during
the day and night brought 1e vessels,
five Of which were bomb vessels. within
about two and half miles Of the fort.
Keys vessel was anchored in position
from which he could see distinctly the
flag of Fort McHenry, which was erected
on high mast not far from the bastion.
About sunrise on the 18th five bomb
vessels of the British took up position
a little more than two miles opposite
the fort and kept up an incessant and
well directed bombardment.
1t Col George Armistead, U. S. A.,
then "a years of age, in command Of Fort
McHenry, had the assistance of about
1000 men. He Immediately returned
the British fire, but soon found that our
shells fell short of the enemy, and his
gunners were thus left inactive though
constantly exposed to a tremendous
shower of shells. During this time and
under these conditions. Col. Armistead
states, mot a man shrank from the
conflict"
At one time the British were deceived
into believing that the fort was about
to surrender and came in closer, and only
then were our guns able to reach them.
which they did to such good effect that
the enemy retired out of range of the
American guns, continuing the lombard
ment, however, until 7 am, September
A. when it ceased, and about 9 am. got
under way and stood down the river, re-
pulsed.
In describing the bombardment to
Judge Taney, his brother-in-law, Mr..
Key, said that he and Mr.. Skinner re-
manned on deck during the night watch
ing every shell and listening with breath
less interest to hear if an explosion fol-
lowed. But it suddenly ceased before
day. and as they had no communication
with any Of the enemy's ships, they did
not know whether the fort had surren-
dered or the attack had been abandoned.
They paced the deck for the remainder
of the night in painful suspense, watch
ing with intense anxiety for the return
of day and looking every few minutes
at their watches to see how long they
must wait for it. At dawn and before it
was light enough to see objects at dis
tance, their glasses were turned to the
fort, uncertain whether they should see
the Stars and Stripes or the flag of the
enemy. At length the light came and
they saw our flag was still there"
Song Written on Deck.
"Mr. Key then told me-" continued
Judge Taney, that under the excitement
of the time he had written song and
handed me printed copy of The Star