In Sept. 1814 the British had just burned our nations capital and decided Baltimore was next. Privateers from Baltimore had made a fortune by raiding the British Merchant Fleet & the Royal Navy voweled to Burn that nest of pirates. At the battle of North Point citizen soldiers of Baltimore met and checked the British armys overland advance. The amateur soldiers fought bravely but where forced to retreat back toward the city defenses (earth works created by the citizens themselves). The fight at North Point cost the British Army the life of its commander, Gen. Ross & it was decided an attempt on Baltimores earthworks would be too costly. It was now up to the Royal Navy who would force the submission of Fort McHenry under a deluge of rockets & shells... But the fort took everything the Royal Navy could hurl at it & the defenders showed their defiance by unfurling a huge American flag! They had been through a harrowing experience but the defenders of Fort McHenry were still game. The Royal Navy had returned back & Baltimore was saved. Aboard one of the British ships was a young attorney named Francis Scott Key. He had just achieved the release of some American citizens held prisoner by the British but wasnt to be released until the fighting had concluded. From the deck of an enemy ship Key anxiously watched the bombardment of McHenry. Through the long hours Key fretted about the fate of the fort as he watched the awesome might of the Royal Navy pound its ramparts. After the huge banner was hoisted above the fort, Key was moved to write a poem titled, Defense of Fort McHenry. The patriotic poem would later be set to music & better known as The Star-Spangled Banner it was become our national anthem.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 20:17:57 +0000
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