did bodies hold up the flag at fort mchenry

O Say Can You See: The Bombardment of Fort McHenry It was populated by 1,000 American troops who were armed with dozens of cannons and thousands of pounds of gunpowder. (Image:93-13286-2 and SIA2008-2449.). Initially they worked from Mary's home (now a private museum known as the Flag House), but as their work progressed they needed more room and had to move to Claggett's brewery across the street. Is Fort McHenry free? Spotted something? [27] It was intended to be exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, but was not displayed because of fears it would be damaged. One of the soldiers who was in the fort during the 25-hour bombardment wrote, "We were like pigeons tied by the legs to be shot at. Francis Scott Key went aboard and immediately went into Fort Henry to see what had happened. He said 'It's full of women and children.' South Carolina's confederate flag hasn't been flying since the Civil War. All that he (Key) could hear was the men down below praying. Messages Author Time Story of National Anthem TADOW 7/3/16 1:10pm Thanks for sharing this. Whether or not Francis Scott Key actually visited Fort McHenry that day, he would have not seen a stack of "patriots' bodies" holding the flag pole upright. He said 'That's, that's a large fort.' While ordering his men to drive off the American riflemen, Ross is shot in the chest and dies a few hours later. Star-Spangled Banner Back on Display The Star-Spangled Banner, or the Great Garrison Flag, was the garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the naval portion of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Flag Officer Andrew Foote were commissioned to lead a joint expedition to seize the twin forts. Given the scale of the attack, he was certain the British would win. A severe indisposition, the effect of great fatigue and exposure, has prevented me heretofore from presenting you with an account of the attack on this post. However, the citizens and militia of Baltimore had been preparing for such an assault for more than a year. You are free.' [9][10] Armistead specified "a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance". "The fact that it has been entrusted to the National Museum of American History is an honor.". On the appointed day in a row boat, he (Key) went out to this boat and he negotiated with the British officials and they reached a conclusion that men could be exchanged on a one-for-one basis. Star-Spangled Banner | Smithsonian Institution Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 Key put his thoughts on paper while still on board the ship, setting his words to the tune of a popular English song. An interactive component allows site visitors to closely explore features of the flag in detail, download an audio-descriptive tour of the exhibition for the visually-impaired, and hear the song performed on original instruments from the National Museum of American History's collection. Duke also co-hosted a daily podcast with former HLN host Nancy Grace, "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace" and hosted the podcast series "Stan Lee's World: His Real Life Battle with Heroes & Villains." At Lead Stories, we are pro-fact. [34][35] In 1912, Appleton formally donated it to the Smithsonian. Everything was made ready at Fort McHenry to defend Baltimore. This changed on April 6, 1814, with the defeat and abdication of Napoleon, which freed up veteran troops for a more aggressive strategy. Undoing her work required unbelievable precision. [23], In 1873, Appleton lent the flag to George Henry Preble, a naval officer who had written a popular history of the American flag. Because of the flag's size and the dimensions of the glass case it was displayed in, the public never saw the entire flag while it was housed in this location. This delay gives the American defenders in Baltimore time to bolster their defenses. Original size: 30 feet by 42 feet. The hissing rockets and the fiery shells glittered in the air, threatening destruction as they fell,later recalled a young British sailor, in a description that sounds straight out of a poem, Whilst to add solemnity to this scene of devastation, the rain fell in torrents the thunder broke inmighty peals after each successive flash of lightening, that for a moment illuminated the surrounding darkness.But with no coordinated infantry assaults, Cochrane began to draw down his thrust. At 30 by 42. It's in most hymnals throughout our churches. He said 'If you will, scan the horizon of the sea,' and as he looked he could see hundreds of little dots and he said 'That's the entire British war fleet.' On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. Visitors are allowed a clear view of the flag, while it remains protected in a controlled environment. At that time, it was the practice to add one star and stripe for each new state joining the Union. The striking visual has pervaded our national imagination: The first rays of a new day reveal the symbol of a nation young but strong standing defiant in the face of our foes. The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner - Smithsonian Magazine He said 'Do you see that flag way up on the rampart?' Since there were no groups of American soldiers in the cargo hold, there was no such conversation between Key and the prisoners. The garrison flag, according to eyewitness accounts, wasn't raised until the morning. Despite their feelings about disunion, the Armistead family made a specific effort to protect the flag that symbolized a preserved and united nation. The Star-Spangled Banner is one of the most recognizable icons of the United States. What is the melody of God Save the Queen? A national subscription magazinepublishedlocally,NilesWeeklyRegister,recorded that thehouses in the city were shakentotheir foundations for never,perhapsfromthe timeof invention of cannonto thepresent day, were the same number ofpiecesfired with so rapid a succession.The vivid display of early 19th-century shock and awe could be heard 100 miles awayinPhiladelphia. The larger of the two flags had stripes two feet wide, and stars 24 inches from point to point. Key was not sent by the American government to negotiate a prisoner exchange. The poem would be put to the music of a common tune, retitled "The Star-Spangled Banner", and a portion of it would later be adopted as the national anthem of the United States. Bodies of the dead were not used to hold up the flag pole a 42 by 30 foot flag has to be on a well-anchored pole, not held up by a few dead bodies stacked around it. [32][33], The Armistead family occasionally gave away pieces of the flag as souvenirs and gifts.[6]. : Editor-in-Chief Alan Duke co-founded Lead Stories after ending a 26-year career with CNN, where he mainly covered entertainment, current affairs and politics. The American defenders hold initially, inflicting heavy casualties and resorting to firing scrap metal from their cannon because of a lack of canister. He had witnessed Britain's twenty-five hour bombardment of the Fort, and for Key, the raising of the American flag was a triumphant symbol of bravery and perseverance. Victoria "Tory" Altman is an Education Specialist in the Office of Education Outreach. Each star was stitched into place on one side of the flag and the cloth on the reverse side was then cut away to reveal it. [8] The smaller of the two flags would be the Storm Flag, to be more durable and less prone to fouling in inclement weather. For example, it claims the song was written during the American Revolution, although it was penned more than three decades later in September 1814 -- in the final months of the War of 1812. He said 'The thing that sets the American Christian apart from all other people in the world is he will die on his feet before he will live on his knees.'. The failed bombardment of Fort McHenryforced the British to abandon their land assault on the crucial port city of Baltimore. Directives from London were clear that once troops went ashore, combat decisions belonged with the army rather than the navy, but such guidance had not anticipated that those soldiers might be under the command of a mere colonel. It is a made-up quote, according to scholars at Washington's presidential library. Date of Birth - Death April 10, 1780 - April 25, 1818. In the summer of 1813, Armistead ordered a large garrison flag (30 feet by 42 feet) as well as with a smaller storm flag (17 feet by 25 feet) for the Fort. By noon it started to rain. Over the next six weeks, Mary, her daughter, three of Mary's nieces, a 13-year-old indentured servant and possibly Mary's mother Rebecca Young worked 10-hour days sewing the flag, using 300 yards of English wool bunting. It is on exhibit at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Coming in at 17 x 25 feet, this storm flag was much smaller and was designed to withstand tough weather, such as the raging winds and pouring rain that occurred during the Battle of Baltimore. Why the Confederate Flag Made a 20th Century Comeback - National Geographic And Key could not "scan the horizon of the sea" since he was on the river, miles from the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean. Every purchase supports the mission. It was Fort McHenry, a star-shaped fort perfectly situated on the Baltimore Harbor. By early morning of September 14, it was over. The Great Garrison Flag - Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. There were about 28 American casualties. Support Outdoor Classrooms at Seven Key Battlefields. The narrator refers to Fort Henry, which did not exist. [19], Louisa occasionally allowed the flag to be used for civic occasions. Part of the larger Battle of Baltimore, the Battle of Fort McHenry saw the fort's garrison defeat a British fleet that had been advancing on the city. No, Mary Pickersgill did not make a mathematical error. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. The admiral came and he said 'Your people are insane.' By noon, Brooke had come within two miles east of the American lines, surveying any opportunities for an infantry breakthrough, but found none. [34][36][37] The flag was restored by Amelia Fowler in 1914. Alanstudt.com A t 6:30 a.m., on September 13, 1814, the first of an estimated 1,800 cast-iron bomb shells were hurled at the masonry walls of Fort McHenry. The failed bombardment of Fort McHenryforces Brooke to abandon the land assault on Baltimore. Around midday, while the British halt for a meal, Stricker orders 250 riflemen and cannon to draw the British toward his forces. Joining them is the rocket ship HMSErebus, which launches the newly invented Congreve rockets. The Star-Spangled Banner flag is on display at the National Museum of American History. Robert M. Poole is the magazine's contributing editor. Send Students on School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled! Most people assume that this grand banner flew through the rockets red glare.. In fact, military posts traditionally lower the American flag at night. And they said 'How many ships?' We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. He convinced the British to release Beanes. a star-shaped fort perfectly situated on the Baltimore Harbor. He has published several books and numerous articles. Bombardment of Fort McHenry Part 1 The exploding shells and rocket fire from British warships inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the lyrics to the Star-Spangled Banner.Seeing no way to penetrate American defenses, the British withdrew their troops and gave up their Chesapeake Campaign. No, Key was a lawyer in Washington, D.C. Are the words national anthem capitalized in a sentence? Although she lived in Maryland, a Union state, her sympathies lay with the Confederate cause. [47] Planning and executing a cleaning treatment for the flag following scientific analysis was the third phase. He said 'How are you going to do that?' On the morning of September 14, when the flag was seen flying above the ramparts, it was clear that Fort McHenry remained in American hands. That changed after architects designed the new National Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, with space to allow the flag to hang. It evokes powerful emotions and ideas about what it means to be an American. When he saw the garrison flag flying in the morning, he composed a poem he originally titled "Defence of Fort McHenry". Spotted something? Often lost in the near-mythic symbolism attached to this moment in the American consciousness is the fact that Fort McHenrys commander, Major George Armistead, did not order the flag hoisted in a special act of triumph or defiance. For three hours, the bombardment proceeded through lashing rain, thunder and lightning. Courtesy of Christopher Hughes Morton. Now, as preparations for a British attack proceeded, the three-story-tall flag waved atop the 90-foot flagpole at Fort McHenry, its bold red, white and blue geometry unmistakable. I've often been fighting back tears during the National Be Y's 7/3/16 7:55pm [25][26] He then put the flag on display at the headquarters of the New England Historic Genealogical Society for several weeks. It is baffling why anyone would fabricate historical facts that would then be assumed to be authentic. The 1,000 Americans at Fort McHenry are commanded by Maj.George Armistead. Not knowing for sure when an attack would occur, they spent months preparing for it. For the next 27 hours, in driving rain, the warships hammer the fort. It is she who is thought to have sewed the red upside-down "V" on the flag, beginning the stitches for the letter "A." In the early morning ofSeptember 13, British warships begin their bombardment. In 1931 the song became the national anthem of the United States. But just what did that flag, that for and those defenders endure?. In spite of their different motivations for serving, all of the men had one thing in common the protection of Baltimore from destruction. That night, Key finalized the four stanzas of the Defense of Fort McHenry., Three days later, the poem was printed on a broadside alongside the melody to a popular English tavern 1780 tune, To Anacreon in Heaven.A thousand copies were distributed to the garrison of Fort McHenry: A young militia soldier wrote his family We have a Song composed by Mr. Key of G[eorge] Town which was presented to every individual in the fort.By mid-autumn, further pnntmgs contained musical notations and a new title: The Star-Spangled Banner.. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. They said 'We want to send a man out to discuss this with you.' This included scientific studies with infrared spectrometry, electron microscopy, mechanical testing, and determination of amino acid content by a New Zealand scientist, and infrared imaging by a NASA scientist. According to the Smithsonian Archives, this October 1944 photograph shows: "The headquarters area of the United States National Museum storage facilityin Luray, Virginia, near Shenandoah National Park." Please select all the ways you would like to hear from Lead Stories LLC: You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. First, there were no "colonies" in 1814. But by 9:30 a.m., Admiral Cochrane knew his fleet would be mired for the foreseeable future those shore batteries, coupled with a chain-mast boom, sunken vessels, U.S. gun boats and the Lazaretto Battery, presented a formidable harbor defensive line and any infantry assault would lack naval support. In 1907, Eben Appleton lent the flag to the Smithsonian, and it was put on display at the National Museum (now the Arts and Industries Building). After the battle, the flag came into the possession of Major Armistead. This response would not reach ColonelBrooke until noon, when he had advanced within two miles east of the American lines while he and Cockburn surveyed the American lines. While the home where he lived in 1814 is no longer standing, there is a monument at its former site of 34th and M Street. Corbis On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in. Their bodies were removed and others took their place. Francis Scott Key, the Reluctant Patriot The First American President: Setting the Precedent, African Americans During the Revolutionary War, Help Save 820 Acres at Five Virginia Battlefields, Save 343 Acres at FIVE Battlefields in FOUR Western Theater States, Save 42 Historic Acres at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Phase Three of Gaines Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign, An Unparalleled Preservation Opportunity at Gettysburg Battlefield. He said 'We're going to remove it from the face of the earth.' Francis Scott Key - Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Duke closely covered domestic terrorism cases for CNN, including the Oklahoma City federal building bombing, the UNABOMBER and search for Southeast bomber Eric Robert Rudolph. A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Is Northern capitalized? "We, sir, are ready at Fort McHenry to defend Baltimore against invading by the enemyexcept that we have no suitable ensign to display over the Star Fort, and it is my desire to have a flag so large that the British will have no difficulty in seeing it from a distance.". Major General Robert Ross was sent to command all British forces on the East Coast of the United States, with Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane leading a fleet of warships. A spokesperson for Speaker Pelosi confirmed via phone that the claim the flag gifted to Floyd's family is exclusively reserved for military personnel is false. Key started composing a verse about his experience while still onboard the Tonnant, and once he was safely rowed ashore, he edited the work into four stanzas. O Say Can You See: The Bombardment of Fort McHenry. During the War of 1812, the people of Baltimore believed that the British would attack the city. Armistead remained in command of Fort McHenry for the rest of his life. Scott S. Sheads is a retired ranger-historian and Historic Weapons Officer at Fort McHenry National Historic Site and Shrine in Baltimore, Md., a position he took up in 1979. This revelation was famously captured in poetry by Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet. This fiction was repeated during testimony meeting this - CougarBoard We go, however, to a ball game, we stand in our church services, and we sing the words of that song and they float over our minds and our lips and we don't even realize what we're singing. Encouraged by their victory at Bladensburgon August 24, 1814, and the subsequent burning of Washington, D.C., the British turned north, intent on capturing the major port city of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1813,Mary Pickersgill, a Baltimore flagmaker, was commissioned to make two flags for Fort McHenry. The American colonies had prisoners and the British had prisoners and the American government initiated a move, they went to the British and they said 'Let us negotiate for the release of these prisoners.' [22] It was displayed outside Armistead's son's home for the 1844 Whig National Convention. From Baltimore's Federal Hill the fleet of more than 40 British vessels was visible at anchor off North Point. In the fourth and final phase of the project, curators, scientists, and conservators developed a long-term preservation plan. By 10:00 a.m. that morning, both the cloud cover and the threat of rain increased over the area. September 14. Seeing the flag flying over Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814, after the battle ended, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry". After the Battle of Baltimore. Verified signatory of the IFCN Code of Principles, Facebook Third-Party Fact-Checking Partner. When the flag arrived at the Smithsonian it was smaller (30 by 34 feet), damaged from years of use at the fort and from pieces being removed as souvenirs. 1. Fact check: The folded flag is not reserved exclusively for veterans Accordingly, he launched a late evening diversionary barge attack on the western shore, the backdoor of the American land defenses. [29][30], Georgiana Appleton died in 1878 and left the flag to her son, Eben Appleton. The flag's design was last approved by Congress in 1794, providing for 15 stripes and 15 stars. Although this flag has been around for 200 years now, there is more to this story that begs to be told. The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education. After landing unopposed, they advance toward Baltimore.