About That Controversial Third Verse of the 'Star-Spangled Banner'

From the June 12, 2022, Twisted Sifter.

You've heard the "Star-Spangled Banner" countless times in your life.  It was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key as a poem after he witnessed the U.S. flag flying high and proud over Baltimore's Fort McHenry after a long night of bombardment in the War of 1812.

But, we only hear the first of three verses and some folks today have a real problem with one part of the third verse.  Who was Key talking about when he wrote:  "Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution.  No refuge could save the hireling and slave from terror of flight  or the gloom of the grave."?

According to the Library of Congress, Key could have been talking about how the British recruited escaped slaves to fight Americans in the war and Key could have seen them as enemies just like British soldiers.

It should be noted that Key was a lawyer and later in life helped slaves fight for their freedom.  (He also owned slaves.)

--Brock-Perry

This Month in the War of 1812

From the June American Battlefield Trust calendar.

JUNE 6, 1813

**  Engagement at Stoney Creek.

JUNE 18, 1812

**  U.S. declares war on Great Britain.

JUNE 22, 1807

**  The HMS Leopard fires on the USS Chesapeake.

JUNE 22, 1812

**  A mob in Baltimore destroys the printing offices of an anti-war newspaper.

JUNE 22, 1813

**  Battle of Craney Island.

JUNE 1, 1813

**  The USS Chesapeake captured by the British frigate HMS Shannon.    Captain James Lawrence of the Chesapeake dies days later.  He is the person who gave the U.S. Navy the "Don't Give Up the Ship" motto.

--Brock-Perry

So, Was There a Gunboat 47?

Richard Hill, according to his gravestone, served aboard Gunboat 47.  I have not been able to find any mention of this ship anywhere.  If someone knows about it, please let me know.

I do know that the Jeffersonian Gunboats were numbered as opposed to having names.

Also, I'm not sure that he would have been on that ship if it was in the New York Flotilla at the Battle of Baltimore and the attack on Fort McHenry.  It would have had to sail in open water to get from New York to Baltimore and that stretch was controlled by the British navy and a gunboat would not do well against a British warship.

I'm thinking he did serve in the U.S. Navy, but perhaps the information we have on him is wrong.

So if anyone out there has any information on Gunboat No. 47, let me know.

So, Lots of Questions About His Service.  --Brock-Perry

This Month in the War of 1812: Two Big Naval Victories and 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

From the September 2021 American Battlefield Trust calendar.

These events took place in September during America's "Forgotten War."  I say it's not so forgotten.

SEPTEMBER 10, 1813

Battle of Lake Erie, Ohio  "We have met the enemy...."

SEPTEMBER 11, 1814

Battle of Lake Champlain, New York

SEPTEMBER  12, 1814

Battle of North Point, Maryland

SEPTEMBER 13, 1814

Bombardment of Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland

--Brock-Perry

The Hargrave Family and War of 1812-- Part 1: Willis Hargrave

From Jeanne Hargrave blog at Word Press.

Back on August 16, I wrote about the first four companies of Illinois Territory Rangers.  One of them was commanded by William McHenry, whose name is now on McHenry County, Illinois, as well as the City of McHenry in that county.  Before I started this blog, I believed my county's name came from the famous fort in Baltimore.  You learn something new all the time.

Another company was commanded by Willis Hargrave, one of Jeanne's ancestors.

On July 20, 1810, 40-year-old Willis Hargrave (son of William and Elizabeth Miles  Hargrave) was appointed  Captain of the 3rd Regiment of Illinois Militia.  The unit became known as Captain Hargrave's Company of Mounted Volunteers.

In mid-1810, the census found his wife, Jane Brown Hargrave, and their younger children alone in Randolph County, Illinois Territory.  With Willis in the field  were sons Seth (age 16) and Samuel (age 20).

In 1811, Willis Hargrave, age 41 by then,  enlisted with a new military group and was appointed Major of the 4th Regiment  of Illinois Militia on November  29, 1811.

--Brock-Perry

University of Kentucky's Protest Against 'Star Spangled Banner'

From the Jan. 24, 2021, Lexington (Ky) Herald-Ledger "UK's protest an action that dates back to national anthem's 'very origins' by Jerry Tipton.

It was a peaceful protest  during the playing of the National Anthem at Florida earlier this month.  The whole University of  Kentucky basketball team, including coaches, kneeled during the National Anthem.

Mark Clague, an associate professor of musicology at the University of  Michigan has written a book about the anthem "Singing Citizenship: A Political History of the  Star-Spangled Banner" which is being published early next year.

He said the anthem was originally written as a poem, entitled "The Defence of Fort McHenry," written by Francis Scott Key who witnessed  the famed battle.

"It's a political song from the get-go.  Francis Scott Key's  song is a call for unity.  It's a call for a central government that can defend itself.  Neither of those things were  true of the United States in 1814."

--Brock-Perry

First Printing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' Goes to Auction at a Fraught Time-- Part 1

From the June 2, 2020, WBUR by Andrea Shea.

"We all know  the words penned by Francis Scott Key more than 200 years ago.  As school children, we sang about the dawn's early light and the rockets red glare.  We've heard countless celebrities and millions of sports fan belt it out how--even through it all-- our flag was still there.

"Professional football players (and many others) have refused to participate in that tradition as an act of cultural dissent  against racial  oppression and police-involved killings of unarmed black Americans.  Now, after a pain-filled weekend of peaceful-turned-violent protests against enduring racial  injustice  and deadly inequality, people across the nation are stoking questions about what freedom and patriotism mean in 2020."

But, now, one of the few original newspaper printings of Keys' lyrics are going up for auction online at Christie's Auction House.  It opens for bid on June 2 and runs through June 18.

The American Antiquarian Society in Worcester owns two of the three original copies known to exist.  They are putting one up for sale and never would have believed this would happen at the same time as a pandemic and wide spread social unrest.

What is at auction is a September 20, 1814, copy of the Baltimore Patriot & Evening Advertiser.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore Celebrating Defenders Day This Weekend

From the Baltimore Sun.

This weekend is the 205th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the attack on Fort McHenry.  It will be celebrated where a lot of it took place, at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Site.

September 13 they had a parade to the fort.

September 14 had family-friendly activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by an evening of music, photo ops with U.S. Army soldiers, living history exhibitions and a flag-raising, all culminating with  an 8:25 fireworks display.

Today, September 15, there are more family-friendly activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission to the grounds is free.  Admission to the fort is $15 and free for kids under 16.

A Great Victory and the "Star-Spangled Banner."  --Brock-Perry

Sept. 14, 1814: By the Dawn's Early Light, "The Star-Spangled Banner"

On this date in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote his poem "The Defence of Fort McHenry" after witnessing the British bombardment of Baltimore's McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812.

It was later set to music and renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner" and, you know the rest.

--Brock-Perry

James Lingan, Revolutionary War Hero and Victim of Baltimore Riots-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Born May 15, 1751   Died July 28, 1812 (age 61, Baltimore, Maryland)

Died in the Baltimore Riots

Officer in the Continental Army and a senior officer in the Maryland State Militia.

Taken prisoner at Fort Washington early in the American Revolution and spent several years aboard a British prison hulk ship.  Always and outspoken advocate of the freedom of the press, at  the beginning of the War of 1812, Lingan was murdered by a  while defending the office of an anti war Federalist newspaper in Baltimore.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander Cortee Hanson-- Part 3: After the Baltimore Riots

I had never heard of the Baltimore riots of 1812 before until I found out about Mayor  Edward Johnson of Baltimore's role in it.

After the Riots:  A Political Career

In 1812, Hanson was elected  as a Federalist representing the 3rd District of Maryland to the 13th and 14th Congresses, serving from  March 4, 1813, until he resigned in 1816.  he also became a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815.

In 1816, he was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Maryland House of Delegates, but was elected as a Federalist to the U.S. Senate to fill the tenure of Robert Goodloe Harper who had resigned.  He served that post from  December 20, 1816,  until his own death on his estate "Belmont"  near Elkridge, Maryland.  (This  place still stands.)

In 1805, he was married to Priscilla Dorsey.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander Cortee Hanson-- Part 2: The Baltimore Riot

Undeterred by this, Hanson reissued the paper on July 28 from another building where he was joined by a group of armed friends to protect him.  When the mob came again, they besieged the building and Hanson and his group opened fire, killing two of the mob.

On the morning of July 29, Hanson and his group surrendered to Baltimore's local militia and were escorted to jail.

That evening, the mob came back and stormed the jail and Hanson was beaten and left for dead.    James Lingan, a military officer who came to Hanson's defense, died as a result of the violence.  Also, Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee, hero of the American Revolution and father of future Confederate General Robert R. Lee, was there and was injured.

Alexander Hanson recovered, though, and moved his paper to Georgetown, District of Columbia, where he published it unmolested.  He later moved to Rockville, Maryland.

And You Think Things Are Bad Now?  At Least They Weren't Pulling Down Statues.  --Brock-Perry

Alexander Cortee Hanson and the Baltimore Lynch Mob-- Part 1

In the last post I mentioned how Baltimore Mayor Edward Johnson risked his life to save this man and Robert E. Lee's father, Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee from a lynch mob in Baltimore in 1812.  I'd never heard of this before so some more research was in order.

From Wikipedia.

February 27, 1786 to April 23, 1819

Lawyer, publisher and statesman.  Born in Annapolis, Maryland.

He studied law and was admitted to the Maryland bar and had a practice in Annapolis.  From 1811 to 1815, he was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Hanson established and edited the Federalist Republican an extreme Federalist newspaper in Baltimore.  On June 22, 1812, four days after the declaration of war on Britain, a mob that was irritated by  his articles denouncing the Madison administration destroyed his office.

Anti-Federalists?  --Brock-Perry

Edward Johnson-- Part 2: Defender of Alexander Hanson and "Light-Horse Harry" Lee

His third term as mayor coincided with the War of 1812  Shortly after the outbreak of the war, despite his his strong anti-British sentiments and anti-Federalist political views, he was nearly killed unsuccessfully trying to stop a mob who had stormed Baltimore City Jail intent on lynching Alexander Hanson, publisher of an extreme Federalist newspaper.

One of the editor's allies was none other than Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee.  He was the father of Robert E. Lee of Confederate fame.

During the Battle of Baltimore, Johnson headed the Committee of Vigilance and Safety.  Even though General William Winder had command of Baltimore, he appointed General Samuel Smith to command American defenses of the city.

He continued with private and public work after the war.

--Brock-Perry

Edward Johnson, Baltimore's Mayor When British Attacked-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

(1767-1829)

American politician and businessman.  Served as Baltimore's mayor for six terms between 1808 and 1824. He was Baltimore's mayor when the British attacked and was instrumental in organizing the civilian defense of the city.  For several years he was owner of one of the city's largest breweries as well as a director of the Bank of Baltimore.

In 1789 he was listed as a brewer. and by 1807 he was sole owner of it.  He remained as owner of the brewery for his first two terms as mayor (two-year terms) but the brewery burned down in 1812.  he rebuilt it but sold it to George Brown in 1813.

A month afterwards, Mary Pickersgill assembled the famous Star-Spangled Banner flag on the brewery floor.

--Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 3: LaFayette Impressed With Him

Amd, Mrs. Poe, David's wife, Elizabeth, was just as patriotic as he was.  When Lafayette passed through Baltimore with his ragged Continental troops, she was one of the women who supplied clothing for them.

It was due to these services by the Poes, that LaFayette and given a ball in his honor in 1824, he remarked that he hadn't seen David Poe, Sr. or his wife Elizabeth.

Upon hearing that he had passed away, LaFayette insisted on visiting the grave.  Once there, he knelt to the ground and kissed it and said , "Here lies a noble heart."

At age 71, Poe participated in the War of 1812 in the defense of Baltimore.

Quite a Man.  --Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 2: From Ireland and Service in the American Revolution

From FaceBook, The Macabre Edgar Allan Poe.

David Poe came from Ireland to the American colonies sometime in 1742 or 1743.  He settled in Baltimore where he became an influential and rich citizen making spinning wheels and clock reels.  With the coming of the American Revolution, he was a member of Captain John McClellan's Company of Baltimore troops in 1778 and 1779.

He was commissioned Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General for the City of Baltimore with the rank of major on September 17, 1779.  One of his duties was to transport the French Allies  from Baltimore by sea from Baltimore and across the Susquehanna River.  he did this very successfully.  The people of Baltimore were so impressed with that and other services he did that he received the honorable name of "General."

--Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 1: Grandfather of Edgar Allan Poe

From Waymarking.com.  American Revolutionary War Veteran Graves.

David Poe, Sr. is a Revolutionary War veteran buried at Westminster Burial Grounds in Baltimore, Maryland.

Born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1743 and came to the American colonies and served in the American Revolution.  In addition to serving as a major in the war, he also served as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster of the City of Baltimore.

A strong supporter of the colonists, he even gave $40,000 of his own money to the cause.

He later took up arms again in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Baltimore at the age of 70.

David Poe, Sr. was the grandfather of Edgar Allan Poe whose original burial site was next to him.

--Brock-Perry

Westminster Burying Grounds-- Part 3: It's A Poe, Poe Thing

EDGAR ALLAN POE--  (1809-1849)--  Short story writer, editor and critic

VIRGINIA ELIZA CLEMM POE--  (1822-1847)  Teenage wife of Edgar Allan Poe

MARIA CLEMM--  (1790-1870)--  Mother-in-Law and aunt of David Allan Poe

WILLIAM HENRY LEONARD POE--  (1807-1831)--  Brother of Davis Allan Poe

GENERAL DAVID POE, SR.--  (1743-1816)--  Grandfather of David Allan Poe

--Brock-Perry

Westminster Burying Grounds-- Part 2: Notables Buried There

Some notable people buried at Westminster Burying Grounds:

JAMES CALHOUN--  (1743-1816)  Last mayor of Baltimore Town, First mayor of the City of Baltimore.

EDWARD JOHNSON--  (1767-181839)--  Mayor of Baltimore during the British attack in September 1814.  Chairman of the "Committee of Vigilance and Safety."

PHILIP BARTON KEY--  (1818-1859)--  Son of Francis Scott Key.    Shot and killed by  Daniel E. Sickles, his lover's husband in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, D.C.,  27 February 1829.   (I wrote about this in my Saw the Elephant blog this month.  Sickles and his lawyers used temporary insanity as a reason.  Sickles later was a general in the Civil War.)

JAMES McHENRY-- (1753-1816)--   Signer of the U.S. Constitution, Secretary of War and namesake for Fort McHenry.

--Brock-Perry