Page 315. Old Ross, Cockburn, and Cochrane too. Robert Ross, selected by Wellington to command the troops sent to this country in 1814. He was killed while leading the advance toward Baltimore, after having sacked Washington. Sir George Cockburn, second in command of the fleet, who had become notorious for his raids along the American coast. Sir Alexander Cochrane, in command of the British fleet on the American station.
Page 315. General Winder. General William Henry Winder, in command of the American militia at the battle of Bladensburg.
Page 317. The Star-Spangled Banner. The poem was really written at white heat, for Key made his first draft while the fight was actually in progress, and corrected it at Baltimore next day. It was at once struck off as a broadside, and was received with great enthusiasm. The air, from which it is inseparable, was selected almost at random, from a volume of flute music, by an actor named Ferdinand Durang, and was known as "Anacreon in Heaven." Additional stanzas have been written for the poem from time to time, but none of them are in any way notable except those written during the Civil War by Oliver Wendell Holmes:
When our land is illumined with liberty's smile,
If a foe from within strike a blow at her glory,
Down, down with the traitor who dares to defile
The flag of her stars and the page of her story!
By the millions unchained
Who their birthright have gained
We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
While the land of the free is the home of the brave.
Page 321. Take our wounded and our dead. The American loss was two killed and seven wounded, while the British lost 120 killed and 180 wounded.
Page 323. For I went down with Carroll. William Carroll, major-general of Tennessee militia.
Page 324. 'Twas Pakenham in person. Sir Edward Michael Pakenham. He had succeeded Ross in the command of Wellington's veterans, and, like his predecessor, was killed while leading his men against the enemy.
Page 325. And came, with Gibbs to head it. Sir Samuel Gibbs, second in command to Pakenham.
Page 325. It is the Baratarian. The headquarters of Jean Lafitte, the freebooter, at Barataria, had been broken up only a short time before, and many of his band captured and imprisoned. They were subsequently released, and under three of Lafitte's lieutenants, Dominique, You, and Bluche, hastened to Jackson's aid before New Orleans, where they did good service, especially with the artillery.
Page 325. Keane was sorely wounded. Baron John Keane, in command of the third brigade.