The next day, Admiral Cochrane moved his fleet into position to attack Fort McHenry, two miles above the city, and began a terrific bombardment, which lasted all the night. The fort answered with such guns as would reach the ships, and when morning dawned, the Stars and Stripes were still floating over it. The British feared to attack an intrenchment so gallantly defended, and the next day retreated to their shipping.
FORT McHENRY
[September 13, 1814]
Thy blue waves, Patapsco, flow'd soft and serene,
Thy hills and thy valleys were cheerful and gay,
While the day-star of Peace shed its beams on the scene,
And youth, love, and beauty reflected its ray.
Where white-bosom'd commerce late reign'd o'er thy tide,
And zephyrs of gladness expanded each sail,
I saw hostile squadrons in dread array ride,
While their thunders reëchoed o'er hill and o'er vale.
But our heroes, thy sons, proud in panoply rose,
For their homes,—for their altars,—to conquer or die;
With the lightning of freedom encounter'd their foes;
Taught the veteran to tremble,—the valiant to fly.
Now, how tranquil thy scenes when the clangors of war
Late broke the soft dreams of the fair and the young!
To the tombs of thy heroes shall beauty repair,
And their deeds by our bards shall forever be sung.
On the iron-crown'd fortress "that frowns o'er thy flood,"
And tells the sad fate of the gay and the brave,
In mournful reflection Eliza late stood,
And paid a soft tribute—a tear on their grave.
To the manes of the fallen, oh! how grateful that tear!
Far sweeter to me than the Spring's richest bloom:
Such rewards light the fire of Chivalry here,
And when the brave fall—ever hallow their tomb.
Just before the bombardment began, Francis Scott Key had put out to the admiral's frigate to arrange for an exchange of prisoners, and was directed to remain till the action was over. All that night he watched the flaming shells, and when, by the first rays of the morning, he saw his country's flag still waving above the fort, he hastily wrote the stirring verses which have since become America's national song.