File:The naval history of the United States (1896) (14781291721).jpg

Identifier: navalhistoryofun02abbo (find matches)
Title: The naval history of the United States
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John), 1863-1934
Subjects: United States -- History, Naval To 1900
Publisher: New York, Dodd, Mead and company
Contributing Library: University of Massachusetts, Boston
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Boston

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e that hang over the scene of battle ; the roarof the artillery; the shriek of the shell as it leaves the cannons mouth,slowly dying into a murmur and a dull explosion, as, with a flash of fire,the missile explodes far away, — combine to form a picture, that, despitethe horrors of wounds and death, rouses the enthusiasm and admirationof the beholder. When viewed from the deck of one of an attackingfleet, the scene is even more impressive. At each discharge of the greatguns, the vessel reels and trembles like a huge animal in agony. Thesurging waters alongside reflect in their black depths the flash of thecannon and the fiery trail of the flying shell. Far in the distance canbe seen the flashes of the enemys guns, each of which may mean thedespatch of a missile bringing death and pain in its track. One whohas witnessed such a spectacle can readily understand the fascination whichmen find in the great game of war. Pacing the deck of the one of the British vessels was a young American,
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RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS TO ACCOMPANY HOBSON ON THE MERRIMAC BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 497 whose temperament was such that he could fully appreciate all the beautiesof the scene, even though harassed by anxious fears lest the British shouldbe successful. This man was Francis S. Key, who had visited the fleetwith a flag of truce, but was unable to get away before the bombardmentbegan. When the sun set on the evening of the 13th, Key saw hiscountrys flag waving proudly over the ramparts at which the British gunshad been so furiously pounding. Would that flag still be there when thesun should rise again ? That was the question which Key asked himselfas he anxiously walked the deck throughout the night, striving to piercethe darkness, and make out, by the lurid lightnings of the cannon,whether the flag was still there. As the night wore on, Key took an oldletter from his pocket, and on the blank sheet jotted down the lines ofthe immortal national song, The Star Spangled Banner. Its

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