Lesson 249: The Soldier and His Flag
Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas
THE
SOLDIER AND HIS FLAG He
could not believe his eyes. He saw the bombs bursting in mid air but
still could not accept as true that America was under attack. News came
that Washington was not only burning, but had been captured. The flames could
be seen in Baltimore, nearly forty miles away. The smoke clung to the
morning mist like a baby to its mother. Yet he continued to look. He felt
the anticipation building. Was she still there snapping in defiance to
the abuse being hurled at her? On
September 3rd, he had set sail with Colonel Skinner carrying a letter
from the President of the United States requesting the release of an American
held on board the ship known as the Tonnant. General Ross and Admiral
Cochrane greeted them coolly and at first denied the release. Upon
reading pleas from their own men, who attested to the human and honorable
treatment given to them by Dr. Beane, they finally relented. But they
would have to tarry until the attack was underway, as the three men now knew
too much. On
the morning of September 13, 1814, the bombardment had begun. It lasted
for twenty-five hours, with over fifteen hundred shells being launched at
her. The bombs were met by a defiant lady dressed in red, white and
blue. She was bigger than life, with 15 stars measuring two feet from point
to point. She possessed seven white strips and eight red ones. They
were each two feet wide. She measured 30 feet by 42 feet in all her glory
and contained over four hundred yards. She stood proudly over the 5 point
fort greeting the shells with a smile of rebelliousness. She was a rebel
at heart created on orders by Major George Armistead so it would be seen from a
distance. He
nervously looked in the direction of his two fellow Americans, Dr. Beanes and
Skinner, and then returned his gaze upon the site unfolding before his
eyes. Was she still there proudly waving in the distance? Had she
been stricken by the explosions? His eyes shared his fears through silent
moans, as tears streamed down his eyes unabated. What was the fate of his
beloved country, the city of Baltimore and the fort? What would become of
them and did destiny ride on the wind in the morning light? The
sound of silence came crushing down upon them like a wave upon the beach.
Slowly the fading fog yielded. It was then that he saw it. It emerged
from the morning haze and through the bellowed smoke of the ships
cannons. He grabs an envelope from his back pocket and began to write
down the words that flew over his soul. “On
the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, That
man alongside of two fellow Americans not only witnessed the firing upon Fort
McHenry but one captured the essence of all America. His name was Francis
Scott Key and ‘from the fire rose the phoenix’. He was a
lawyer and thank God he possessed a poet’s heart. How
ironic is was that in 1861, his grandson would be imprisoned at Ft McHenry
along with Mayor Brown for their sympathies for Southern Independence and being
deemed Pro Southern. Major George Armistead’s nephew, Lewis Addison
Armistead, would be immortalized at Gettysburg during Pickett’s
charge. Being mortally wounded at the angle ‘Old Lou’ gave
the Masonic sign and received help from a brother. He asked about the
health of his dear friend, Union General Hancock and upon learning that he too
was wounded, could not be consoled. Such is the irony of our grand
history and heritage. God has indeed blessed us with a rich history and
we must embrace our heritage with pride and dignity, as America is once again
under attack. Let freedom ring. I
wish to thank Mrs. Linda Norton for reminding me through her beautiful poem,
the cost of freedom is paid in the blood of our martyrs and for reminding me
once again that this great country was founded on sacred Christian principles
that we are bound to maintain. It is our duty to remember ALL of our
heritage and history. It is our responsibility to embrace our love of
country and never be ashamed of a nation, UNDER GOD and indivisible. We
have a sacred oath to honor ALL our Veterans who served God, Country and
Honor. For it was God who gave us this country but it was/is the Veteran
who offers us freedom by their sacrifices. Go forth proclaiming that they
gave their yesterdays for our tomorrows and be proud of your heritage; culture
and hold to your chest with a lover’s embrace our love of God, Country
and serve in all things with honor. With sacred principles to maintain, I
remain humbled to serve as the Old General
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.