Dr. William Beanes, Forgotten Man of the "Forgotten War"

By Kelsey Miller, CNS

Bombs bursting, the dawn's early light.

Most know the legacy of popular Maryland landmarks from the War of 1812, as the state hosted the "Chesapeake Campaign" in 1813 and 1814, one of the most important fronts of the war.
      
But, aside from giving us our national anthem and the iconic Fort McHenry flag, the War of 1812 often falls into obscurity, called "The Forgotten War" by historians.

Set to kick off a three-year celebration of the 200th anniversary of the war, Marylanders are commemorating the country's second conflict with the British and the state's key role in the war by celebrating the big and small aspects of the War of 1812.
      
"It's not hard to make the argument that this was Maryland's most important national heritage story," said Bill Pencek, executive director of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.
      
In honor of the War of 1812 Bicentennial, the commission is hosting "Star-Spangled Sailabration" June 14-17, as well as debuting the Star-Spangled Banner National Historical Trail, a new documentary, and a book.
        
Francis Scott Key, the author of our national anthem, would not have been at Fort McHenry to witness the rockets' red glare had it not been for another Maryland resident, Dr. William Beanes.
      
A wealthy doctor living in Upper Marlboro, Beanes detained straggling British soldiers accused of looting local farms after troops passed through town following the burning of Washington.
      
Days before, Beanes, who was against the war, had welcomed the troops. An angered British General Ross returned to collect the detained soldiers, taking Beanes with him.
      
Family and townspeople called upon Key to help free the elderly doctor, and the prominent Georgetown lawyer boarded a British vessel on September 13, 1814, to negotiate the release.
      
The captors agreed to free Beanes, but held the men on a truce boat for a night during the attack on Fort McHenry. Key was inspired to write a poem after noting the fort's flag still flying the morning after the bombardment.
      
Safely returned to Upper Marlboro, Beanes died in 1828. He is buried in a nondescript grave on a hill on the corner of Elm Street and Governor Oden Bowie Drive in Upper Marlboro.