A young lawyer and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key, along with Col. John Skinner, an American agent for prisoner exchange, was sent to secure the release of Dr. Wm. Beanes, a civilian captured after the burning of Washington, D.C.  Having heard the preparation for the attack on Baltimore, the three were detained by the British during an overnight bombardment of Fort McHenry.  Throughout the night Key heard only occasional gunfire being returned by the fort and wondered if it had been captured.  Peering through the clearing smoke at dawn's early light, Key was thrilled by the sight of a large garrison flag gailantly streaming.  Inspired, Key began to pen the words of a poem first entitled "Defense of Fort M'Henry."  The poem was quickly put to music, and these words, as well as the garrison flag became known as "The Star Spangled Banner."  In 1931, the song became our national anthem.