. > francis scott king was being released by the british. the british troops coming into they were passing up towards baltimore from washington as it usually were a few re stragglers that stayed behind after the main ship left. were rowdy and got arrested. ecause beeps had promised neutrality to the british, they were offended that the soldiers they seized and beans for violating the neutrality. hired . government francis scott key, a georgetown lawyer to negotiate their release. he went out to meet the british roops to try to release dr. beans. while he was out there, he saw the preparations being made for baltimore. on because he saw the preparations, he wasn't allowed to leave. that's why he was on the ship all through the engagement the outcome e what of the battle would be. >> on the morning of september scott key, the battle had ensued. waiting to see from the fog and the smoke to see whether or not the fort had the bombardment and who was in charge. the land troops were coming. stalled, didn't have a commandment any longer, there was