The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 35, August 31, 2003, Article 4

COL. MENDES I. COHEN ARTICLES

  John Kraljevich writes: "The most recent issue of the Maryland
  Historical Magazine published by the Maryland Historical
  Society features a story about Joseph Hopper Nicholson, a
  Maryland Congressman who raised a small group of volunteers
  to protect Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. Nicholson wrote
  the introduction to the first published version (September 17,
  1814) of "The Defense of Fort McHenry" by Francis Scott Key
  -- the poem that would later become the Star Spangled Banner.
  In any case, a footnote noted that one source for information
  about the battle was an article in the Baltimore Sun of May 8,
  1879 by Col. Mendes I. Cohen, who had died just the day
  before. Cohen, collectors will recall, once owned the 1804
  dollar now in the ANA Museum and is best known for the
  hoard of Virginia halfpennies he held that was dispersed after
  his death. Cohen, at the tender age of 18, was one of 60
  volunteer members of "Nicholson's Baltimore Fencibles" who
  were responsible for the defense of Fort McHenry. Cohen's
  recollection years later of "the rockets red glare, the bombs
  bursting in air" was crystal clear, and a letter he wrote about
  what happened to that famous flag is cited on the Smithsonian
  Institution website [http://web8.si.edu/nmah/htdocs/ssb-old/8_mystery/8b_battledamage/main8b3_t.html].

  I wrote a little article about Mendes Cohen's interesting life
  for an upcoming edition of the fixed price list that American
  Numismatic Rarities sends out called The Numismatic Perspective.
  A past issue featured an article on the western explorations of
  a graduate student named C. Wyllys Betts.  It will be published
  shortly. Cohen was a fascinating character, retired at 35, one
  of the foremost Egyptologists of his day, and the owner of a
  spectacular collection. Those interested in subscribing to the
  Maryland Historical Magazine can look at www.mdhs.org."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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