There could now be no sort of doubt, that a peace with the northern
powers must soon be concluded on terms honourable to all parties. The
Danes, however, though so liberally treated, appear to have been
somewhat sore from the wounds which their temerity had invited. Sweden,
through the whole business, sagaciously kept as much as possible aloof:
ready to meet the evils of war, if necessary; but prudently prefering to
avoid them, while this might be effected without dishonour. Such,
happily, was also the disposition of Russia, from the moment of the
frantic Paul's demise; as well as that of the British government, which
had been forced into a state of hostility with those whom they were ever
desirous of considering only as friends. Nations sincerely so disposed,
have only thoroughly to understand each other, and the sword need seldom
quit it's scabbard. With respect to Denmark, however, though a positive
peace was every hour expected by his lordship, he found it necessary, at
the beginning of June, to remind some of her governors of the conditions
of the armistice. In a letter of June 11th, to Rear-Admiral Totty, his
lordship writes--"A week, from this date, all must be settled, one way
or the other. Reports say, that victuallers are laying at Yarmouth,
ready to sail; probably, they are waiting the issue of Lord St. Helen's
negociation at St. Petersburgh. In Denmark, we shall no longer find an
enemy; they have too much to lose, by the renewal of hostilities.
At this moment, generally speaking, they hate us; but they are
determined not to give up their colonies, ships, &c. In this nation, we
shall not be forgiven our having the upper hand of them. I only thank
God we have, or they would try and humble us to the dust." In this
letter, his lordship says, to the worthy rear-admiral--"I feel much
flattered at your kind wishes for my remaining with the fleet: but,
although my health is perfectly re-established; yet, as the Admiralty
cannot know it, I trust that they have had consideration to my
situation, and directed another admiral to supersede me. Sir Thomas
Graves is represented to be getting better; but, as yet, is unable to
get out of his cabin." In a preceding letter to Admiral Totty, speaking
of the indisposition of his worthy friend, is the following interesting
passage, admirably illustrative of the characteristically affectionate
regards of these most brave and excellent men. "Sir Thomas Graves is
still very ill: so much so, that he begged _I would not_ go and see him;
as the pleasure he had in seeing me, did him harm when he was left." The
pain, too, which he knew could not fail to be felt by his
sympathetically susceptible friend, doubtless formed an equally strong
reason for dreading those visits, in the breast of the rear-admiral,
though he had the kind precaution to conceal that cause. Can we wonder,
that such men should be invincible!
On the 13th of June, Lord Nelson received permission for his return to
England; and immediately thanked the Lords of the Admiralty, in an
answer addressed to Mr. Nepean, for the very flattering and handsome
manner in which their lordships had expressed their acquiescence with
his request of the 17th of May. Having received, at the same time, a
commission from his majesty, to invest his friend Rear-Admiral Graves
with the military order of the Bath, his lordship performed that
ceremony, on board the St George, next day, in the following manner.
"His Majesty's Ship St. George, Kioge Bay,
June 14, 1801.
"A chair was placed on the gratings of the skylight, on the
quarter-deck, with the royal standard suspended over it, shewing
the king's arms. The chair was covered with the union flag; a guard
was ranged on each side the quarter-deck, consisting of the
marines, and a detachment of the rifle corps; and the captains of
the fleet attended in their full-dress uniforms. The royal standard
was hoisted the moment of the procession's beginning, which took
place in the following order--Lord Nelson came up the ladder in the
forepart of the quarter-deck, and made three reverences to the
throne; he then placed himself on the right-hand side of it.
Captain Parker, bearing the sword of state, being that which was
presented to Lord Nelson by the captains of his majesty's fleet who
fought under his command at the battle of the Nile, followed Lord
Nelson, and placed himself on his right side, a little in advance;
making three reverences to the throne, and one to Lord Nelson. His
lordship's secretary, Mr. Wallis, then followed, bearing in his
hand, on a sattin cushion, the ensigns of the order, and making
similar reverences to the throne and to Lord Nelson. Captain Parker
then read the Duke of Portland's order to Lord Nelson; which being
ended, Rear-Admiral Graves was introduced between Captains Hardy
and Retalick, making three reverences to the throne, and one to
Lord Nelson. The rear-admiral then kneeled down; and Lord Nelson,
in the name of his majesty, laid the sword on the shoulders of the
rear-admiral. The knight-elect then arose; and, bending his body a
little forward, Lord Nelson, with the assistance of Captains Hardy
and Retalick, put the ribbon over the new knight's right shoulder,
and placed the star on his left breast. His lordship then
pronounced the following speech on the occasion--
"Sir Thomas Graves! Having fulfilled the commands of his majesty,
by investing you with the ensigns of the most honourable and
military order of the Bath, I cannot but express how much I feel
gratified that it should have fallen to my lot to be directed to
confer this justly merited honour and special mark of royal favour
upon you; for I cannot but reflect, that I was an eye-witness of
your high merit, and distinguished gallantry, on the memorable 2d
of April, and for which you are now so honourably rewarded. I hope
that these honours conferred upon you, will prove to the officers
in the service, that a strict perseverance in the pursuit of
glorious actions, and the imitation of your brave and laudable
conduct, will ever ensure them the favours and rewards of our most
gracious sovereign, and the thanks and gratitude of our country."
"At the conclusion of this speech, the procession retired in the
same manner as it came; except that the new knight went first,
making one reverence to Lord Nelson, and three to the throne.
"The moment the ribbon had been placed over Sir Thomas Graves's
shoulder, the signal being made preparative, the whole fleet fired
a salute of twenty-one guns; when the ceremony was finished, the
standard was hauled down. The troops and marines, on hoisting it,
had presented their arms, and the drums beat a march. The troops
kept their arms presented during the ceremony; and, on the
standard's being hauled down, a march was likewise beat."
A few days after, having concluded his epistolary correspondences, and
arranged other requisites, both with the fleet and on shore, his
lordship resigned the command to Admiral Sir Charles Morice Pole, who
had been sent out to relieve him, and immediately sailed for England.
On the day preceding his departure, however, Lord Nelson took leave of
the fleet, by issuing the following public orders--
"St. George, in Kioge Bay,
18th June 1801.
"Lord Nelson has been obliged, from the late very bad state of his
health, to apply to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for
leave to return to England, which their lordships have been pleased
to comply with. But Lord Nelson cannot allow himself to leave the
fleet, without expressing to the admirals, captains, officers, and
men, how sensibly he has felt, and does feel, all their kindnesses
to him: and, also, how nobly and honourably they have supported him
in the hour of battle, and the readiness which they have shewn to
maintain the honour of their king and country on many occasions
which have offered; and, had more opportunities presented
themselves, Lord Nelson is firmly persuaded they would have added
more glory to their country. Lord Nelson cannot but observe, with
the highest satisfaction which can fill the breast of a British
admiral, that--with the exception of the glaring misconduct of the
officers of the Tygress and Cracker gun-brigs, and the charges
alledged against the lieutenant of the Terror bomb---out of
eighteen thousand men, of which the fleet is composed, not a
complaint has been made of any officer or man in it; and he cannot
but remark, that the extraordinary health of this fleet, under the
blessing of Almighty God, is to be attributed to the great
regularity, exact discipline, and chearful obedience, of every
individual in the fleet. The vice-admiral assures them, that he
will not fail to represent to the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty their highly praise-worthy conduct; and, if it please God
that the vice-admiral recovers his health, he will feel proud, on
some future day, to go with them in pursuit of farther glory; and
to assist in making the name of our king and country beloved and
respected by all the world."
On the 1st of July, his lordship landed at Yarmouth, where he was
received with universal joy. He had no sooner arrived, than his humane
heart led him to visit the hospitals which contained such of his brave
fellows as had been wounded in the late battle. He enquired, with
parental solicitude, into the state of their health, tenderly soothed
their sufferings, generously relieved their necessities, and kindly
encouraged their hopes. On his leaving the town, the volunteer cavalry
assembled; and escorted his lordship to Lowestoffe, a distance of eleven
miles.
Lord Nelson being much indisposed when he reached Sir William Hamilton's
house in Piccadilly, where his friends had assembled to meet him, a
party was formed, consisting of Sir William and Lady Hamilton, the
present Earl and Countess Nelson, with their son and daughter, now Lord
Merton and Lady Charlotte, and Captain Parker, to go with his lordship,
for change of air, and variety of scene, as far as Box Hill, near
Dorking, in Surry, where they remained a few days; and then accompanied
him to the Bush Inn, at Staines, in Middlesex. Here they continued about
a week; and afterwards visited Mrs. Maurice Nelson, at Laleham, only two
miles distant from Staines. This unfortunate lady, relict of his
lordship's then recently deceased elder brother, has for many years been
afflicted with total blindness. Lord Nelson now kindly condoled with
her; and generously made up the small pittance left by his brother, whom
he most tenderly loved, a regular annuity of two hundred pounds, besides
providing for immediate exigences. It is greatly to be regretted, that
his lordship's repeated solicitations for Mr. Maurice Nelson's
advancement had been so little regarded, that this worthy gentleman,
though almost his whole life in the Navy Office, was only elevated to
the situation of a principal clerk about four months prior to his
decease.
With his health considerably improved by this rural excursion, Lord
Nelson returned to London; and, on dining with Mr. Addington, then
Chancellor of the Exchequer, was informed, by the minister, that nothing
could satisfy the people, who were in a state of continual alarm at
Bonaparte's immense preparations for the threatened invasion of our
country, but his lordship's immediately taking the home command. Though
the nature of the French armament, which consisted chiefly of
innumerable gun-boats, rendered the attack of their flotilla a species
of petty warfare apparently too trivial for the attention of our heroic
admiral, it was sufficient for him to be assured that his services were
requisite for the safety or welfare of his country, to obtain an
immediate acquiescence; however humble, hazardous, or unprofitable, the
nature of the proposed employ. His friends, however, were desirous that
he should receive, on the occasion, some positive benefit. His lordship
alledged, with great truth, that he was one of the worst negociators on
earth for himself, and seemed disinclined to tender any conditions; but
Lady Hamilton urging him to obtain, at least, an entailment of his
titles on the family, which would take nothing out of the national
purse, and yet preserve his merited honours to the most remote
posterity, he ventured, at length, to solicit that small favour, which
was very readily granted.
In consequence of this arrangement, Lord Nelson was appointed commander
in chief of a powerful squadron, employed between Orfordness and
Beachy-Head: together with the entire flotilla of gun-brigs, fire-ships,
bomb-ketches, and vessels of every other description; and all the
sea-fencibles embodied within the same district, with all the boats,
vessels, and other floating defences, on board of which they might be
required to act. His lordship, accordingly, hastened to Sheerness, and
hoisted his flag on board L'Unité frigate of thirty-two guns. Having,
with his accustomed activity, directed the respective stations of the
several ships there under his command; he sailed, in a very few days,
for the Downs: and it is remarkable that, on his passage from the Nore,
instead of pursuing the usual course, and proceeding through the King's
Channel, he resolved on attempting a passage hitherto deemed
impracticable for ships of war--an experiment which he judiciously
considered, at this particular period, as well worthy of trial--and,
having compleatly succeeded, it has ever since been properly called
Nelson's Channel.
On the 29th of July, at night, Lord Nelson arrived in the Downs, and
immediately hoisted his flag on board the Leyden of sixty-four guns; but
shifted it, two days after, to the Medusa frigate of thirty-two. Not a
moment was now lost in making every preparation for a formidable attack
on the French flotilla, by the assistance of which we were menaced with
the invasion of the myriads of troops that lined the shore of the enemy
from Brest to the Texel. Fearful, however, of our approach, they had
been particularly careful to fortify their coast swarming with soldiers,
by the erection of innumerable strong batteries, having furnaces for
preparing red-hot shot, and adapting every other contrivance to annoy
their dreaded assailants and protect themselves. From the moment it was
known that Lord Nelson had undertaken the home command, every
apprehension of a French invasion was changed into the wish that such an
attempt might instantly be made, and there was, perhaps, scarcely a man,
woman, or child, in the united kingdom, who now longer felt the smallest
fear of an event which had lately excited so much general alarm. With a
promptness inconceivable, his lordship planned every species of
precautionary defence, while engaged in executing his offensive
operations: and it is anxiously hoped, that his excellent defensive
arrangements, made on this occasion, though happily not then needed,
will be carefully treasured in the archives of the Admiralty, for
immediate adoption, should any attempt ever be made, by a rash and
powerful enemy, to approach the British shores; who may thus be
vanquished, by our immortal hero, in a future and even distant age.
The French flotilla prepared at Boulogne had of late been considerably
increased by reinforcements from Calais; and it was found difficult for
the British cruizers to prevent, with certainty, or even safety, such
small vessels as these gun-boats from stealing along the shore. They
were, therefore, become extremely numerous, and it was judged prudent to
attempt lessening their number by capture or demolition. Every thing
being prepared with these intentions, his lordship, on the 1st of August
1801, being the third anniversary of his glorious victory off the Nile,
sailed from the Downs, and stood over to the coast of France.
On the 2d, having arrived off Boulogne, twenty four armed vessels were
perceived at anchor outside the port; the boasted gun-boats seemed, to
his lordship, incapable of being rowed, in the smoothest water, more
than a mile and a half an hour. The enemy, alarmed at the approach of
the British armament, were labouring hard to erect new batteries; but
the wind being too far to the northward for our bombs to go on the
lee-shore, this attack, by way of experiment, did not commence till the
4th. The following official account of it's success was immediately
transmitted to England, by his lordship.
"Medusa, off Boulogne,
4th August 1801.
"SIR,
The enemy's vessels, brigs, and flats (lugger-rigged) and a
schooner, twenty-four in number, were this morning, at day-light,
anchored in a line, in front of the town of Boulogne. The wind
being favourable for the bombs to act, I made the signal for them
to weigh; and throw shells at the vessels, but as little as
possible to annoy the town. The captains placed their ships in the
best possible position; and, in a few hours, three of the flats,
and a brig, were sunk: and, in the course of the morning, six were
on shore, evidently much damaged. At six this evening, being high
water, five of the vessels which had been aground hauled with
difficulty into the mole, the others remained under water. I
believe, the whole of the vessels would have gone inside the pier,
but for want of water. What damage the enemy may have sustained,
beyond what we see, is impossible to tell. The whole of this affair
is of no farther consequence, than to shew the enemy that they
cannot, with impunity, come outside their ports. The officers of
the artillery threw the shells with great skill: and I am sorry to
say, that Captain Fyers, of the Royal Artillery, is slightly
wounded in the thigh by the bursting of an enemy's shell; and that
three seamen are also wounded. One more of the enemy's flats is
this moment sunk.
I am, Sir, &c.
"Nelson And Bronte."
"Evan Nepean, Esq."
This attack seems to have been chiefly intended to ascertain what might
be hereafter effected with a force particularly adapted to the nature of
the service, founded on some degree of actual experience. His lordship
was, therefore, far less disappointed by the event, than might generally
be imagined. To prevent the commanders of the bomb-vessels from being
discouraged, who had really deserved better success, his lordship thus
complimented them on the occasion.
"Medusa, off Boulogne,
Aug. 5th, 1801.
"Lord Nelson has reason to be very much satisfied with the captains
of the bombs, for the placing of their vessels yesterday. It was
impossible they could have been better situated; and the artillery
officers have shewn great skill in entirely disabling ten of the
armed vessels out of twenty-four opposed to them; and many others,
Lord Nelson believes, are much damaged. The commander in chief
cannot avoid noticing the great zeal and desire to attack the enemy
in a closer combat, which manifested itself in all ranks of
persons; and which Lord Nelson would gladly have given full scope
to, had the attempt at this moment been proper; but the officers,
and others, may rely that an early opportunity shall be given them
for shewing their judgment, zeal, and bravery. The hired and
revenue cutters kept under sail, and performed the duty entrusted
to them with, a great deal of skill.
"Nelson and Bronte."
On the day following, Lord Nelson quitted the French coast, and repaired
to Margate Roads; leaving, however, a sufficient force off Boulogne to
watch the motions of the enemy, and the gun-boats and smaller vessels of
his fleet in the Downs. While every possible effort was making to
prepare for a most vigorous attempt on the flotilla at Boulogne, his
lordship, by visiting Harwich for a few days, endeavoured to divert the
attention of the enemy, and induce them to suppose that he was now going
against Flushing, really meant to be the next object of attack. By this
stratagem, both services were actually, at the same time, in a state of
constant preparation. Having arranged matters at Harwich, his lordship
returned to the Downs; from whence, on the 15th, he again stood over to
Boulogne, with a force now augmented to seventy sail, including vessels
of all descriptions. The French, however, had been equally alert in
guarding against an expected second blow; and, to the total discomfiture
of the enterprize, as well as the loss of many of our brave men, though
to their own eternal ignominy, it was discovered, when too late, that
these threatening invaders had literally chained down all the vessels of
this boasted flotilla to the shore, in dread of their being carried off
by the British assailants. Of this unfortunate affair, which failed from
a cause that could scarcely have been suspected, by a brave man, in even
the most pusillanimous enemy, the following copious dispatches from Lord
Nelson to the Admiralty, including the reports of the several commanders
of divisions as transmitted through Mr. Nepean, will afford a very full
and particular description.
"Medusa, off Boulogne, 16th Aug. 1801.
"SIR,
"Having judged it proper to attempt bringing off all the enemy's
flotilla moored in the front of Boulogne, I directed the attack to
be made in four divisions of boats for boarding, under the command
of Captains Somerville, Parker, Cotgrave, and Jones, and a division
of howitzer-boats under the command of Captain Conor, of his
majesty's ship Discovery. The boats put off from the Medusa, at
half past eleven last night, in the best possible order; and,
before one o'clock this morning, the firing began: and I had, from
the judgment of the officers, and the zeal and gallantry of every
man, the most perfect confidence of compleat success--and which I
have no doubt would have been according to my expectations--but
owing to the darkness of the night, with the tide and half tide,
which must always make the attacks in the night, on the coasts of
the channel, very uncertain, the divisions separated; and from all
not arriving at the same happy moment with Captain Parker, is to be
attributed the failure of success. But I beg to be perfectly
understood, that not the smallest blame attaches itself any where;
for, although the divisions did not arrive together, yet each
(except the fourth, which could not be got up before day) made a
successful attack on that part of the enemy they fell in with, and
actually took possession of many brigs and flats--particularly, the
commodore. _But the vessels being, as I am informed, chained to
the, shore, but certainly hauled on shore_, as the commodore's brig
had less under her bottom than could support her, the moment the
battle ceased on board, such vollies upon vollies of musketry were
fired, directed on their decks, the enemy being perfectly
regardless of their own men, who must have suffered equally with
us, that it was impossible even to remain on board to burn them.
But allow me, who have seen much service this war, to say, that
more determined, persevering courage, I never witnessed; and, that
nothing but the impossibility of being successful, from the causes
I have mentioned, could have prevented my having to congratulate
their lordships on bringing off the enemy's flotilla: and,
although, in value, the loss of such gallant and good men is
incalculable; yet, in point of numbers, it has fell short of my
expectations. I must also state, that greater zeal, and ardent
desire, in the whole of the officers and crews, in the numerous
vessels under my command, to distinguish themselves by an attack on
the enemy, were never shewn: and the commanders and crews of the
hired and revenue cutters vie with their brethren of the navy; the
whole of whose boats were employed, and the commanders of the
Hunter and Greyhound cutters volunteered their services.
"Among the many gallant men wounded, I have, with the deepest
regret, to state the heavy loss I have sustained, by the grievous
wounds of my gallant good friend, and able assistant, Captain
Edward Thomas Parker, my aid-de-camp; also of Lieutenant Frederic
Langford, my flag-lieutenant, who has served with me many years;
and who were both wounded, in attempting to board the French
commodore. To Captain Gore, of the Medusa, I feel the highest
obligations; and, when their lordships look at the loss of the
Medusa on this occasion, they will agree with me, that the honour
of my flag, and the cause of their king and country, could never
have been placed in more gallant hands. Captain Bedford, of the
Leyden, with Captain Gore, very handsomely volunteered their
services to serve under masters and commanders: but, it would not
have been fair to the latter; and I only mention it, to mark the
zeal of those officers. From the nature of the attack, only a few
prisoners were made; a lieutenant, eight seamen, and eight
soldiers, are all which were brought off. Herewith, I send you the
report of the several commanders of divisions, and also a return of
killed and wounded, &c.