Rear-Admiral Nelson, right arm shot off.
Captain Thompson, Leander, slightly.
Captain Freemantle, Seahorse, in the arm.
Lieutenant J. Douglas, ditto, in the hand.
Mr. Waits, Midshipman, Zealous.
In a small Spanish pamphlet, published at Madrid, with a translation of
which the author has been most obligingly furnished by Sir John Talbot
Dillon, though the account of our loss is so prodigiously exaggerated,
as to state the killed to be twenty-two British officers and at least
five hundred and sixty-six men, and adding that some accounts even make
it eight hundred, there are certainly several interesting particulars
which bear every mark of authenticity. The acknowledged loss of the
Spaniards, however, said to be only twenty-three killed, and
thirty-eight wounded, may be considered as not a little apocryphal.
Indeed, no reliance can be placed on their numerical exactness; for the
Fox cutter is asserted, by them, to have contained three hundred and
eighty men, instead of one hundred and eighty; and Rear-Admiral Nelson
is said to have lost his right arm, when in his boat, and before
landing, which obliged him to re-embark on board the Theseus, with the
other officers who accompanied him badly wounded, on the 23d, instead of
on the 24th.
This pamphlet informs us, that Captain Bowen, of the Terpsichore, who
was killed, had first proposed the attack of Santa Cruz to Admiral Sir
John Jervis; which he represented as very easy, having previously cut
out of that bay the Spanish frigate, Prince Ferdinand, from the
Philippine Islands. His chief pilot was a Chinese, taken out of his
former prize, who was also killed on the present occasion.
Lieutenant Robinson, of the marines, badly wounded, was properly
attended in the Spanish hospital. A copy of Captain Thompson's orders
had been found on him, by Don Bernardo Collagon; a brave and most
gallant Spanish youth, who had, sword in hand, defended his country with
great spirit, and was so generous and humane to the unfortunate wounded
enemy, that he is said to have actually stripped himself of his shirt to
make bandages for the wounds of the English. Great humanity, indeed, was
shewn to all the wounded; who were carefully re-embarked, many of them
in a dying state, immediately after the capitulation was signed. The
Spanish governor generously regaled all the English troops with bread
and wine, before they went into their boats, and invited the principal
officers to dine with him that day. This, however, they politely
declined; fearing some irregularity among their soldiers, from the
effects of the wine: but agreed to wait on the governor next day. They
accordingly did so: when, instructed by Rear-Admiral Nelson, they
offered, in his name, to take charge of the governor's dispatches for
the Spanish court; and he thus actually became the first messenger of
his own defeat.
In the mean time, he returned thanks to the Spanish governor, for his
great care of the sick and wounded, by writing him the following letter;
dated on board his majesty's ship Theseus, opposite Santa Cruz de
Teneriffe, July 26, 1797.
"SIR,
I cannot take my departure from this island, without returning your
excellency my sincerest thanks for your attention towards me, by
your humanity in favour of our wounded men in your power, or under
your care, and for your generosity towards all our people who were
disembarked, which I shall not fail to represent to my sovereign;
hoping, also, at a proper time, to assure your excellency, in
person, how truly I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
"Horatio Nelson.
P.S. I request your excellency will do me the honour to admit of a
cask of English beer, and a cheese."
"His Excellency, Don Antonio Gutierrez, Commandant General of the
Canary Islands."
To this friendly epistle, the Spanish governor immediately returned the
following liberal answer--
"Santa Cruz de Teneriffe,
26th July 1797.
"SIR,
With the highest pleasure, I received your esteemed favour,
proceeding from your generous and well-disposed mind; since, on my
part, I conceive, no laurel is due to him who only fulfils what
humanity dictates: and I have done no more, in behalf of the
wounded men, as well as others who disembarked; and whom, after
all warfare has ceased, I ought to consider as brothers.
"If, in the state to which the uncertain fate of war has led you,
it were in my power, or could any thing that this island produces
afford the least comfort or aid to you, it would yield me the
truest satisfaction: and, I hope, you will admit of a couple of
large flasks of Canary wine; which, I believe, is none of the worst
that this island produces.
"A personal intercourse will give me great pleasure, when
circumstances permit it, with a person so deserving, and of such
distinguished qualifications as you so feelingly indicate.
Meantime, I pray God to preserve you in his holy keeping; and am,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
"Don Antonio Gutierrez.
"P.S. I have received, and highly esteem, the cask of beer, and
cheese, which you have done me the favour to send me."
"Rear-Admiral Nelson."
On the 27th of July, there was a solemn Te Deum sung by the Spaniards,
in the parochial church of Santa Cruz: that day being the festival of
St. Christopher, the tutelary patron of the island; on which an annual
thanksgiving is celebrated, as being the identical day when that island
was first conquered, three hundred and one years prior to this period.
Such are the chief particulars of the Spanish account, as supplied by
Sir John Talbot Dillon's most respectable translation; and which places
in a very amiable point of view the characters of the respective
commanders.
On comparing the various accounts of this unfortunate expedition, there
are certainly some incongruities. In the numerous biographical memoirs
of Lord Nelson, either abridged or amplified from that in the Naval
Chronicle, it is stated that the rear-admiral "received his wound soon
after the detachment had landed." In these, too, it is added that,
"while they were pressing on with the usual ardour of British seamen,
the shock caused him to fall to the ground; where, for some minutes, he
was left to himself, till Lieutenant Nesbit, missing him, had the
presence of mind to return: when, after some search in the dark, he at
length found his brave father-in-law weltering in his blood on the
ground, with his arm shattered, and himself apparently lifeless.
Lieutenant Nesbit, having immediately applied his neck-handkerchief as a
tourniquet to the rear-admiral's arm, carried him on his back to the
beach; where, with the assistance of some sailors, he conveyed him into
one of the boats, and put off to the Theseus, under a tremendous, though
happily ill-directed, fire from the enemy's batteries. The day after the
rear-admiral lost his arm," concludes the Naval Chronicle account, "he
wrote to Lady Nelson; and, in narrating the foregoing transaction,
says--"I know it will add much to your pleasure, on finding that your
son Josiah, under God's providence, was instrumental in saving my life."
On the other hand, it seems remarkable that the Spanish relation of this
catastrophe positively pronounces him "to have lost his right arm when
in his boat, and before landing."
This, too, corresponds with the following short description of that
unhappy business; which, without any essential alteration as to facts in
it's transit, most assuredly proceeded from the ever to be revered
hero's own faithful lips.
The circumstance of so few boats hitting the mole with the rear-admiral,
who had appointed it as the general place of landing, after having been
baffled in his first design, proved fatal to the enterprise. By landing
in the surf, they lost their scaling implements; and Captain Troubridge
was not prepared instantly to storm the citadel, before the approach of
the Spanish troops, which could only have been carried by a sudden _coup
de main_. Rear-Admiral Nelson had only one foot out of the boat, and was
in the act of landing on the mole, under a most tremendous fire from the
batteries, when his arm was shot nearly off; and he fell back in the
boat. At that awful moment, he recollected the injunction of his
deceased uncle, on receiving the sword which he had thus been compelled
to drop; and, groping at the bottom, speedily recovered it, and firmly
grasped it in his remaining hand. He called to his brave companions in
arms, who had already landed to storm the mole, and directed them to
force the gate of the citadel; a task which, with all their exertion,
they found it impossible to accomplish, though they succeeded in spiking
several of the guns. At this juncture, Lieutenant Nesbit very humanely
took the handkerchief from his neck, and tied it round the shattered arm
of his father-in-law, a little above where it had been shot. The boat,
in the mean time, was hastening to return on board the Theseus, amidst a
most dreadful discharge from the batteries. It soon approached where the
Fox cutter had just been sunk by a shot under water; and the unhappy men
with which it had been charged, consisting of one hundred and eighty
persons, were in the act of struggling for their lives. This was a scene
of distress too dreadful to be passed, by their humane commander,
without at least endeavouring to lessen the extent of the calamity. As
many as possible of these poor fellows were instantly taken into the
boat; an office of humanity in which the rear-admiral himself eagerly
assisted, with his sole arm, smarting as he then was under the agony
occasioned by the recent separation of the other. The corporeal anguish
which he now felt, however, was mitigated by the solace he received in
thus rescuing a few of his brave fellows from impending destruction;
but, alas! the mental horror which he suffered, at beholding some of the
noblest of the human race compelled to be forcibly rejected, and
abandoned to their wretched fate, through dread of sinking his own
overcharged boat, admitted of no alleviation, and inflicted pangs on
his heroic heart, to describe which the powers of language are incapable
of yielding any adequate expression. Every possible exertion was used to
reach the Theseus, with a faint hope of the boat's returning in time to
save a few more of these unhappy victims; and, a chair being called for,
to accommodate the rear-admiral in getting on board, so impatient was he
for the boat's return, that he desired to have only a single rope thrown
over the side, which he instantly twisted round his left arm, and was
thus hauled up into the ship. It appears, on referring to the account of
the drowned, in the list of killed and wounded, &c. that eighty-three
only were saved; so that ninety-seven men, including officers, from the
different ships, thus miserably perished!
The rear-admiral, on getting aboard the Theseus, immediately suffered
the amputation of his arm; but, some mistake having occurred, in taking
up one of the arteries, which is described as having been united with a
nerve, by an ingenious French surgeon, he long felt the most
excruciating tortures.
The Earl of St. Vincent, in his dispatches to government relative to
this expedition, dated on board the Ville de Paris, off Cadiz, August
16, 1797, observes that, though the enterprise had not succeeded, his
majesty's arms had acquired a very great degree of lustre. "Nothing,"
says his lordship, "from my pen, can add to the eulogy the rear-admiral
gives of the gallantry of the officers and men employed under him. I
have greatly to lament," continues the noble earl, "the heavy loss which
the country has sustained in the severe wound of Rear-Admiral Nelson,
and the death of Captain Richard Bowen, Lieutenant Gibson, and the other
brave officers and men who fell in this vigorous and persevering
assault. The moment the rear-admiral joins, it is my intention to send
the Seahorse to England with him, the wound Captain Freemantle has
received in his arm also requiring change of climate; and I hope, that
both of them will live to render important services to their king and
country."
Accordingly, after receiving the kindest condolences from the Earl of
St. Vincent, and sending into Cadiz the dispatches of the worthy
governor of Santa Cruz, he immediately sailed for England.
This affair of Teneriffe, however unfortunate, being the first
expedition against a place, the whole of which was undertaken and
planned by himself, has been thought worthy of very particular
attention. That the plan was not defective in wisdom, the reader has had
an opportunity of sufficiently judging, by a perusal of the various
preliminary documents actually issued on the occasion. The undertaking
could only be expected to prove with certainty successful, by a secret
and rapid _coup de main_, which should suddenly have obtained
possession, in the first place, of the fort on the north-east side of the
bay; and, in the second, of the heights by which it was commanded. The
primary of these objects was wholly frustrated by the non-arrival of the
boats at the place of destination under cover of the night; for, at the
dawning of day, the Spaniards having discovered both the forces and
their intention, were induced to lose as little time as possible in
previously occupying the heights above the fort. Thus, by the delay of
the boats, in the first instance, and by waiting, in the second, to
consult with the rear-admiral, instead of at once pushing forward to
secure this essential post, the business was completely reduced to a
merely forlorn hope; and had better, from that moment, have been
entirely abandoned. The exalted mind of the rear-admiral, however,
though it felt, there is good reason to believe, the full force of this
opinion, being conscious of having received instructions, from his
commander in chief, to make a vigorous and spirited attack, and
convinced that such attack had not been yet made, could by no means have
satisfied itself, had he not at least endeavoured, whatever the risque
might prove, to execute, with every effort, the utmost intention of his
orders. With a promptness which never failed him, he now directed the
troops to be embarked from the shore; having resolved on vigorously
attacking the town, and even the citadel itself. This design, however,
he ingeniously contrived to cover, by remaining apparently inactive on
the 23d, as if he had entirely abandoned his intentions against the
place: and, on the 24th, by approaching and anchoring to the northward
of the town, and making every apparent disposition for assailing the
heights, he drew the notice of the Spaniards entirely to that quarter;
who, consequently, left less invulnerable the objects of his real
attention. The design of this meditated assault was certainly desperate;
and so conscious did he feel of it's danger, though nothing could deter
him from the attempt, that he has been frequently heard to declare the
sensation he experienced, on going over the ship's side, to enter his
boat, on the 24th at night, was a full conviction that he should never
return. There was, indeed, a hope of success, but it was a faint one,
and the evil genius of the expedition again interposed to defeat it. The
boats did not keep together, as instructed; they did not all land, as
directed, on the mole: and, in consequence, they were stove, by running
ashore through a raging surf; the ammunition in the men's pouches got
wet; and the scaling ladders were either lost, or forgotten in the
confusion of the scene. Even those who landed with Captain Troubridge,
and whose valour instantly got entire possession of the town, lost the
only chance there seems to have remained for successfully storming the
citadel, by waiting so long in expectation of the rear-admiral, who had
been fatally prevented from landing, and other aids and augmentations,
that the Spanish troops gained time to collect, and approach them, from
the vicinity, in such force as nothing but the matchless address and
intrepidity of British officers, and British men, could possibly have
braved and surmounted. That they were extricated, by a daring resolution
and determined valour, in Captain Troubridge and Captain Hood, which
would have done honour even to Rear-Admiral Nelson himself, is as
certain, as that no want of courage prevented, in the smallest degree,
the success of the enterprise. There can be no such possible imputation.
By bravery, alone, it was wholly unaccomplishable; it might, possibly,
have been effected, but even that is by no means certain, if they had
not been deprived of the chief hero's most fertile mental resources,
ever rising with the exigency, which his fatal wound had effectually
prevented--and which no other man must be censured for not possessing;
because, perhaps, no other man ever did possess them in so eminent a
degree. Besides, justice demands a due acknowledgment, that those who
may rank among the greatest of men, having others at hand whom they
consider as still greater than themselves, are to be excused for not
hastily relying on their own judgment; though delay should, as it
generally does in the operations of war, prove ultimately dangerous. The
same persons, left under the necessity of acting for themselves, might
be inspired with more confidence in their own ability, and proceed very
differently in their operations.
In lamenting that the several trials were not instantly made, which have
been suggested as remaining at all practicable, during the critical
periods alluded to, due regard must be paid to the opinions of those who
had better opportunities of judging from intervening circumstances. Not,
indeed, that it is by any means unusual for the most exalted characters
to discover, themselves, after the event, opportunities which might have
been seized, and which they have for ever lost, of performing some
peculiarly brilliant achievement. This is no disgrace. Of much regret,
it may often constitute a subject; of just reproach, never.
By indulging these reflections, there is no other object in
contemplation, than that of assisting to afford an accurate view of the
ability which was exerted in this unfortunate enterprise; and thus
demonstrating, by a new example, the force of the old observation--that
success is not always acquirable, even where it is most merited.
About the middle of September 1797, Sir Horatio Nelson having arrived
safely in London, had apartments engaged in Bond Street; where he was
attended by Dr. Moseley, the late celebrated Surgeon Cruikshanks, and
other gentlemen of the faculty.
It appears that, in consequence of a nerve having been improperly
included in one of the ligatures employed for securing a bleeding
artery, at the time of the operation--which ligature, according to the
customary practice of the French surgeons, was of silk instead of waxed
thread--a constant irritation, and perpetual discharge, were kept up;
and, the ends of the ligature, hanging out of the wound, being daily
pulled, in order to effect their separation, occasioned the severest
agony to the heroic sufferer, who had scarcely any intermission of pain,
either by night or day. His excellent spirits, however, never deserted
him: and, in fact, he had not felt the slightest degree of fever on the
occasion; a very unusual circumstance, after the loss of a limb.
His deserved popularity had already acquired such a height, that the
nation might be said to participate in his sufferings; and he received
the most consoling civilities from the Prince of Wales, the Duke of
Clarence, and other illustrious and noble characters. Friends flocked
around him. His worthy relatives hastened to attend and console him,
from the country; and Mr. Bolton, in particular, was his constant
companion.
Besides the order of the Bath, and the gold medal, which he had received
from his sovereign, in consequence of his important share in the victory
of the 14th of February, he had also been presented with the freedom of
the city of London in a gold box; and, in the month of October 1797, it
was generously resolved, by his majesty, to recompence his services, and
ameliorate his sufferings, by granting him a pension of one thousand
pounds a year.
The indispensable custom of presenting a memorial to the sovereign,
before any such grant can be issued, stating the nature of the services
for which it is intended, gave rise to the following very singular
recapitulation.
"_To the King's Most Excellent Majesty._
"The Memorial of Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. and a Rear-Admiral in
Your Majesty's Fleet,
"Sheweth--
"That, during the present war, your memorialist has been in four
actions with the fleets of the enemy: viz. on the 13th and 14th of
March 1795; on the 13th of July 1795; and, on the 14th of February
1797. In three actions in boats, employed in cutting out of
harbours; in destroying vessels; and, in taking three towns. Your
memorialist has also served on shore, with the army, four months;
and commanded the batteries at the sieges of Bastia and Calvi.
That, during the war, he has assisted at the capture of seven sail
of the line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven privateers of
different sizes; and taken and destroyed near fifty sail of
merchant vessels: and, your memorialist has actually been engaged
against the enemy upwards of one hundred and twenty times. In which
service, your memorialist has lost his right eye and arm, and been
severely wounded and bruised in his body; all of which services,
and wounds, your memorialist most humbly submits to your majesty's
most gracious consideration.
"Horatio Nelson."
The pension thus granted proved highly acceptable: but his wound
continued to torment him with unabated violence, till about the latter
end of November; when, having one night experienced the unusual
refreshment of a sound and lasting sleep, he was, on awaking, astonished
to find, that his wound felt nearly free from pain. Impatient to have it
examined, he sent for his surgeon; and, to their mutual surprise, the
silk instantly came away, at a single touch, without the smallest
difficulty. From this hour, the wound began to heal; and, with all that
characteristic piety of disposition, and that sincere gratitude to
Providence for signal deliverances, which he never failed to profess, he
gave the late Reverend Mr. Greville, of St. George's, Hanover Square,
the following form of thanksgiving, to be read at that church during the
time of divine service--
"_An officer desires to return thanks to Almighty God, for his
perfect recovery from a severe wound; and, also, for the many
mercies bestowed on him._"
"_December 8th 1797; for next Sunday._"
The original of the above thanksgiving, in his own hand-writing, is
still carefully preserved by the present Reverend Mr. Greville, son and
successor of the venerable clergyman to whom it was delivered by Sir
Horatio Nelson.
On the 13th of December, having been pronounced fit for service, by his
surgeons, he made his appearance at court; and his majesty received him
in the most gracious and tender manner: expressing, with peculiar marks
of sensibility, his excessive sorrow for the loss which Sir Horatio had
suffered, and the regret which he felt at beholding him in a state of
health apparently so far reduced as to deprive the country of his future
services. The brave admiral, however, immediately replied to his
sovereign, with the most respectful but dignified tone of expression, in
the following energetic and affectionate speech--"May it please your
majesty, I can never think that a loss, which the performance of my duty
has occasioned; and, while I have a foot to stand on, I will combat for
my king and country!"
His majesty appeared deeply affected by this manly and loyal answer;
and, in consequence, on the 19th, only six days after, Sir Horatio
Nelson received orders to hoist his flag on board the Vanguard, and
again proceed to the Mediterranean, as soon as that ship could be
properly equipped for the voyage.
Not having been before in England since he lost, at Calvi, the sight of
his right eye, it was about this period that he went, accompanied by Mr.
Bolton, to receive a year's pay, as smart-money; that being the
customary allowance, in the navy, on losing an eye or a limb: but could
not obtain payment, for want of the formality of a certificate from the
faculty, to testify that the sight was actually extinguished. Vexed, for
a moment, at what he considered as a superfluous and almost impertinent
requisition, it's loss being sufficiently notorious, though by no means
apparent, he not only immediately procured the desired certificate; but,
from whimsical pleasantry, humorously requested, and actually obtained,
at the same time, a certificate from his surgeons of the loss of his
arm, which was sufficiently obvious: asserting--with much propriety, in
his particular instance, at least--that one might just as well be
doubted as the other. On going, afterwards, to receive the sum, which
was the annual pay of a captain only, that being his rank when he
sustained the loss, the clerk observed that he thought it had been more.
"Oh, no!" jocosely replied the hero, "this is only for an eye: in a few
days, I shall come for an arm; and, in a little time longer, God knows,
most probably, for a leg!"
Accordingly, he soon after went again to the office, accompanied by the
same gentleman as before; and, with perfect good-humour, exhibited the
supererogatory certification of the loss of his arm.
In January 1798, Sir Horatio Nelson having presented to the city of
Norwich the sword of the Spanish admiral, delivered to him on the
memorable 14th of February 1797, an ingenious device, executed by Mr.
Windham of that city, was erected in the council-chamber of the
town-hall, to commemorate this event, and the consequent gift, which has
been thus described--To the ring of an anchor, is suspended a yard and
sail, supposed to be torn in action: on which is inscribed--"The Sword
of the Spanish Admiral, Don Xavier Winthuysen, who died of the wounds he
received in an engagement with the British fleet, under the command of
Admiral Earl St. Vincent, 13th of February 1797, which ended in the most
brilliant victory ever obtained by this country over the enemy at sea;
wherein the heroic valour, and cool determined courage, of Rear-Admiral
Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. had ample scope for their display. He, being a
native of Norfolk, has honoured the city, by presenting this sword,
surrendered to him in that action." From the flukes of the anchor, the
sword is suspended. Underneath, is the coat of arms of Sir Horatio
Nelson, which was given to him by the king. The crest is the stern of a
man of war; the supporters, are a sailor bearing a British lion,
trampling on the Spanish colours. The motto is--"Faith and works."
Sir Horatio appears to have spent his preceding Christmas, and
commencement of the present year, with his venerable father, and the
esteemed husband of his amiable younger sister, Mrs. Matcham, at Bath;
where, also, he might be desirous to recruit his health and vigour for
his approaching voyage. Certain it is, that he quitted Bond Street in
December, and was at Bath the beginning of February.
It was not till the 1st of April 1798, that the convoy which he had in
charge for Lisbon was completely ready; and, though he sailed with it,
on that day, from Spithead, the wind, at the back of the Isle of Wight,
coming to the westward, he was constrained to return to St. Helen's.
After waiting till the 9th, he proceeded to Lisbon with the convoy; and,
on the 29th of April, joined the Earl of St. Vincent, off Cadiz.
Not a moment was lost by these great men, in proceeding to co-operate
for the glory of their country. The crisis was peculiarly portentous.
Bonaparte, baffled in his views of invading England, or even
Ireland---after the last and most serious disaffection, recently
extinguished, in the mutiny of the home fleet, produced an almost
general unanimity of the country--had been engaged in preparing an
expedition, on a scale of imposing grandeur, for some object which was
endeavoured to be carefully concealed, till it should be manifested by
it's tremendous effects. The armament destined for this grand secret
expedition, which was collecting at Toulon, under Bonaparte, consisted
of thirteen ships of the line, and seven forty-gun frigates, with
twenty-four smaller vessels of war, and nearly two hundred transports;
the latter filled with troops, horses, artillery, provisions, and
military stores. In this fleet, it was said, were also to embark artists
and scientific men of every description, with ancient and modern
linguists, and all sorts of useful and curious instruments and
machinery, calculated to promote knowledge, and extend improvement, in
the intended country which they were about thus to seize and newly
colonize.
It was immediately agreed, by the Earl of St. St. Vincent, and Sir
Horatio Nelson, that the latter should the next morning sail, with the
Vanguard, Orion, and Alexander, of seventy-four guns each, the Emerald
and Terpsichore frigates, and La Bonne Citoyenne sloop of war, to watch
the motions of this formidable French armament. The Earl of St. Vincent
was at no loss to know who was the senior officer under his command, and
what was the customary etiquette; but he knew, at the same time, that he
had, as commander in chief, a discretionary power; and carrying, in his
own bosom, a dread responsibility to his country, he had not an instant
to hesitate on whom it was his duty to depend. To the noble earl's
magnanimity, therefore, is the country to be eternally considered as
indebted for affording our favourite hero the opportunity of
demonstrating his unequalled powers. By other commanders, as he formerly
most feelingly remarked, he had been always praised, but never promoted;
he was now promoted by his commander, and praised by all the world,
while his commander generously declared that no praise could do justice
to his actions. The confidence of the fleet, and of the nation too, were
with the Earl of St. Vincent; and, though a few mean and malignant
characters, envious of superior merit, Mould occasionally suggest their
base insinuations, that Sir Horatio Nelson might not be equal to the
management of a large fleet, the commander in chief, one of the first
naval tacticians any country ever produced, had early seen who had the
readiest and clearest conceptions of his own numerous plans, and well
knew that Nelson's genius would keep full pace with any augmentation of
command which it was possible he should ever obtain.
Sir Horatio, with the squadron abovementioned, sailed from Gibraltar on
the 9th of May; and, on the 17th, having captured a small corvette,
which came out of Toulon the preceding night, gained some little
intelligence respecting the fleet, but none to be relied on as to their
destination. His letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, mentioning this
circumstance, concludes with these words--"You may rely, my lord, that I
shall act as occasion may offer, to the best of my abilities, in
following up your ideas, for the honour of his majesty's crown, and the
advantage of our country." A sufficient proof of the concurrence of
sentiment in these two heroic commanders, which led to so glorious a
result.
On the 22d, being in the Gulph of Lyons, at two in the morning, a most
violent squall of wind took the Vanguard, which carried away all the
topmasts; and, at last, the foremast. The other ships also experienced,
though in a less degree, the ill effects of this severe gale. To add to
the disaster, the line of battle ships lost sight of their three
frigates on this eventful day; which proved to be that on which the
French armament had, at length, taken it's departure from Toulon, and
was then actually passing within a few leagues of the unconscious
sufferers employed to watch it's motions.
The little squadron now bore up for Sardinia; the Alexander taking the
Vanguard in tow, and the Orion looking out ahead for a pilot to conduct
them into St. Pierre's Road. This anchorage they happily reached on the
24th; and expected to have met with that friendly reception which their
distresses demanded, from a power professing neutrality. The governor of
St. Pierre, however, had received orders from the French, not to admit
any British ship; but no dread of hostilities could prevent the brave
admiral from resolutely anchoring in the road.
In a letter, written this very day, dated on board the Vanguard, St.
Peter's Island. Sardinia, May 24, 1798, and addressed to Lady Nelson, he
thus describes the effect produced on his mind by the dangers just
escaped.
"MY DEAREST FANNY,
"I ought not to call what has happened to the Vanguard, by the cold
name of accident: I believe, firmly, it was the Almighty's
goodness, to check my consummate vanity. I hope it has made me a
better officer, as I feel it has made me a better man. I kiss, with
all humility, the rod. Figure to yourself, on Sunday evening, at
sun-set, a vain man, walking in his cabin, with a squadron around
him, who looked up to their chief, to lead them to glory; and in
whom their chief placed the firmest reliance, that the proudest
ships, of equal numbers, belonging to France, would have bowed
their flags; and, with a very rich prize lying by him--Figure to
yourself, on Monday morning, when the sun rose, this proud,
conceited man, his ship dismasted, his fleet dispersed, and himself
in such distress that the meanest frigate out of France would have
been an unwelcome guest. But it has pleased Almighty God to bring
us into a safe port; where, although refused the rights of
humanity, yet the Vanguard will, in two days, get to sea again as
an English man of war."
This is the letter of a truly Christian hero, as well as of a most
affectionate and tender husband. It will not be hastily believed, by the
reflecting part of mankind, that he who possessed so high a sense of all
the relative duties as the immortal Nelson, had not afterwards good
reasons for being separated from the wife whom he could once consent
thus to address. What those reasons were, the reader will, probably, in
the sequel, be enabled to form a tolerably correct judgment.
Notwithstanding the unfavourable reception encountered at St. Peter's
Island, as hinted in the above letter, the resources of British seamen,
which are seldom known to fail, enabled them soon to surmount most of
their difficulties. Captain Berry, with the very able assistance which
he received from Sir James Saumarez and Captain Ball, contrived to
equip the Vanguard with a jury foremast, jury main and mizen topmasts,
and to fish the bowsprit, which was sprung in many places; and, on the
fourth day after anchoring in St. Pierre's Road, they again put to sea,
with top-gallant yards across.
In the mean time, Sir Horatio Nelson had addressed a letter to the
Viceroy of Sardinia, dated on board his Britannic majesty's ship, the
Vanguard, at anchor off the Island of St. Peter, 26th May 1798; in which
he remonstrated, with becoming dignity, but not without considerate
kindness, against the conduct he was experiencing.
"SIR,
"Having, by a gale of wind, sustained some trifling damage, I
anchored a small part of his majesty's fleet under my orders, off
this island; and was surprised to hear, by an officer sent by the
governor, that admittance was to be refused to the flag of his
Britannic majesty into this port. When I reflect that my most
gracious sovereign is the oldest, I believe, and certainly the most
faithful, ally which his majesty of Sardinia ever had, I could feel
the sorrow which it must have been to his majesty to have given
such an order; and also for your excellency, who has to direct it's
execution. I cannot but look at Afric's shore; where the followers
of Mahomet are performing the part of the good Samaritan, which I
look for in vain at St. Peter's, where it is said the Christian
religion is professed. May God Almighty bless your excellency, is
the sincere wish of your most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
It is not improbable, that this letter immediately occasioned a little
secret assistance to be bestowed. Certain it is, that some aid was
actually received, or they could not so soon have conveniently taken
their departure.
They now steered for their appointed rendezvous, which they reached on
the 4th of June; and were joined, next day, by La Mutine, Captain Hardy,
who was charged with orders to the admiral, and brought the highly
acceptable information, that Captain Troubridge, with ten sail of the
line, and a fifty-gun ship, had been detached to reinforce him. The
knowledge of this circumstance diffused universal joy throughout the
little squadron; which could scarcely be felt in a superlative degree by
the heroic commander himself, who was now about to obtain what it had
been the business of his life to acquire, an opportunity of evincing the
ability with which he felt conscious of having been gifted by Heaven. In
the exultation of his open and generous heart, he observed to Captain
Berry, that he should soon be a match for any hostile fleet in the
Mediterranean; and his only desire would then be, to encounter one.
The squadron, on the 6th, were widely spread, in anxious expectation,
looking out for the expected reinforcement. They were informed, that
several sail, then in sight, were Spanish ships, richly laden; but the
love of glory now filled too powerfully the hero's breast, to admit the
presence of any sordid or selfish passion. He had heard that, with the
storm in which his ships so severely suffered, the grand armament had
set out from Toulon; and, perhaps, but for this apparently unfriendly
gale, his little squadron might have become the prey of such greatly
superior force. The fury of that tempest, however, though violent, was
soon exhausted, and it's ill effects were quickly repaired: but the dark
storm of desolation, proceeding from the collected thunders of France
issued at the port of Toulon, was now passing dreadfully over the
menaced world; and every country seemed waiting, in awful horror, to
behold where it should finally burst, and fatally descend.
The consideration of the important part which Sir Horatio Nelson had to
act, in the grand theatre of the universe, now absorbed every other
consideration. The Alexander, indeed, had stopped one of the Spanish
ships; but, Captain Ball finding that it had on board eighty or ninety
priests, driven by French persecution from the papal sanctuary of Rome,
considered it would be an act of inhumanity to prevent their seeking an
asylum. He accordingly suffered the ship to proceed: bringing away only
a few volunteer Genoese seamen from the Spanish vessel, who expressed
their desire of the honour to serve in the British fleet, and their
resentment of the ill usage which they had recently experienced from the
detested French.
In a state of the most pleasingly painful anxiety did this little
squadron, and their impatient commander, continue to watch, for the
expected reinforcement, till the 8th at noon; when they had the
happiness to discover, from the mast-head, ten sail; and it was not long
before these were recognized to be British ships of war, standing on a
wind, in close line of battle, with all sails set. Private signals were
now exchanged; and, before sun-set, this important junction was
completely effected.
Captain Troubridge brought no instructions to Admiral Nelson respecting
the course he was to steer, nor any positive account of the destination
of the enemy's fleet. Every thing was left to his own judgment. The
pleasure which he felt at being thought worthy of such a command, called
forth every power of his grateful and magnanimous mind.
He had soon the felicity to find, that the captains under his authority,
had no need of particular instructions to keep in constant readiness for
battle; the ardour of their zeal anticipated his utmost wishes. The
decks of all the ships were perfectly clear night and day, and every man
was ready to take his post at a moment's notice. He perceived them, with
unspeakable satisfaction, daily exercising their men at the great guns,
as well as with small arms; and, in short, placing every thing in the
best state of preparation for actual service.
Knowing that the enemy had sailed with a north-west wind, he naturally
concluded that their course was up the Mediterranean. He sent La Mutine
to Civita Vecchia, and along the Roman coast, for intelligence; and, in
the mean time, steered with the fleet to Corsica, which he reached on
the 12th of June, without obtaining any intelligence. The next day, he
continued his course between Corsica and Elba, and between Planosa and
Elba; through the latter of which passages large ships, or fleets, had
not been accustomed to pass. On making the Roman coast, they were
rejoined by La Mutine; but Captain Hardy, with all his exertions, had
been unable to acquire any information.
Admiral Nelson now resolved to steer towards Naples, with the hope of
proving more successful in his enquiries. It had been rumoured, that the
plundering of Algiers was the object of the French armament; but this
account he considered as much too vague to warrant implicit adoption.
On the 16th, they saw Mount Vesuvius; and Captain Troubridge was
detached, in La Mutine, with letters to Sir William Hamilton, making
earnest enquiries respecting the French fleet, as well as of the powers
and disposition of the court of Naples to accommodate the British
squadron. In one of these letters, he says--
"If their fleet is not moored in as strong a port as Toulon,
nothing shall hinder me from attacking them; and, with the
blessing of Almighty God, I hope for a most glorious victory. I
send Captain Troubridge to communicate with your excellency; and,
as Captain Troubridge is in full possession of my confidence, I beg
that whatever he says may be considered as coming from me. Captain
Troubridge is my honoured acquaintance of twenty-five years, and
the very best sea-officer in his majesty's service. I hope, pilots
will be with us in a few hours; for I will not lose one moment
after the brig's return, to wait for any thing."
In the mean time, knowing the anxiety of his country, at this period, he
wrote to Earl Spencer, informing him of his belief that, if the French
fleet passed Sicily, towards which they had been seen steering, he
should imagine they were going on their scheme of possessing Alexandria,
and getting troops to India, on a plan concerted with Tippoo Saib.
"But," adds the hero, "be they bound to the Antipodes, your
lordship may rely that I will not lose a moment in bringing them to
action, and endeavour to destroy their transports. I have sent
Captain Troubridge on shore, to talk to General Acton, and hope the
King of Naples will send me some frigates; for mine parted company
on the 20th of May, and have not joined me since. The whole
squadron is remarkably healthy, and perfectly equal to meet the
French fleet." After observing, that he shall make sail the moment
Captain Troubridge returns, he concludes thus--"Highly honoured as
I feel with this very important command, I beg you will believe
that I shall endeavour to approve myself worthy of it; and that I
am, with the highest respect, your lordship's most obedient
servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
On the 17th, in answer to a letter sent by a boat from Sir William
Hamilton, he writes--"Captain Troubridge will say every thing I could
put in a ream of paper. I have only to observe, in my present state, if
I meet the enemy at sea, the convoy will get off, for want of frigates.
I submit this to you, to urge General Acton upon. The King of Naples may
now have part of the glory in destroying these pests of the human race;
and the opportunity, once lost, may never be regained. God bless you!
Depend on my exertions."
This day, too, he wrote the following very laconic, but truly
characteristic letter, for the Earl of St. Vincent; to be forwarded, by
Sir William Hamilton, from Naples.
"Vanguard,
off Naples,
17th June 1798.
"MY LORD,
"I have only to assure you, I will bring the French fleet to action
the moment I can lay my hands on them. Till then, adieu.
"Horatio Nelson."
Having received information, by Captain Troubridge, that the French
were at Malta, on the 8th, going to attack it; and that Naples, being at
peace with the French republic, could afford us no assistance; he seemed
to lament that even a day had been lost, by visiting the Bay of Naples,
and resolved instantly, by the shortest cut, to make the Pharos of
Messina.
Such, at least, was the apparent face of the business; but, in truth,
one grand object of Captain Troubridge's mission had been secretly
successful to a very high degree. He had reached Naples at five in the
morning: when Sir William Hamilton immediately arose, and communicated
on the business with the King of the two Sicilies and General Acton;
who, after much deliberation, agreed, that nothing could possibly be
done, which might endanger their peace with the French republic. Lady
Hamilton, in the mean time, aware what would be the decision; and
convinced, by all she heard from Captain Troubridge, of the importance
to the British fleet, as well as to the real security of the Neapolitan
and Sicilian territories, that the ports of these countries should by no
means be closed against those who were alone able to protect them from
the force or perfidy of General Bonaparte; without consulting any thing
but her own correct judgment, and well-intentioned heart, she contrived
to procure, from some being of a superior order, sylph, fairy, magician,
or other person skilled in the occult sciences, as many in Naples, as
well as elsewhere, positively profess themselves to be, a small
association of talismanic characters, fraught with such magical and
potential influence, in favour of the possessor, that the slightest
glance of this mystic charm no sooner saluted the eye of a Sicilian or
Neapolitan governor, than he was incapable of regarding any other object
except what the bearer presented to his dazzled view, or of hearing any
other injunction but that which the same person addressed to his
astonished ear; while his tongue was, at the same time, impelled to
secrecy, by the dread of an assured death. Possessed of this treasure,
Sir Horatio had immediately sailed; but, as his possession of this
talisman was to remain a profound secret, till those periods should
arrive when it must necessarily be produced, the same sort of
correspondence continued to be kept up, between the parties, as if no
such favour had been conferred on the hero by any friendly enchantress
whatever. Accordingly, the following epistle, dated on board the
Vanguard at Sea, the 18th of June 1798, was sent to Sir William
Hamilton, apologizing for not having answered the letter of that worthy
and most esteemed gentleman previously to sailing.
"MY DEAR SIR,
"I would not lose one moment of the breeze, in answering your
letter. The best sight--as an Irishman would say--was, to see me
out of sight: especially, as I had not time to examine the Marquis
de Gallo's note to you. I send you an extract of the Admiralty
orders to the Earl of St. Vincent, by which it would appear as
determined by the cabinet, to keep a superior fleet to that of the
enemy in the Mediterranean; for the Admiralty, you know, can give
no such orders, but by an order from the secretary of state. As for
what depends on me, I beg, if you think it proper, to tell their
Sicilian majesties, and General Acton, they may rest assured that I
shall not withdraw the king's fleet, but by positive orders, or the
impossibility of _procuring supplies_. I wish them to depend upon
me, and they shall not be disappointed. God forbid it should so
happen, that the enemy escape me, and get into any port! You may
rely, if I am properly supplied, that there they shall remain, a
useless body, for this summer. But, if I have gun and mortar boats,
with fire-ships, it is most probable they may be got at: for,
although I hope the best, yet it is proper to be prepared for the
worst; which, I am sure, all this fleet would feel to be, the
escape of the enemy into port. My distress for frigates is extreme;
but I cannot help myself, and no one will help me. But, I thank
God, I am not apt to feel difficulties. Pray, present my best
respects to Lady Hamilton. Tell her, I hope to be presented to her
crowned with laurel or cypress. But, God is good; and, to him, do I
commit myself and our cause. Ever believe me, my dear Sir, your
obliged and faithful
"Horatio Nelson."
On the 20th of June, the British fleet passed through the Pharos of
Messina, with a fair wind. The joy with which the Sicilians hailed the
squadron, when they discovered it to be British, gave the most heartfelt
satisfaction to all on board. A vast number of boats came off, and rowed
round with the loudest congratulations, and the most sincere exultations
of delight; as they had been apprehensive that the French fleet, having
secured Malta, was coming to act against them.
Having learned, from the British consul, that Malta had certainly been
attacked, and was reported to have, at least, in part, surrendered to
the French, he now addressed a letter to the most illustrious Grand
Master of Malta: apprizing him, that he was hastening to prevent that
island from falling into the hands of the common enemy; and instructing
him how to proceed till his arrival, which might be expected the
following Friday.
He had, at this time, reason to suppose, that the French were only in
possession of the old city; and, that their fleet was anchored between
Goza and Malta. Accordingly, he again wrote to Sir William Hamilton,
requesting him to procure, from the court of Naples, at least, a few
gun-boats, if they could supply nothing more, to assist in dislodging
the enemy from Malta, and prevent their expected subsequent designs on
Sicily.
Both the above letters were delivered to the British consul, who had
gone on board from Messina on the 20th; and, next day, the fleet
proceeded, with a press of sail, for Malta.
In the evening, being close off Syracuse, they hoisted their colours,
when a boat rowed out for about a mile; but, though the fleet brought
to, and the Mutine was sent in shore, it immediately rowed back again.
At day-break, the following morning, La Mutine, being off Cape Passaro,
spoke a Genoese brig which sailed from Malta the day before; and the
master informed Captain Hardy, that Malta having surrendered on Friday
the 15th, the French fleet had left it the very next day, and were gone,
as it was supposed, for Sicily. The wind then blowing Strong from the
west north-west, there was no possibility of getting to Malta till it
should moderate; and, even there, no better information might be
obtainable, while the French were in possession of the place. In the
mean time, he greatly suspected the truth of what the Genoese reported;
well knowing how often vessels had been stationed by the enemy to give
misinformation respecting their intended course. He would himself have
examined the master, but found that he had been gone some hours.
Thus situated, the admiral had no other guide than his own judgment;
and, after a due consideration of all the circumstances, having been
assured, by Sir William Hamilton, that Naples was at peace with the
French, and Sicily positively declared, by Bonaparte, not to be the
object, he determined to steer for Alexandria; with the hope of
frustrating the intentions of this armament, whatever those intentions
might finally prove.
From this period, to the 28th of June, only three vessels were spoken
with; neither of which, though two were from Alexandria, had seen any
thing of the enemy's fleet. This day, the Pharos tower of Alexandria was
perceived by the British squadron: and they continued wearing the land,
with a press of sail, till the whole of them had a distinct view of both
harbours; where, to the general surprise and disappointment of all, not
a French ship was visible.
Having arrived off this port, Captain Hardy was directed to run close in
with La Mutine, and send an officer on shore with the following letter
to Mr. Baldwin--
"SIR,
"The French having possessed themselves of Malta, on Friday the
15th of this month, the next day the whole fleet, consisting of
sixteen sail of the line, frigates, bomb vessels, &c. and near
three hundred transports, left the island. I only heard this
unpleasant news on the 22d, off Cape Passaro. As Sicily was not
their object, and the wind blew fresh from the westward; from the
time they sailed, it was clear that their destination was to the
eastward: and, I think, their object is, to possess themselves of
some port in Egypt, to fix themselves at the head of the Red Sea,
in order to get a formidable army into India; and, in concert with
Tippoo Saib, to drive us, if possible, from India. But, I have
reason to believe, from not seeing a vessel, that they have heard
of my coming up the Mediterranean, and are got safe into Corfu.
Still, I am most exceedingly anxious to know, from you, if any
reports or preparations have been made in Egypt for them; or any
vessels prepared in the Red Sea, to carry them to India: or for any
other information you would be good enough to give me, I shall hold
myself much obliged. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson."
The officer charged with this letter, brought back information that Mr.
Baldwin had left Alexandria nearly three months. There were, it
appeared, in the old port, one Turkish ship of the line, four frigates,
and about twelve other Turkish vessels; and, in the Franks port, about
fifty sail of vessels belonging to different nations. The line of battle
ship was observed to be landing it's guns, and the place filling with
troops.
What the brave admiral felt, at being thus disappointed, it would be
less difficult to conceive than to describe: certain it is, that the
anxiety which he suffered in consequence of this so long baffled
pursuit, brought on such violent spasms in the regions of his heroic
heart as continued occasionally to afflict him during the remainder of
his days.
In a letter which he wrote to his commander in chief, the Earl of St.
Vincent, immediately on discovering that the French were not at
Alexandria, after relating the particulars of his unfortunate progress,
he pours forth the effusions of his honourable bosom, in a strain so
affecting, that his biographer has been incapable of transcribing the
passage without tears.
"To do nothing," says this incomparable man, was, I felt,
disgraceful; therefore, I made use of my understanding: and, by it,
I ought to stand or fall. I am before your lordship's
judgment--which, in the present case, I feel, is the tribunal of my
country--and if, under all circumstances, it is decided I am wrong,
I ought, for the sake of our country, to be superseded: for, at
this moment, when I know the French are not in Alexandria, I hold
the same opinion as off Cape Passaro; viz. that, under all
circumstances, I was right in steering for Alexandria; and, by that
opinion, I must stand or fall. However erroneous my judgment may
be, I feel conscious of my honest intentions; which, I hope, will
bear me up under the greatest misfortune that could happen to me as
an officer, that of your lordship's thinking me wrong."
It was now the object of his incessant contemplation, to ascertain the
possible course of the enemy, and what could be their ultimate design.
He feared, indeed, that Sicily, in his absence, had fallen under the
French yoke. With a mind too perturbed for repose, he was wholly
incapable of remaining inactive. He shaped his course, therefore, to the
northward, for the coast of Caramania; that he might, as expeditiously
as possible, arrive at some quarter where information was likely to be
obtained. On the 4th of July, he made that coast; and, steering along
the south side of Candia, and carrying a press of sail, both night and
day, with a contrary wind, being also in want of water, the fleet came,
on the 18th, in sight of the island of Sicily, and he determined to
enter the port of Syracuse.
Such instructions, however, had been sent to the governor of Syracuse,
through the preponderancy of French interest at this period, that he
would have found it difficult even to enter, and probably have obtained
little or no refreshment of any kind, though much was absolutely
necessary, had he not, very fortunately, experienced the beneficial
effects of Lady Hamilton's powerful influence secretly exerted in the
only quarter which was not rendered impenetrable by the menacing
insinuations of the then Gallic resident at Naples. It was the
assistance he now procured, by virtue of the talismanic gift received
from Lady Hamilton, and without which he could not, in any reasonable
time, have pursued the French fleet, and possibly might never have come
up with them, that he so solemnly recognized, a short time before his
death, as to make it the subject of a codicil annexed to his will, in
which he expressly _bequeaths that lady to the remuneration of his
country_. On the 20th, in a letter to Sir William Hamilton, he says--
"It is an old saying, the devil's children have the devil's luck. I
cannot find, or to this moment learn, beyond vague conjecture,
where the French fleet are gone to. All my ill fortune, hitherto,
has proceeded from want of frigates. Off Cape Passaro, on the 22d
of June, at daylight, I saw two frigates, which were supposed to be
French; and, it has been said, since, that a line of battle ship
was to leeward of them, with the riches of Malta on board; but it
was the destruction of the enemy, and not riches for myself, that I
was seeking. These would have fell to me, if I had had frigates:
but, except the ship of the line, I regard not all the riches in
this world. From my information off Malta, I believed they were
gone to Egypt: therefore, on the 28th, I was communicating with
Alexandria, in Egypt, where I found the Turks preparing to resist
them, but knew nothing beyond report. From thence, I stretched over
to the coast of Caramania; where, not speaking a vessel who could
give me information, I became distressed for the kingdoms of the
two Sicilies: and, having gone a round of six hundred leagues, at
this season of the year, with an expedition incredible, here I am,
as ignorant of the situation of the enemy, as I was twenty-seven
days ago. I shall be able, for nine or ten weeks longer, to keep
the fleet in active service, when we shall want provisions and
stores. I send a paper on that subject herewith. Mr. Littledale
is, I suppose, sent up by the admiral to victual us; and, I hope,
he will do it cheaper than any other person. But, if I find out
that he charges more than the fair price, and has not the
provisions of the very best quality, I will not take them: for, as
no fleet has more fag than this, nothing but the best food, and
greatest attention, can keep them healthy. At this moment, we have
not one sick man in the fleet. In about six days, I shall sail from
hence; and, if I hear nothing more of the French, I shall go to the
Archipelago; where, if they are gone towards Constantinople, I
shall hear of them. I shall go to Cyprus; and, if they are gone to
Alexandretta, or any other part of Syria or Egypt, I shall get
information. You will, I am sure, and so will our country, easily
conceive what has passed in my anxious mind; but I have this
comfort, that I have no fault to accuse myself of: this bears me
up, and this only."