The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson Volume II Part 26

"Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton, widow of the Right Honourable Sir William Hamilton, have been of the very greatest service to our King and Country, to my knowledge, without her receiving any reward from either our King or Country--

"First, that she obtained the King of Spain's letter, in 1796, to his brother the King of Naples, acquainting him of his intention to declare war against England; from which letter the ministry sent out orders to the then Sir John Jervis, to strike a stroke, if opportunity offered, against either the a.r.s.enals of Spain or her fleets: that neither of these was done, is not the fault of Lady Hamilton; the opportunity might have been offered.

"Secondly, The British fleet under my command could never have returned the second time to Egypt, had not Lady Hamilton's influence with the Queen of Naples caused letters to be wrote to the Governor of Syracuse, that he was to encourage the fleet being supplied with every thing, should they put into any port in Sicily. We put into Syracuse, and received every supply; went to Egypt, and destroyed the French fleet.

"Could I have rewarded these services, I would not now call upon my country! But, as that has not been in my power, I leave Emma Hamilton, therefore, a legacy to my King and Country; that they will give her an ample provision, to maintain her rank in life.

"I also leave to the beneficence of my country, my adopted daughter, Horatia Nelson Thompson; and I desire she will use, in future, the name of Nelson only.

"These are the only favours I ask of my King and Country, at this moment, when I am going to fight their battle.

"May G.o.d bless my King and Country, and all those I hold dear! My relations it is needless to mention; they will, of course, be amply provided for.

"Nelson and Bronte."

"Witness,

Henry Blackwood,

T.M. Hardy."

This solemn call on his country can require no comment. Woe to the nation, which could dare to neglect such strong claims on it's justice and beneficence! The proverbial generosity of Britons will, no doubt, in due time, bountifully display it's accustomed munificence in favour of the parties.

The Honourable Captain Blackwood, who is a subscribing witness to the above codicil, after watching the enemy all night, had got on board the Victory about seven in the morning: and, with Captain, Capel, of the Phoebe; and Captain Prowse, of the Sirius; remained several hours in consultation with Lord Nelson. When his lords.h.i.+p became convinced, that the enemy could not possibly avoid an engagement, he displayed the highest degree of animation. Confident of victory, he said to Captain Hardy, and the other officers by whom he was surrounded--"They cannot now escape us! I think, we shall, at least, make sure of twenty of them.

I may, probably, lose a leg; but that will be cheaply purchasing a victory." However, it is an undoubted fact, that when the Honourable Captain Blackwood, in taking leave of his lords.h.i.+p, previous to the action, observed that, he hoped they should, in a few hours, meet again; the hero replied, in a firm tone--"My dear Blackwood, I shall never again speak to you!" This was no sentiment of despondency, but a strong sense of the danger to be apprehended from so unequal a contest. The enemy's line consisting of thirty-three s.h.i.+ps, eighteen of which were French, and fifteen Spanish; and the British fleet only twenty-seven: and, by the advantage of size, as well as numbers, they had a superiority of about three hundred and fifty guns. Ten thousand of their choicest troops were also distributed throughout the fleet, to ensure success by boarding; and their s.h.i.+ps were furnished with fire-b.a.l.l.s and combustibles of every description, in the hope of setting our's on fire. The French were commanded, in chief, by Admiral Villeneuve; and not by Admiral Decrees, as Lord Nelson had lately supposed would be the case; with Rear-Admirals Dumanoir and Magon: The Spaniards, by Admiral Gravina, commander in chief; with Admirals Don Ignacio Morea D'Alva, Don Domingo Guadalharas, and Commodore Don Baltazar. The structure of the enemy's line was somewhat new, as well as the intended mode of attacking them. It formed a crescent, convexing to leeward: every alternate s.h.i.+p being about a cable's length to windward of it's second a-head and a-stern, so as to seem a kind of double-line; leaving between them, when on their beam, a very small interval, and this without crouding their s.h.i.+ps. Admiral Villeneuve, in the Bucentaure, occupied the centre; and Admiral Gravina's flag was borne by the Prince of Asturias, in the rear: but the French and Spanish s.h.i.+ps appear to have been mixed, without any regard to national arrangement.

The mode of attack having been long determined on by Lord Nelson, and recently communicated, as has been seen, on the 10th instant, to the flag officers and captains, few signals were necessary. On first discovering the combined fleet, his lords.h.i.+p had immediately made the signal to bear up in two columns, as formed in the order of sailing, to avoid the inconvenience and delay of forming a line of battle in the usual manner. Lord Nelson, as commander in chief, led the weather column, in the Victory; and Vice-Admiral Collingwood, as second in command, that of the lee, in the Royal Sovereign. The following are the respective s.h.i.+ps of which the two British lines were composed--

BRITISH VAN, OR WEATHER COLUMN.

s.h.i.+ps. Guns. Commanders.

1. Victory 110 Admiral Lord Nelson, and Capt Hardy.

2. Temeraire 98 Capt. Harvey.

3. Neptune 98 Capt. Freemantle.

4. Conqueror 74 Capt. Pellew.

5. Leviathan 74 Capt. Bayntun.

6. Ajax 74 Lieut. Pilfold.

7. Orion 74 Capt. Codrington.

8. Agamemnon 64 Capt. Sir Edward Berry.

9. Minotaur 74 Capt. Mansfield.

10. Spartiate 74 Capt. Sir Francis Laforey.

11. Britannia 100 Rear-Admiral Northesk, and Capt. Bullen.

12. Africa 64 Capt. Digby.

REAR, OR LEE COLUMN.

13. Royal Sovereign 100 Admiral Collingwood, and Capt. Rotheran.

14. Mars 74 Capt. Duff.

15. Belleisle 74 Capt. Hargood.

16. Tonnant 80 Capt. Tyler.

17. Bellerophon 74 Capt. Cooke.

18. Colossus 74 Capt. Morris.

19. Achille 74 Capt. King.

20. Polyphemus 64 Capt. Redmill.

21. Revenge 74 Capt. Moorson.

22. Swiftsure 74 Capt. Rutherford.

23. Defence 74 Capt. Hope.

24. Thunderer 74 Lieut. Stockham.

25. Defiance 74 Capt. Durham.

26. Prince 74 Capt. Grindall.

27. Dreadnought 98 Capt. Conn.

Senior Lieutenants Pilfold and Stockham commanded for Captains Brown and Lechmere, who were called home to give evidence on the enquiry into the conduct of Sir Robert Calder.

FRIGATES, &c.

s.h.i.+ps. Guns. Commanders.

1. Euryalus 36 The Honourable Capt. Blackwood.

2. Sirius 36 Capt. Prowse.

3. Phoebe 36 Capt. Capel.

4. Naiad 36 Capt. Parker.

5. Pickle schooner 10 Lieut. Lapenotiere.

6. Entreprenante cutter 10 Lieut. Puyer.

While they were approaching the enemy's line, Lord Nelson repeatedly declared, that it was the happiest day of his life; and that, from the plan of his intended attack, he entertained not the smallest doubt that, before night, he should gain possession of at least twenty of their s.h.i.+ps. The last signal which preceded the battle, was an emanation from his great mind which will long be remembered; this was a private signal to the fleet, communicating by telegraph the following most emphatic sentiment--

"England expects every man to do his duty."

This took place exactly at twelve o'clock, and the battle instantly commenced by the leading s.h.i.+ps of the columns attempting to break through the enemy's line: Lord Nelson, in the Victory, about the tenth s.h.i.+p from the van; Vice-Admiral Collingwood, in the Royal Sovereign, about the twelfth from the rear. When Vice-Admiral Collingwood, at the head of the division under his orders, began the attack, and broke through the enemy's line, Lord Nelson, turning round to his officers, with the highest exultation, said--"Look at that n.o.ble fellow! Observe the stile in which he carries his s.h.i.+p into action!" The Victory, at four minutes past twelve, opened it's fire on the enemy's van, while pa.s.sing down their line; in about a quarter of an hour after which, finding it impossible to penetrate through, the Victory fell on board the eleventh and twelfth s.h.i.+ps. The Temeraire, Captain Harvey, by which the Victory was seconded, in consequence of the closeness of this part of the enemy's line, fell also on board one of them. These four s.h.i.+ps were thus, for a considerable time, engaged together as in a single ma.s.s; so that the flash of almost every gun fired from the Victory set fire to the Redoutable, it's more immediate opponent. In this state, amidst the hottest fire of the enemy, was beheld a very singular spectacle; that of numerous British seamen employed, at intervals, in very coolly throwing buckets of water to extinguish the flames on board their enemy's s.h.i.+p, that both might not be involved in one common destruction. His lords.h.i.+p had been particularly desirous to have began the action, by pa.s.sing a-head of the Bucentaure, Admiral Villeneuve's s.h.i.+p, that the Victory might be a-head of the French commander in chief, and a-stern of the Spanish Santissima Trinidada of a hundred and thirty-six guns, the largest s.h.i.+p in the world. The Bucentaure, however, shooting a-head, his lords.h.i.+p, who was thus obliged to go under that s.h.i.+p's stern, immediately raked it, and luffed up on the starboard side.

The Bucentaure fired four broadsides at the Victory, before our hero ordered his ports to be opened; when the whole broadside, which was double shotted, being poured in, the discharge made such a tremendous crash, that the s.h.i.+p was instantly seen to heel. Lord Nelson now shot a-head to the Santissima Trinidada. In contending with this s.h.i.+p, on the celebrated 14th of February 1797, our hero had already acquired considerable renown. Having got alongside his tremendous opponent, which he familiarly called his old acquaintance, he ordered the s.h.i.+ps to be lashed together. The battle was now raging with a fury not to be described; and the enemy's s.h.i.+ps being full of men, and many of them engaged muzzle to muzzle of the guns with our's, the carnage was most horrible. The crash, too, of the falling masts, yards, &c. incessantly mowed down, by the respective shots on both sides, with the almost general blaze, and incessantly tremendous roar, had an aweful grandeur which no verbal or graphic description or delineation can ever faithfully convey to the eye and ear. Our hero, amidst this most terrific scene, appeared to be literally in his glory. He was quite enraptured with the bravery and skill of all under his command: he was not displeased to find, that the enemy, in general, fought like men worthy of being conquered; of being themselves conquerors, in a better cause. In a dress richly covered with the honours which he had acquired by his prowess in former battles, he stood a conspicuous object of emulative worth to all the heroic men who surrounded him in this. Never had his aspiring and enraptured heart beheld a victory more brilliantly glorious awaiting their n.o.ble exertions. Ineffable delight, blended with a divine benignity, beamed over the hero's countenance. He felt conscious of being engaged in contending for all that is dear to man; and, consequently, struggling in a cause which could by no means be displeasing to Heaven. He doubted little the success of his country, for he knew in what he confided; but he was not presumptuous, for he had early been instructed, that "the battle is not always to the strong."

His own personal fate was ever humbly resigned to the will of the Great Disposer; live, or die, he was alone solicitous that he should live or die in glory. While victory, however, from all observation, appeared within his grasp, he could not but be conscious that individual danger every where hovered around. The Santissima Trinidada carried full sixteen hundred men; including a corps of troops, among whom were several sharp-shooters. Many other s.h.i.+ps had, also, Tyrolese riflemen on board. Amidst the conflict of cannon, fired muzzle to muzzle, showers of bullets were directed on the quarter-deck; where the distinguished hero stood, fearlessly giving his orders, and chearfully abiding every peril.

His heart was animated, and his spirits were gay. The stump of his right arm, which he always pleasantly denominated his fin, moved the shoulder of his sleeve up and down with the utmost rapidity, as was customary when he felt greatly pleased. Captain Hardy, apprehensive that Lord Nelson's peculiar attire pointed him out as too obvious a mark, advised the hero to change his dress, or cover himself with a great-coat; but he no otherwise regarded the precautionary advice, than by observing that he had not yet time to do so. It probably struck his great mind, that such an act might evince too much personal attention for a commander in chief to possess. In the mean while, the murderous desire of the enemy to single out the officers, continued growing more and more manifest. Of a hundred and ten marines stationed on the p.o.o.p and quarter-deck, upwards of eighty were either killed or wounded. Mr. Pascoe, first-lieutenant of the Victory, received a very severe wound, while conversing with his lords.h.i.+p; and John Scott, Esq. his lords.h.i.+p's secretary, was shot through the head, by a musket-ball, at his side, Captain Adair of the marines, almost at the same instant, experienced a similar fate. This was about a quarter of an hour past one o'clock; and, a few minutes afterward, Captain Hardy, who was standing near his lords.h.i.+p, observed a marksman in the mizen-top of the Bucentaure, which then lay on the Victory's quarter, in the very act of taking a deliberate aim at his beloved commander. Scarcely had he time to exclaim--"Change your position, my lord! I see a rascal taking aim at you!" when the fatal bullet unhappily smote the hero; and, having entered near the top of his left shoulder, penetrated through his lungs, carrying with it part of the adhering epaulette, and lodged in the spinal marrow of his back. A shout of horrid joy, from the enemy, seemed to announce their sense of the cruel success. His lords.h.i.+p was prevented from falling, by Captain Hardy; to whom he said, with a smile--"They have done for me, at last!"

As the officers were conducting him below, his lords.h.i.+p deliberately remarked that the tiller-rope was too slack, and requested that Captain Hardy might be told to get it tightened. In the mean time, Mr. Pollard, a young mids.h.i.+pman of the Victory, not more than sixteen years of age, having levelled a musket at the man who shot his lords.h.i.+p, the fellow was seen instantly to fall. All the surgeons being busily engaged with the wounded, our hero, as usual, insisted on waiting till his turn. The surgeon who examined the wound soon clearly discovered what must be it's fatal effect. Lord Nelson had attentively regarded his countenance; and, on beholding him turn pale, calmly said--"It is, I perceive, mortal!"

The Reverend Dr. Scott, who was looking for his wounded friend, Lieutenant Pascoe, in the c.o.c.kpit, to his utter astonishment and horror, discovered that his lords.h.i.+p had that moment been brought down. He immediately seated himself on the floor, and supported his pillow during the whole time of the surgeon's operations; indeed, except for a few moments, when he was sent to call Captain Hardy, he never left him.

After enquiring about the state of the battle, which the dying hero far more regarded than that of his wound, his lords.h.i.+p, who was much agitated, and evidently suffering the most extreme agony, suddenly exclaimed, in a hurried manner--"Doctor, remember me to Lady Hamilton, remember me to Horatia! Remember me to Lady Hamilton, remember me to Horatia! Tell her, I have made a will, and left her a legacy to my country." This was afterward repeated, in a calmer tone, to Dr. Scott; with whom he conversed, at intervals, in a low voice, but perfectly collected. At times, the pain seizing him more violently, he suddenly and loudly expressed a wish to die. Then, again, he would grow calm and collected, and address himself to Dr. Scott; speaking in low, though broken and unconnected, sentences. At first, he expressed an eager desire for drink; saying--"Drink! drink! drink, doctor!" and continually had lemonade given him. After each time of drinking, he was a short time calm and collected, and spoke a few sentences to Dr. Scott; then, the pain again seizing him, he would hastily call out--"Drink! drink!" His lower extremities soon grew cold and insensible, and the copious effusion of blood from his lungs frequently threatened suffocation. His eyes, however, appeared to brighten, and his spirits to revive, on hearing the cheers given by the crew of the Victory as the different s.h.i.+ps of the enemy surrendered. He frequently expressed much desire to have his face wiped; repeating, to Dr. Scott--"Wipe my face, doctor!

Doctor, wipe my face!" This being done, for a considerable time, he seemed to receive some comfort; but soon grew prodigiously anxious to see Captain Hardy. His lords.h.i.+p had several times sent for him; and, not finding him come, began to imagine that he was no more. It was found difficult to efface this idea; and Dr. Scott felt it necessary himself to call Captain Hardy, who had been unwilling to quit his post at such an interesting period. About half past four, however, Captain Hardy attended on his lords.h.i.+p; who eagerly enquired, how many s.h.i.+ps were captured. On being informed, by the captain, that twelve, which he could see, had certainly struck; and that, probably, more might have surrendered, as the victory seemed nearly compleat: the dying hero hastily exclaimed--"What, only twelve! there should have been, at least, fifteen or sixteen, by my calculation! However," added he, after, a short pause, "twelve are pretty well!" He requested that Captain Hardy would bear his kindest remembrances to Lady Hamilton, and to Horatia; and inform them that he had left them as a legacy to his king and country, in whose service he willingly yielded up his life. "Will you, my dear Hardy?" anxiously demanded his lords.h.i.+p. "Kiss me, then!"

Captain Hardy immediately kneeling, respectfully kissed the wan cheek of his adored commander. The dying hero now desired that his affectionate regards might be presented to his brave officers and men: and said, that he could have wished once more to have beheld his beloved relatives and friends, or even to have survived till he had seen the fleet in safety; but, as neither was possible, he felt resigned, and thanked G.o.d for having enabled him to do his duty to his king and country. His lords.h.i.+p had, latterly, most vehemently directed Dr. Scott to rub his breast and pit of the stomach; where, it seems probable, he now felt the blood beginning more painfully to flow, in a state of commencing congelation--"Rub me, rub me, doctor!" he often and loudly repeated.

This melancholy office was continued to be almost incessantly performed by Dr. Scott, till his lords.h.i.+p expired; and, indeed, for some time, afterward. The last words the immortal hero uttered, were--

"Thank G.o.d, I have done my duty!"

He had, before, p.r.o.nounced them in a lower tone of voice: saying--"Doctor, I have not been a great sinner; and, thank G.o.d, I have done my duty!" Then, as if asking the question, he repeated--"Doctor, I have not been a great sinner?" Doctor Scott was too much affected immediately to answer. "Have I?" he again eagerly interrogated. A paroxysm of pain now suddenly seizing him, he exclaimed, in a loud and most solemnly impressive tone--"_Thank G.o.d, I have done my duty! Thank G.o.d,_ _I have done my duty!_" After p.r.o.nouncing these words, he had, apparently, suffered no pain; but gradually went off, as if asleep.

Indeed, every person who surrounded him, except Dr. Scott, who had long felt the current of life sensibly chilling beneath his hand, actually thought, for some time, that he was only in a state of somnolency. It was, however, the sleep of death, the blood having entirely choaked up his incomparable heart.