AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE OF THE DEATH OF LORD NELSON:

WITH

THE CIRCUMSTANCES PRECEDING, ATTENDING, ANDSUBSEQUENT TO, THAT EVENT;

THE PROFESSIONAL REPORT

ON HIS LORDSHIP'S WOUND, AND

SEVERAL INTERESTING ANECDOTES. 

BY WILLIAM BEATTY, M. D. 

Surgeon to the Victory in the Battle of Trafalgar, and now Physician to the Fleet under the Commandof the Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. &c. &c. &c. 

London:Printed By T. Davison, White-Friars;For T. Cadell and W. Davies, in the Strand. 

1807. 

_TO THE PUBLIC_. 

The Surgeon of the late illustrious Lord NELSON feels himself calledupon, from the responsible situation which he held on the eventful dayof the 21st of October 1805, to lay before the British Nation thefollowing Narrative. It contains an account of the most interestingincidents which occurred on board the Victory. (Lord NELSON's flag-ship)from the time of her sailing from England, in the month of September, till the day of battle inclusively; with a detail of the particulars ofHIS LORDSHIP'S Death, the mode adopted for preserving his reveredRemains during the subsequent long passage of the Victory to England, and the condition of the Body when it was deposited in GreenwichHospital. This short statement of facts is deemed a small but necessarytribute of respect to the memory of the departed Hero, as well as aprofessional document which the Public had a right to expect from theman who had the melancholy honour of being his principal medicalattendant on that occasion: and is presumed to be not unappropriatelyconcluded by observations on the state of HIS LORDSHIP'S health for sometime previous to his fall; with his habits of life, and othercircumstances, strongly proving that few men had a greater prospect ofattaining longevity, on which account his premature death is the more tobe deplored by his Country. 

It was originally intended that this Narrative should be published inthe LIFE OF LORD NELSON, undertaken by the Rev. J. S. CLARKE and J. M'ARTHUR, Esq. And it will still form a part of that Work; but from thelength of time which must necessarily elapse before so extensive andmagnificent a Publication can be completed, the Author has been inducedto print it in a separate form. 

Narrative

Lord NELSON sailed from St. Helen's in the Victory, with the Euryalusfrigate, on the morning of the 15th of September 1805, to take thecommand of the British Fleet cruizing before Cadiz. On the 18th heappeared off Plymouth; where he was joined by his Majesty's shipsThunderer and Ajax, with which he proceeded for his destined station. Onthe 20th he communicated by private signal with the squadron under thecommand of Rear-Admiral STIRLING, which passed within a few miles of theVictory; and the same day at noon, spoke his Majesty's ship Le Decade, having on board Rear-Admiral Sir RICHARD BICKERTON, who, was on hisreturn to England for the recovery of his health. 

Some bad weather and adverse winds were experienced by the Victory incrossing the Bay of Biscay, and on the 27th Cape St. Vincent was seen. Lord NELSON had dispatched the Euryalus ahead on the preceding day, toacquaint Admiral COLLINGWOOD with his approach; and to direct that nosalute should take place, nor any public compliments be paid to hisflag, on his assuming the command, as he wished the Enemy to be keptignorant of a reinforcement being received by the British Fleet. In theevening of the 28th, the Victory joined the Fleet; now consisting oftwenty-seven ships of the line, including the Victory, Ajax, andThunderer: the city of Cadiz was seen distant about fifteen miles, withthe Combined Fleets at anchor; and Admiral LOUIS, with five or six shipsunder his command, close in shore, watching the motions of the Enemy. 

On the 29th, prompt and decisive measures were adopted to prevent theEnemy from receiving any supplies of provisions by sea, which HisLORDSHIP was informed they were very much distressed for: cruizers werestationed off the Capes St. Vincent, St. Mary's, and Trafalgar; and thefrigates Euryalus and Hydra were ordered to keep off the entrance ofCadiz. His LORDSHIP now retired with the Fleet to the vicinity of CapeSt. Mary's, about fifty or sixty miles westward of Cadiz; keeping up aconstant communication with the frigates in shore, by means of three orfour ships of the line placed at convenient intervals for distinguishingthe signals of each other. This distance from, the Enemy's port waspreserved by His LORDSHIP, to prevent them from being speedilyacquainted with the force of the Fleet under his command; and that hemight avoid the necessity of bearing up in bad weather, and runningwith the Fleet through the Straits of Gibraltar when the westerly galesprevailed: as the inconvenience of being forced into the Mediterranean, had been felt by former Commanders in Chief; and would now have affordeda favourable opportunity to the Enemy of effecting their escape fromCadiz, or at all events have rendered their obtaining supplies lessdifficult. 

On the 1st of October Admiral LOUIS joined the Fleet, with a part of hissquadron (the Canopus, Spencer, and Tigre), from before Cadiz; anddeparted the next day with those ships, the Queen, and the Zealous, forGibraltar, to procure a supply of provisions, stores, and water, whichthey were much in want of. On the 4th he rejoined with his squadron;having received intelligence from the Euryalus by telegraph, that theFrench ships in Cadiz were embarking their troops, and preparing tosail. Lord NELSON however conceived this to be merely intended as astratagem, to draw him nearer to Cadiz, for the purpose of obtaining aknowledge of his force; and therefore directed Admiral LOUIS to proceedin the execution of the orders before delivered to him. 

Between the 7th and the 13th, His LORDSHIP was reinforced by the RoyalSovereign, Belleisle, Defiance, Agamemnon, and Africa, from England, andthe Leviathan from Gibraltar. The Agamemnon, Sir EDWARD BERRY, joined onthe 13th;[1] with intelligence that she had been chased on the coast ofPortugal a few days before by an Enemy's squadron, consisting of sixsail of the line. 

On the 13th in the evening, Sir ROBERT CALDER, in his Majesty's shipthe Prince of Wales, parted company with the Fleet, on his return toEngland. His departure Lord NELSON had some days before evinced ananxious wish to procrastinate, and was heard that very day to declarehis firm belief that the Combined Fleets would be at sea in the courseof ten days or a fortnight. [2]

On the 18th the Donegal, Captain MALCOLM, left the Fleet for Gibraltar. On the 19th his Majesty's ships the Colossus, Mars, Defence, andAgamemnon, formed the cordon of communication with the frigates inshore: the Fleet was lying to. About half past nine in the morning, theMars, being one of the ships nearest to the Fleet, repeated the signalfrom the ships further in shore, that "the Enemy were coming out ofport. " Lord NELSON immediately ordered the general signal to be made, with two guns, for a chace in the south-east quarter. The wind was nowvery light; and the breezes partial, mostly from the south-south-west. The Fleet made all possible sail; and about two o'clock the Colossus andMars repeated signals from the ships in shore, communicating the welcomeintelligence of "the Enemy being at sea. " This cheered the minds of allon board, with the prospect of realizing those hopes of meeting theEnemy which had been so long and so sanguinely entertained. It was wellknown to His LORDSHIP, that all the Enemy's ships had the iron hoops ontheir masts painted black; whereas the British ships, with the exceptionof the Belleisle and Polyphemus, had theirs painted yellow: and as heconsidered that this would serve for a very good mark of distinction inthe heat of battle, he made known this circumstance to the Fleet, andordered the Belleisle and Polyphemus to paint their hoops yellow; but theevening being far advanced when the signal was made to them for thispurpose, His LORDSHIP, fearing that it might not be distinctlyunderstood, sent the Entreprenante cutter to them to communicate theorder. 

During the night the Fleet continued steering to the south-east underall sail, in expectation of seeing the Enemy; and at day-break on the20th found itself in the entrance of the Straits of Gibraltar, butnothing of the Enemy to be discovered. The Fleet now wore, and made sailto the north-west; and at seven in the morning the Phoebe was seenmaking signals for "the Enemy bearing north. " At eight o'clock theVictory hove to; and Admiral COLLINGWOOD, with the Captains of the Mars, Colossus, and Defence, came on board, to receive instructions from HisLORDSHIP; at eleven minutes past nine they returned to their respectiveships, and the Fleet made sail again to the northward. 

In the afternoon the wind increased, and blew fresh from the south-west;which excited much apprehension on board the Victory, lest the Enemymight be forced to return to port. The look-out ships, however, madeseveral signals for seeing them, and to report their force and bearings. His LORDSHIP was at this time on the poop; and turning round, andobserving a group of Midshipmen assembled together, he said to them witha smile, "This day or to-morrow will be a fortunate one for you, youngmen, " alluding to their being promoted in the event of a victory. 

A little before sunset the Euryalus communicated intelligence bytelegraph, that "the Enemy appeared determined to go to the westward. "His LORDSHIP upon this ordered it to be signified to Captain BLACKWOOD(of that ship) by signal, that "he depended on the Euryalus for keepingsight of the Enemy during the night. " The night signals were so clearlyand distinctly arranged by His LORDSHIP, and so well understood by therespective Captains, that the Enemy's motions continued to be made knownto him with the greatest facility throughout the night: a certain numberof guns, with false fires and blue lights announced their altering theircourse, wearing, and making or shortening sail; and signalscommunicating such changes were repeated by the look-out ships, from theEuryalus to the Victory. 

The Enemy wore twice during the night: which evolution was considered byHis LORDSHIP as shewing an intention, on their part, of keeping the portof Cadiz open; and made him apprehend that on seeing the British Fleet, they would effect their retreat thither before he could bring them to ageneral action. He was therefore very careful not to approach theirFleet near enough to be seen by them before morning. 

The British Fleet wore about two o'clock in the morning; and stood onthe larboard tack with their heads to the northward, carrying theirtopsails and foresails, and anxiously expecting the dawn of day. Whenthat period arrived, the Combined Fleets were distinctly seen from theVictory's deck, formed in a close line of battle ahead on the starboardtack, standing to the south, and about twelve miles to leeward. Theyconsisted of thirty-three ships of the line; four of which werethree-deckers, and one of seventy guns: the strength of the BritishFleet was twenty-seven ships of the line; seven of which werethree-deckers, and three of sixty-four guns. Lord NELSON had, on the10th, issued written Instructions to the Admirals and Captains of theFleet individually, pointing out his intended mode of attack in theevent of meeting the Enemy;[3] and now, previously to appearing himselfon deck, he directed Captain HARDY to make the necessary signals for theorder and disposition of the Fleet accordingly. 

HIS LORDSHIP came upon deck soon after day-light: he was dressed asusual in his Admiral's frock-coat, bearing on the left breast four starsof different orders which he always wore with his common apparel. [4] Hedisplayed excellent spirits, and expressed his pleasure at the prospectof giving a fatal blow to the naval power of France and Spain; and spokewith confidence of obtaining a signal victory notwithstanding theinferiority of the British Fleet, declaring to Captain HARDY that "hewould not be contented with capturing less than twenty sail of theline. " He afterwards pleasantly observed that "the 21st of October wasthe happiest day in the year among his family, " but did not assign thereason of this. [5] His LORDSHIP had previously entertained a strongpresentiment that this would prove the auspicious day; and had severaltimes said to Captain HARDY and Doctor SCOTT (Chaplain of the ship, andForeign Secretary to the Commander in Chief, whose intimate friendshiphe enjoyed), "The 21st of October will be our day. "

The wind was now from the west; but the breezes were very light, with along heavy swell running. The signal being made for bearing down uponthe Enemy in two lines, the British Fleet set all possible sail. The leeline, consisting of thirteen ships, was led by Admiral COLLINGWOOD inthe Royal Sovereign; and the weather line, composed of fourteen ships, by the Commander in Chief in the Victory. HIS LORDSHIP had ascended thepoop, to have a better view of both lines of the British Fleet; andwhile there, gave particular directions for taking down from his cabinthe different fixtures, and for being very careful in removing theportrait of Lady HAMILTON: "Take care of my Guardian Angel, " said he, addressing himself to the persons to be employed in this business. Immediately after this he quitted the poop, and retired to his cabin fora few minutes: where he committed to paper the following short butdevout and fervent ejaculation, which must be universally admired astruly characteristic of the Christian hero; and the codicil to his will, which follows it:

"MAY the great GOD whom I worship grant to my Country, and for thebenefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may nomisconduct in any one tarnish it, and may humanity after victory be thepredominant feature in the British Fleet! For myself individually, Icommit my life to Him that made me; and may His blessing alight on myendeavours for serving my Country faithfully! To Him I resign myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen, Amen, Amen. "

 * * * * *

 "OCTOBER 21st, 1805. _Then in sight of the Combined Fleets of France and Spain, distant about ten miles_. 

 "WHEREAS the eminent services of EMMA HAMILTON, widow of the Right Honourable Sir WILLIAM HAMILTON, have been of the very greatest service to my King and Country, to my knowledge, without ever 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 arsenals of Spain or her fleets:--that neither of these was done, is not the fault of Lady HAMILTON; the opportunity might have been offered:[6]

 "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's 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 Lady 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 GOD 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"

The prayer and codicil were both written with HIS LORDSHIP'S own hand, within three hours before the commencement of the engagement. 

As the Victory drew near to the Enemy, HIS LORDSHIP, accompanied byCaptain HARDY, and the Captains of the four frigates (Euryalus, Naiad, Sirius, and Phoebe) who had been called on board by signal to receiveinstructions, visited the different decks of the ship. He addressed thecrew at their several quarters, admonishing them against firing a singleshot without being sure of their object; and expressed himself to theOfficers highly satisfied with the arrangements made at their respectivestations. 

It was now plainly perceived by all on board the Victory, that from thevery compact line which the Enemy had formed, they were determined tomake one great effort to recover in some measure their long-lost navalreputation. They wore in succession about twenty minutes past seveno'clock; and stood on the larboard tack, with their heads toward Cadiz. They kept a good deal of sail set; steering about two points from thewind, with topsails shivering. Their van was particularly closed, having the Santissima Trinidada and the Bucentaur the ninth and tenthships, the latter the flag-ship of Admiral VILLENEUVE: but as theAdmirals of the Combined Fleets declined shewing their flags till theheat of the battle was over, the former of these ships was onlydistinguished from the rest by her having four decks; and Lord NELSONordered the Victory to be steered for her bow. 

Several Officers of the ship now communicated to each other theirsentiments of anxiety for HIS LORDSHIP'S personal safety, to which everyother consideration seemed to give way. Indeed all were confident ofgaining a glorious victory, but the apprehensions for HIS LORDSHIP weregreat and general; and the Surgeon made known to Doctor SCOTT his fearsthat HIS LORDSHIP would be made the object of the Enemy's marksmen, andhis desire that he might be entreated by somebody to cover the stars onhis coat with a handkerchief. Doctor SCOTT and Mr. SCOTT (PublicSecretary) both observed, however, that such a request would have noeffect; as they knew HIS LORDSHIP'S sentiments on the subject so well, that they were sure he would be highly displeased with whoever shouldtake the liberty of recommending any change in his dress on thisaccount: and when the Surgeon declared to Mr. SCOTT that he would availhimself of the opportunity of making his sick-report for the day, [7] tosubmit his sentiments to the Admiral, Mr. SCOTT replied, "Take care, Doctor, what you are about; I would not be the man to mention such amatter to him. " The Surgeon notwithstanding persisted in his design, andremained on deck to find a proper opportunity for addressing HisLORDSHIP; but this never occurred: as His LORDSHIP continued occupiedwith the Captains of the frigates (to whom he was explaining hisintentions respecting the services they were to perform during thebattle) till a short time before the Enemy--opened their fire on theRoyal Sovereign, when Lord NELSON ordered all persons not stationed onthe quarter-deck or poop to repair to their proper quarters; and theSurgeon, much concerned at this disappointment, retired from the deckwith several other Officers. [8]

The boats on the quarters of the ship, being found in the way of theguns, were now lowered, down, and towed astern. Captain BLACKWOOD, ofthe Euryalus, remained on board the Victory till a few minutes beforethe Enemy began to fire upon her. He represented to His LORDSHIP, thathis flag-ship would be singled out and much pressed by the Enemy; andsuggested the propriety therefore of permitting one or two ships of hisline to go ahead of the Victory, and lead her into action, which mightbe the means of drawing in some measure the Enemy's attention from her. To this Lord NELSON assented, and at half past nine o'clock he orderedthe Temeraire and Leviathan by signal (the former of which ships, beingclose to the Victory, was hailed by His LORDSHIP) to go ahead for thatpurpose; but from the light breeze that prevailed they were unable, notwithstanding their utmost efforts, to attain their intended stations. Captain BLACKWOOD foresaw that this would be the case; and as theVictory still continued to carry all her sail, he wished Captain HARDYto acquaint His LORDSHIP, that unless her sail was in some degreeshortened, the two ships just mentioned could not succeed in gettingahead previously to the Enemy's line being forced: this however CaptainHARDY declined doing, as he conceived His LORDSHIP'S ardour to get intobattle would on no account suffer such a measure. [9]

About half an hour before the Enemy opened their fire, the memorabletelegraphic signal was made, that "ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN WILL DO HISDUTY, " which was spread and received throughout the Fleet withenthusiasm. It is impossible adequately to describe by any language, thelively emotions excited in the crew of the Victory when this propitiouscommunication was made known to them: confidence and resolution werestrongly pourtrayed in the countenance of all; and the sentimentgenerally expressed to each other was, that they would prove to theirCountry that day, how well British seamen _could_ "do their duty" whenled to battle by their revered Admiral. The signal was afterwards madeto "prepare to anchor after the close of the day;" and union-jacks werehoisted at the fore-topmast and top-gallant-stays of each ship, to serveas a distinction from the Enemy's, in conformity with orders previouslyissued by the Commander in Chief. By HIS LORDSHIP'S directions also, thedifferent divisions of the Fleet hoisted the St. George's or whiteensign, being the colours of the Commander in Chief: this was done toprevent confusion from occurring during the battle, through a variety ofnational flags. 

The Royal Sovereign now made the signal by telegraph, that "the Enemy'sCommander in Chief was in a frigate. " This mistake arose from one oftheir frigates making many signals. Lord NELSON ordered his line to besteered about two points more to the northward than that of his Secondin Command, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of the Enemy'svan to the port of Cadiz; which was the reason of the three leadingships of Admiral COLLINGWOOD's line being engaged with the Enemypreviously to those of the Commander in Chief's line. 

The Enemy began to fire on the Royal Sovereign at thirty minutes pasteleven o'clock; in ten minutes after which she got under the stern ofthe St. Anna, and commenced a fire on her. Lieutenant PASCO, SignalOfficer of the Victory, was heard to say while looking through hisglass, "There is a top-gallant-yard gone. " His LORDSHIP eagerly asked, "Whose top-gallant-yard is that gone? Is it the Royal Sovereign's?" andon being answered by Lieutenant PASCO in the negative, and that it wasthe Enemy's, he smiled, and said: "COLLINGWOOD is doing well. "[10]

At fifty minutes past eleven the Enemy opened their fire on theCommander in Chief. They shewed great coolness in the commencement ofthe battle; for as the Victory approached their line, their ships lyingimmediately ahead of her and across her bows fired only one gun at atime, to ascertain whether she was yet within their range. This wasfrequently repeated by eight or nine of their ships, till at length ashot passed through the Victory's main-top-gallant-sail; the hole inwhich being discovered by the Enemy, they immediately opened theirbroadsides, supporting an awful and tremendous fire. In a very shorttime afterwards, Mr. SCOTT, Public Secretary to the Commander in Chief, was killed by a cannon-shot while in conversation with Captain HARDY. Lord NELSON being then near them, Captain ADAIR of the Marines, with theassistance of a Seaman, endeavoured to remove the body from HisLORDSHIP'S sight: but he had already observed the fall of his Secretary;and now said with anxiety, "Is that poor SCOTT that is gone?" and onbeing answered in the affirmative by Captain ADAIR, he replied, "Poorfellow!"

LORD NELSON and Captain HARDY walked the quarter-deck in conversationfor some time after this, while the Enemy kept up an incessant rakingfire. A double-headed shot struck one of the parties of Marines drawn upon the poop, and killed eight of them; when His LORDSHIP, perceivingthis, ordered Captain ADAIR, to disperse his men round the ship, thatthey might not suffer so much from being together. In a few minutesafterwards a shot struck the fore-brace-bits on the quarter-deck, andpassed between Lord NELSON and Captain HARDY; a splinter from the bitsbruising Captain HARDY'S foot, and tearing the buckle from his shoe. They both instantly stopped; and were observed by the Officers on deckto survey each other with inquiring looks, each supposing the other tobe wounded. His LORDSHIP then smiled, and said: "This is too warm work, HARDY, to last long;" and declared that "through all the battles he hadbeen in, he had never witnessed more cool courage than was displayed bythe Victory's crew on this occasion. "

The Victory by this time, having approached close to the Enemy's van, had suffered very severely without firing a single gun: she had lostabout twenty men killed, and had about thirty wounded. Hermizen-topmast, and all her studding-sails and their booms, on both sideswere shot away; the Enemy's fire being chiefly directed at her rigging, with a view to disable her before she could close with them. [11] At fourminutes past twelve o'clock she opened her fire, from both sides of herdecks, upon the Enemy; when Captain HARDY represented to His LORDSHIP, that "it appeared impracticable to pass through the Enemy's line withoutgoing on board some one of their ships. " Lord NELSON answered, "Icannot help it: it does not signify which we run on board of; go onboard which you please; take your choice. "

At twenty minutes past twelve, the tiller-ropes being shot away, Mr. ATKINSON, the Master, was ordered below to get the helm put to port;which being done, the Victory was soon run on board the Redoutable ofseventy-four guns. On coming alongside and nearly on board of her, thatship fired her broadside into the Victory, and immediately let down herlower-deck ports; which, as has been since learnt, was done to preventher from being boarded through them by the Victory's crew. She neverfired a great gun after this single broadside. A few minutes after this, the Temeraire fell likewise on board of the Redoutable, on the sideopposite to the Victory; having also an Enemy's ship, said to be LaFougueux, on board of _her_ on her other side: so that the extraordinaryand unprecedented circumstance occurred here, of _four_ ships of theline being _on board of each other_ in the heat of battle; forming ascompact a tier as if they had been moored together, their heads lyingall the same way. The Temeraire, as was just before mentioned, wasbetween the Redoutable and La Fougueux. The Redoutable commenced a heavyfire of musketry from the tops, which was continued for a considerabletime with destructive effect to the Victory's crew: her great gunshowever being silent, it was supposed at different times that she hadsurrendered; and in consequence of this opinion, the Victory twiceceased firing upon her, by orders transmitted from the quarter-deck. 

At this period, scarcely a person in the Victory escaped unhurt who wasexposed to the Enemy's musketry; but there were frequent huzzas andcheers heard from between the decks, in token of the surrender ofdifferent of the Enemy's ships. An incessant fire was kept up from bothsides of the Victory; her larboard guns played upon the SantissimaTrinidada and the Bucentaur; and the starboard guns of the middle andlower decks were depressed, and fired with a diminished charge ofpowder, and three shot each, into the Redoutable. This mode of firingwas adopted by Lieutenants WILLIAMS, KING, YULE, and BROWN, to obviatethe danger of the Temeraire's suffering from the Victory's shot passingthrough the Redoutable; which must have been the case if the usualquantity of powder, and the common elevation, had been given to theguns. --A circumstance occurred in this situation, which shewed in a moststriking manner the cool intrepidity of the Officers and men stationedon the lower deck of the Victory. When the guns, on this deck were runout, their muzzles came into contact with the Redoutable's side; andconsequently at every discharge there was reason to fear that the Enemywould take fire, and both the Victory and the Temeraire be involved inher flames. Here then was seen the astonishing spectacle of the firemanof each gun standing ready with a bucket full of water which as soon ashis gun was discharged he dashed into the Enemy through the holes madein her side by the shot. 

It was from this ship (the Redoutable) that Lord NELSON received hismortal wound. About fifteen minutes past one o'clock, which was in theheat of the engagement, he was walking the middle of the quarter-deckwith Captain HARDY, and in the act of turning near the hatchway with hisface towards the stern of the Victory, when the fatal ball was firedfrom the Enemy's mizen-top; which, from the situation of the two ships(lying on board of each other), was brought just abaft, and ratherbelow, the Victory's main-yard, and of course not more than fifteenyards distant from that part of the deck where His LORDSHIP stood. Theball struck the epaulette on his left shoulder, and penetrated hischest. He fell with his face on the deck. Captain HARDY, who was on hisright (the side furthest from the Enemy) and advanced some steps beforeHis LORDSHIP, on turning round, saw the Serjeant Major (SECKER) ofMarines with two Seamen raising him from the deck; where he had fallenon the same spot on which, a little before, his Secretary had breathedhis last, with whose blood His LORDSHIP's clothes were much soiled. Captain HARDY expressed a hope that he was not severely wounded; towhich the gallant Chief replied: "They have done for me at last, HARDY. "--"I hope not, " answered Captain HARDY. "Yes, " replied HisLORDSHIP; "my backbone is shot through. "

CAPTAIN HARDY ordered the Seamen to carry the Admiral to the cockpit;and now two incidents occurred strikingly characteristic of this greatman, and strongly marking that energy and reflection which in his heroicmind rose superior even to the immediate consideration of his presentawful condition. While the men were carrying him down the ladder fromthe middle deck, His LORDSHIP observed that the tiller-ropes were notyet replaced; and desired one of the Midshipmen stationed there to goupon the quarter-deck and remind Captain HARDY of that circumstance, andrequest that new ones should be immediately rove. Having delivered thisorder, he took his handkerchief from his pocket and covered his facewith it, that he might be conveyed to the cockpit at this crisisunnoticed by the crew. 

Several wounded Officers, and about forty men, were likewise earned tothe Surgeon for assistance just at this time; and some others hadbreathed their last during their conveyance below. Among the latter wereLieutenant WILLIAM ANDREW RAM, and Mr. WHIPPLE Captain's Clerk. TheSurgeon had just examined these two Officers, and found that they weredead, [12] when his attention was arrested by several of the woundedcalling to him, "Mr. BEATTY, Lord NELSON is here: Mr. BEATTY, theAdmiral is wounded. "--The Surgeon now, on looking round, saw thehandkerchief fall from His LORDSHIP's face; when the stars on his coat, which also had been covered by it, appeared. Mr. BURKE the Purser, andthe Surgeon, ran immediately to the assistance of His LORDSHIP, and tookhim from the arms of the Seamen who had carried him below. In conveyinghim to one of the Midshipmen's births, they stumbled, but recoveredthemselves without falling. Lord NELSON then inquired who weresupporting him; and when the Surgeon informed him, His LORDSHIP replied, "Ah, Mr. BEATTY! you can do nothing for me. I have but a short time tolive: my back is shot through. " The Surgeon said, "he hoped the woundwas not so dangerous as His LORDSHIP imagined, and that he might stillsurvive long to enjoy his glorious victory. " The Reverend Doctor SCOTT, who had been absent in another part of the cockpit administeringlemonade to the wounded, now came instantly to His LORDSHIP; and in theanguish of grief wrung his hands, and said: "Alas, BEATTY, how propheticyou were!" alluding to the apprehensions expressed by the Surgeon forHis LORDSHIP's safety previous to the battle. 

His LORDSHIP was laid upon a bed, stripped of his clothes, and coveredwith a sheet. While this was effecting, he said to Doctor SCOTT, "Doctor, I told you so. Doctor, I am gone;" and after a short pause headded in a low voice, "I have to leave Lady HAMILTON, and my adopteddaughter HORATIA, as a legacy to my Country. " The Surgeon then examinedthe wound, assuring His LORDSHIP that he would not put him to much painin endeavouring to discover the course of the ball; which he soon foundhad penetrated deep into the chest, and had probably lodged in thespine. This being explained to His LORDSHIP, he replied, "he wasconfident his back was shot through. " The back was then examinedexternally, but without any injury being perceived; on which HisLORDSHIP was requested by the Surgeon to make him acquainted with allhis sensations. He replied, that "he felt a gush of blood every minutewithin his breast: that he had no feeling in the lower part of his body:and that his breathing was difficult, and attended with very severe painabout that part of the spine where he was confident that the ball hadstruck; for, " said he, "I felt it break my back. " These symptoms, butmore particularly the gush of blood which His LORDSHIP complained of, together with the state of his pulse, indicated to the Surgeon thehopeless situation of the case; but till after the victory wasascertained and announced to His LORDSHIP, the true nature of his woundwas concealed by the Surgeon from all on board except only CaptainHARDY, Doctor SCOTT, Mr. BURKE, and Messrs. SMITH and WESTEMBURG theAssistant Surgeons. 

The Victory's crew cheered whenever they observed an Enemy's shipsurrender. On one of these occasions, Lord NELSON anxiously inquiredwhat was the cause of it; when Lieutenant PASCO, who lay wounded at somedistance from His LORDSHIP, raised himself up, and told him that anothership had struck, which appeared to give him much satisfaction. He nowfelt an ardent thirst; and frequently called for drink, and to be fannedwith paper, making use of these words: "Fan, fan, " and "Drink, drink. "This he continued to repeat, when he wished for drink or the refreshmentof cool air, till a very few minutes before he expired. Lemonade, andwine and water, were given to him occasionally. He evinced greatsolicitude for the event of the battle, and fears for the safety of hisfriend Captain HARDY. Doctor SCOTT and Mr. BURKE used every argumentthey could suggest, to relieve his anxiety. Mr. BURKE told him "theEnemy were decisively defeated, and that he hoped His LORDSHIP wouldstill live to be himself the bearer of the joyful tidings to hiscountry. " He replied, "It is nonsense, Mr. BURKE, to suppose I can live:my sufferings are great, but they will all be soon over. " Doctor SCOTTentreated His LORDSHIP "not to despair of living, " and said "he trustedthat Divine Providence would restore him once more to his dear Countryand friends. "--"Ah, Doctor!" replied His LORDSHIP, "it is all over; itis all over. "

Many messages were sent to Captain HARDY by the Surgeon, requesting hisattendance on His LORDSHIP; who became impatient to see him, and oftenexclaimed: "Will no one bring HARDY to me? He must be killed: he issurely destroyed, " The Captain's Aide-de-camp, Mr. BULKLEY, now camebelow, and stated that "circumstances respecting the Fleet requiredCaptain HARDY'S presence on deck, but that he would avail himself ofthe first favourable moment to visit His LORDSHIP. " On hearing himdeliver this message to the Surgeon, His LORDSHIP inquired who hadbrought it. Mr. BURKE answered, "It is Mr. BULKLEY, my Lord. "--"It ishis voice, " replied His LORDSHIP: he then said to the young gentleman, "Remember me to your father. "

An hour and ten minutes however elapsed, from the time of His LORDSHIP'sbeing wounded, before Captain HARDY's first subsequent interview withhim; the particulars of which are nearly as follow. They shook handsaffectionately, and Lord NELSON said: "Well, HARDY, how goes the battle?How goes the day with us?"--"Very well, my Lord, " replied Captain HARDY:"we have got twelve or fourteen of the Enemy's ships in our possession;but five of their van have tacked, and shew an intention of bearing downupon the Victory. I have therefore called two or three of our freshships round us, and have no doubt of giving them a drubbing. " "I hope, "said HIS LORDSHIP, "none of _our_ ships have struck, HARDY. "--"No, myLord, " replied Captain HARDY; "there is no fear of that. " Lord NELSONthen said: "I am a dead man, HARDY. I am going fast: it will be all overwith me soon. Come nearer to me. Pray let my dear Lady HAMILTON have myhair, and all other things belonging to me. " Mr. BURKE was about towithdraw at the commencement of this conversation; but HIS LORDSHIP, perceiving his intention, desired he would remain. Captain HARDYobserved, that "he hoped Mr. BEATTY could yet hold out some prospect oflife. "--"Oh! no, " answered HIS LORDSHIP; "it is impossible. My back isshot through. BEATTY will tell you so. " Captain HARDY then returned ondeck, and at parting shook hands again with his revered friend andcommander. 

HIS LORDSHIP now requested the Surgeon, who had been previously absent ashort time attending Mr. RIVERS, to return to the wounded, and give hisassistance to such of them as he could be useful to; "for, " said he, "you can do nothing for me. " The Surgeon assured him that the AssistantSurgeons were doing every thing that could be effected for thoseunfortunate men; but on HIS LORDSHIP's several times repeating hisinjunctions to that purpose, he left him surrounded by Doctor SCOTT, Mr. BURKE, and two of HIS LORDSHIP'S domestics. After the Surgeon had beenabsent a few minutes attending Lieutenants PEAKE and REEVES of theMarines, who were wounded, he was called by Doctor SCOTT to HISLORDSHIP, who said: "Ah, Mr. BEATTY! I have sent for you to say, what Iforgot to tell you before, that all power of motion and feeling below mybreast are gone; and _you_" continued he, "very well _know_ I can livebut a short time. " The emphatic manner in which he pronounced these lastwords, left no doubt in the Surgeon's mind, that he adverted to the caseof a man who had some months before received a mortal injury of thespine on board the Victory, and had laboured under similar privations ofsense and muscular motion. The case had made a great impression on LordNELSON: he was anxious to know the cause of such symptoms, which wasaccordingly explained to him; and he now appeared to apply the situationand fate of this man to himself. [13] The Surgeon answered, "My Lord, youtold me so before:" but he now examined the extremities, to ascertainthe fact; when HIS LORDSHIP said, "Ah, BEATTY! I am too certain of it:SCOTT and BURKE have tried it already. _You know_ I am gone. " TheSurgeon replied: "My Lord, unhappily for our Country, nothing can bedone for you;" and having made this declaration he was so much affected, that he turned round and withdrew a few steps to conceal his emotions. HIS LORDSHIP said: "I know it. I feel something rising in my breast, "putting his hand on his left side, "which tells me I am gone. " Drink wasrecommended liberally, and Doctor SCOTT and Mr. BURKE fanned him withpaper. He often exclaimed, "GOD be praised, I have done my duty;" andupon the Surgeon's inquiring whether his pain was still very great, hedeclared, "it continued so very severe, that he wished he was dead. Yet, " said he in a lower voice, "one would like to live a little longer, too:" and after a pause of a few minutes, he added in the same tone, "What would become of poor Lady HAMILTON, if she knew my situation!"

THE Surgeon, finding it impossible to render HIS LORDSHIP any furtherassistance, left him, to attend Lieutenant BLIGH, Messrs. SMITH andWESTPHALL Midshipmen, and some Seamen, recently wounded. Captain HARDYnow came to the cockpit to see HIS LORDSHIP a second time, which wasafter an interval of about fifty minutes from the conclusion of hisfirst visit. Before he quitted the deck, he sent Lieutenant HILLS toacquaint Admiral COLLINGWOOD with the lamentable circumstance of LordNELSON'S being wounded. [14]--Lord NELSON and Captain HARDY shook handsagain: and while the Captain retained HIS LORDSHIP'S hand, hecongratulated him even in the arms of Death on his brilliant victory;"which, " he said, "was complete; though he did not know how many of theEnemy were captured, as it was impossible to perceive every shipdistinctly. He was certain however of fourteen or fifteen havingsurrendered. " HIS LORDSHIP answered, "That is well, but I bargained fortwenty:" and then emphatically exclaimed, "_Anchor_, HARDY, _anchor_!"To this the Captain replied: "I suppose, my Lord, Admiral COLLINGWOODwill now take upon himself the direction of affairs. "--"Not while Ilive, I hope, HARDY!" cried the dying Chief; and at that momentendeavoured ineffectually to raise himself from the bed. "No, " added he;"do _you_ anchor, HARDY. " Captain HARDY then said: "Shall _we_ make thesignal, Sir?"--"Yes, " answered HIS LORDSHIP; "for if I live, I'llanchor. "[15] The energetic manner in which he uttered these his lastorders to Captain HARDY, accompanied with his efforts to raise himself, evinced his determination never to resign the command while he retainedthe exercise of his transcendant faculties, and that he expected CaptainHARDY still to carry into effect the suggestions of his exalted mind; asense of his duty overcoming the pains of death. He then told CaptainHARDY, "he felt that in a few minutes he should be no more;" adding in alow tone, "Don't throw me overboard, HARDY. " The Captain answered: "Oh!no, certainly not. "--"Then, " replied HIS LORDSHIP, "you know what todo:[16] and, " continued he, "take care of my dear Lady HAMILTON, HARDY;take care of poor Lady HAMILTON. Kiss me, HARDY. " The Captain now kneltdown, and kissed his cheek; when HIS LORDSHIP said, "Now I am satisfied. Thank GOD, I have done my duty. " Captain HARDY stood for a minute or twoin silent contemplation: he then knelt down again, and kissed HISLORDSHIP'S forehead. HIS LORDSHIP said: "Who is that?" The Captainanswered: "It is HARDY;" to which HIS LORDSHIP replied, "GOD bless you, HARDY!" After this affecting scene Captain HARDY withdrew, and returnedto the quarter-deck, having spent about eight minutes in this his lastinterview with his dying friend. 

Lord NELSON now desired Mr. CHEVALIER, his Steward, to turn him upon hisright side; which being effected, HIS LORDSHIP said: "I wish I had notleft the deck, for I shall soon be gone. " He afterwards became very low;his breathing was oppressed, and his voice faint. He said to DoctorSCOTT, "Doctor, I have _not_ been a _great_ sinner;" and after a shortpause, "_Remember_, that I leave Lady HAMILTON and my Daughter HORATIAas a legacy to my Country: and, " added he, "never forget HORATIA. " Histhirst now increased; and he called for "Drink, drink, " "Fan, fan, " and"Rub, rub:" addressing himself in the last case to Doctor SCOTT, whohad been rubbing HIS LORDSHIP'S breast with his hand, from which hefound some relief. These words he spoke in a very rapid manner, whichrendered his articulation difficult: but he every now and then, withevident increase of pain, made a greater effort with his vocal powers, and pronounced distinctly these last words: "Thank GOD, I have done myduty;" and this great sentiment he continued to repeat as long as he wasable to give it utterance. 

HIS LORDSHIP became speechless in about fifteen minutes after CaptainHARDY left him. Doctor SCOTT and Mr. BURKE, who had all along sustainedthe bed under his shoulders (which raised him in nearly a semi-recumbentposture, the only one that was supportable to him), forbore to disturbhim by speaking to him; and when he had remained speechless about fiveminutes, HIS LORDSHIP'S Steward went to the Surgeon, who had been ashort time occupied with the wounded in another part of the cockpit, and stated his apprehensions that HIS LORDSHIP was dying. The Surgeonimmediately repaired to him, and found him on the verge of dissolution. He knelt down by his side, and took up his hand; which was cold, and thepulse gone from the wrist. On the Surgeon's feeling his forehead, whichwas likewise cold, HIS LORDSHIP opened his eyes, looked up, and shutthem again. The Surgeon again left him, and returned to the wounded whorequired his assistance; but was not absent five minutes before theSteward announced to him that "he believed HIS LORDSHIP had expired. "The Surgeon returned, and found that the report was but too wellfounded: HIS LORDSHIP had breathed his last, at thirty minutes past fouro'clock; at which period Doctor SCOTT was in the act of rubbing HISLORDSHIP'S breast, and Mr. BURKE supporting the bed under hisshoulders, [17]

Thus died this matchless Hero, after performing, in a short butbrilliant and well-filled life, a series of naval exploits unexampled inany age of the world. None of the sons of Fame ever possessed greaterzeal to promote the honour and interest of his King and Country; noneever served them with more devotedness and glory, or with moresuccessful and important results. His character will for ever cast alustre over the annals of this nation, to whose enemies his very namewas a terror. In the battle off CAPE ST. VINCENT, though then in thesubordinate station of a Captain, his unprecedented personal prowesswill long be recorded with admiration among his profession. The shoresof ABOUKIR and COPENHAGEN subsequently witnessed those stupendousachievements which struck the whole civilized world with astonishment. Still these were only preludes to the BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR: in which heshone with a majesty of dignity as far surpassing even his own formerrenown, as that renown had already exceeded every thing else to be foundin the pages of naval history; the transcendantly brightest star in agalaxy of heroes. His splendid example will operate as an everlastingimpulse to the enterprising genius of the British Navy. [18]

From the time of HIS LORDSHIP'S being wounded till his death, a periodof about two hours and forty-five minutes elapsed; but a knowledge ofthe decisive victory which was gained, he acquired of Captain HARDYwithin the first hour-and-a-quarter of this period. A partial cannonade, however, was still maintained, in consequence of the Enemy's runningships passing the British at different points; and the last distantguns which were fired at their van ships that were making off, wereheard a minute or two before His LORDSHIP expired. 

A steady and continued fire was kept up b; the Victory's starboard gunson the Redoutable, for about fifteen minutes after Lord NELSON waswounded; in which short period Captain ADAIR and about eighteen Seamenand Marines were killed, and Lieutenant BLIGH, Mr. PALMER Midshipman, and twenty Seamen and Marines, wounded, by the Enemy's musketry alone. The Redoutable had been on fire twice, in her fore-chains and on herforecastle: she had likewise succeeded in throwing a few hand-grenadesinto the Victory, which set fire to some ropes and canvas on the booms. The cry of "Fire!" was now circulated throughout the ship, and evenreached the cockpit, without producing the degree of sensation whichmight be expected on such an awful occasion: the crew soon extinguishedthe fire on the booms, and then immediately turned their attention tothat on board the Enemy; which they likewise put out by throwing bucketsof water from the gangway into the Enemy's chains and forecastle, thusfurnishing another admirable instance of deliberate intrepidity. Atthirty minutes past one o'clock, the Redoutable's musketry havingceased, and her colours being struck, the Victory's men endeavoured toget on board her: but this was found impracticable; for though the twoships were still in contact, yet the top-sides or upper-works of bothfell in so much on their upper decks, that there was a great space(perhaps fourteen feet or more) between their gangways; and the Enemy'sports being down, she could not be boarded from the Victory's lower normiddle deck. Several Seamen volunteered their services to LieutenantQUILLIAM, to jump overboard, swim under the Redoutable's bows, andendeavour to get up there; but Captain HARDY refused to permit this. Theprize however, and the Victory, fell off from each other; and theirseparation was believed to be the effect of the concussion produced bythe Victory's fire, assisted by the helm of the latter being put tostarboard. 

MESSRS. OGILVIE and COLLINGWOOD, Midshipmen of the Victory, were sent ina small boat to take charge of the prize, which they effected. [19] Afterthis, the ships of the Enemy's van that had shewn a disposition toattack the Victory, passed to windward; and fired their broadsides notonly into her and the Temeraire, but also into the French and Spanishcaptured ships indiscriminately: and they were seen to back or shivertheir topsails for the purpose of doing this with more precision. [20]The two Midshipmen of the Victory had just boarded the Redoutable, andgot their men out of the boat, when a shot from the Enemy's van shipsthat were making off cut the boat adrift. About ten minutes after takingpossession of her, a Midshipman came to her from the Temeraire; and hadhardly ascended the poop, when a shot from one of those ships took offhis leg. The French Officers, seeing the firing continued on the prizeby their own countrymen, entreated the English Midshipmen to quit thedeck, and accompany them below. The unfortunate Midshipman of theTemeraire was carried to the French Surgeon, who was ordered to give hisimmediate attendance to him in preference to his own wounded: his legwas amputated, but he died the same night. The Redoutable suffered somuch from shot received between wind and water, that she sunk while intow of the Swiftsure on the following evening, when the gale came on;and out of a crew originally consisting of more than eight hundred men, only about a hundred and thirty were saved: but she had lost above threehundred in the battle. [21]

It is by no means certain, though highly probable, that Lord NELSON wasparticularly aimed at by the Enemy. There were only two Frenchmen leftalive in the mizen-top of the Redoutable at the time of His LORDSHIP'Sbeing wounded, and by the hands of one of these he fell. These mencontinued firing at Captains HARDY and ADAIR, Lieutenant ROTELY of theMarines, and some of the Midshipman on the Victory's poop, for sometime afterwards. At length one of them was killed by a musket-ball: andon the other's then attempting to make his escape from the top down therigging, Mr. POLLARD (Midshipman) fired his musket at him, and shot himin the back; when he fell dead from the shrouds, on the Redoutable'spoop. 

The Writer of this will not attempt to depict the heart-rending sorrow, and melancholy gloom, which pervaded the breast and the countenance ofevery individual on board the Victory when His LORDSHIP'S death becamegenerally known. The anguish felt by all for such a loss, rendereddoubly heavy to _them_, is more easy to be conceived than described: byhis lamented fall they were at once deprived of their adored commander, and their friend and patron. 

The battle was fought in soundings about sixteen miles to the westwardof Cape Trafalgar; and if fortunately there had been more wind in thebeginning of the action, it is very probable that Lord NELSON wouldstill have been saved to his Country, and that every ship of the linecomposing the Combined Fleets would have been either captured ordestroyed: for had the Victory been going fast through the water, shemust have dismasted the Redoutable, and would of course have passed onto attack another ship; consequently His LORDSHIP would not have been solong nor so much exposed to the Enemy's musketry. From the samecircumstance of there being but little wind, several of the Enemy'sships made off before the rear and bad-sailing ships of the Britishlines could come up to secure them. 

THE Victory had no musketry in her tops: as His LORDSHIP had a strongaversion to small arms being placed there, from the danger of theirsetting fire to the sails; which was exemplified by the destruction ofthe French ship L'Achille in this battle. It is a species of warfare bywhich individuals may suffer, and now and then a Commander be pickedoff: but it never can decide the fate of a general engagement; and acircumstance in many respects similar to that of the Victory's runningon board of the Redoutable, may not occur again in the course ofcenturies. The loss sustained by the Victory amounted to fifty-fivekilled, and a hundred and two wounded;[22] and it is highly honourableto the discipline and established regulations of the ship, that not onecasualty from accident occurred on board during the engagement. 

On the day after the battle, as soon as circumstances permitted theSurgeon to devote a portion of his attention to the care of LordNELSON'S honoured Remains, measures were adopted to preserve them aseffectually as the means then on board the Victory allowed. On theSurgeon's examining the nature of the wound, and the course of theball, a quantity of blood was evacuated from the left side of thebreast: none had escaped before. The ball was traced by a probe to thespine, but its lodgment could not at that time be discovered. There wasno lead on board to make a coffin: a cask called a leaguer, which is ofthe largest size on shipboard, was therefore chosen for the reception ofthe Body; which, after the hair had been cut off, was stripped of theclothes except the shirt, and put into it, and the Cask was then filledwith brandy. [23]

In the evening after this melancholy task was accomplished, the galecame on with violence from the south-west, and continued that night andthe succeeding day without any abatement. During this boisterousweather, Lord NELSON'S Body remained under the charge of a sentinel onthe middle deck. The cask was placed on its end, having a closedaperture at its top and another below; the object of which was, that asa frequent renewal of the spirit was thought necessary, the old couldthus be drawn off below and a fresh quantity introduced above, withoutmoving the cask, or occasioning the least agitation of the Body. On the24th there was a disengagement of air from the Body to such a degree, that the sentinel became alarmed on seeing the head of the cask raised:he therefore applied to the Officers, who were under the necessity ofhaving the cask spiled to give the air a discharge. After this, noconsiderable collection of air took place. The spirit was drawn offonce, and the cask filled again, before the arrival of the Victory atGibraltar (on the 28th of October): where spirit of wine was procured;and the cask, shewing a deficit produced by the Body's absorbing aconsiderable quantity of the brandy, was then filled up with it. 

On the 29th the Victory's Seamen and Marines dangerously wounded in theaction, were sent on shore to the naval hospital at Gibraltar. Theinterval between this day and the 2nd of November was employed inrepairing the damage sustained by the ship, erecting jury-masts, fittingher rigging, and completing her in every respect for the voyage toEngland. On the 2nd of November, preparations were made on board toreceive the wounded from the hospital, who had unanimously entreatedCaptain HARDY not to leave them behind: but their embarkation could notbe effected this day; and the Victory being ordered to quit theanchorage in Gibraltar Bay, to make room for the disabled ships andprizes daily arriving, she sailed in the evening for Tetuan Bay, forthe purpose of taking on board a supply of fresh water, and awaitingthere a favourable wind to pass the Straits. During the night however, and before the Victory gained the coast of Barbary, the wind, which hadblown for several days from the west, shifted to the eastward, and afresh breeze sprung up; she therefore changed her course, and stood backagain for Gibraltar, where she arrived early in the morning. She thenlay-to in the bay without anchoring, and the boats were immediately senton shore for the wounded; who were all brought off by noon, except fiveof the worst cases who could not be removed. [24] In the afternoon theVictory and Belleisle sailed from Gibraltar Bay, and passed through theStraits during the night of the 4th. The next day at noon they joinedthe squadron under the command of Admiral COLLINGWOOD, then cruising offCadiz; from which they parted company the same evening, and pursuedtheir course together for England. 

When the Victory had proceeded some weeks on her voyage, adverse windsand tempestuous weather having prolonged the passage much beyond theperiod that is generally expected, it was thought proper to draw off thespirit from the cask containing Lord NELSON'S Body, and renew it; andthis was done twice. On these occasions brandy was used in theproportion of two-thirds to one of spirit of wine. 

At length the Victory arrived at Spithead, after a tedious passage ofnearly five weeks from Gibraltar: and as no instructions respecting HisLORDSHIP'S Remains were received at Portsmouth while the ship remainedthere, and orders being transmitted to Captain HARDY for her to proceedto the Nore, the Surgeon represented to him the necessity of examiningthe state of the Body; common report giving reason to believe that itwas intended to lie in state at Greenwich Hospital, and to be literallyexposed to the public. On the 11th of December therefore, the day onwhich the Victory sailed from Spithead for the Nore, Lord NELSON'S Bodywas taken from the cask in which it had been kept since the day afterhis death. On inspecting it externally, it exhibited a state of perfectpreservation, without being in the smallest degree offensive. Therewere, however, some appearances that induced the Surgeon to examine thecondition of the bowels; which were found to be much decayed, and likelyin a short time to communicate the process of putrefaction to the restof the Body: the parts already injured were therefore removed. It was atthis time that the fatal ball was discovered: it had passed through thespine, and lodged in the muscles of the back, towards the right side, and a little below the shoulder-blade. A very considerable portion ofthe gold-lace, pad, and lining of the epaulette, with a piece of thecoat, was found attached to the ball: the lace of the epaulette was asfirmly so, as if it had been inserted into the metal while in a state offusion. [25]

The following is the professional Report on HIS LORDSHIP'S wound anddeath, made by the Surgeon on this occasion;

 "_His Majesty's Ship Victory, at Sea, 11th December, 1805_. 

"About the middle of the action with the Combined Fleets on the 21st ofOctober last, the late illustrious Commander in Chief Lord NELSON wasmortally wounded in the left breast by a musket-ball, supposed to befired from the mizen-top of La Redoutable French ship of the line, which the Victory fell on board of early in the battle. HIS LORDSHIP wasin the act of turning on the quarter-deck with his face towards theEnemy, when he received his wound: he instantly fell; and was carried tothe cockpit, where he lived about two hours. [26] On being brought below, he complained of acute pain about the sixth or seventh dorsal vertebra, and of privation of sense and motion of the body and inferiorextremities. His respiration was short and difficult; pulse weak, small, and irregular. He frequently declared his back was shot through, that hefelt every instant a gush of blood within his breast, and that he hadsensations which indicated to him the approach of death. In the courseof an hour his pulse became indistinct, and was gradually lost in thearm. His extremities and forehead became soon afterwards cold. Heretained his wonted energy of mind, and exercise of his faculties, tillthe last moment of his existence; and when the victory as signal asdecisive was announced to him, he expressed his pious acknowledgments, and heart-felt satisfaction at the glorious event, in the most emphaticlanguage. He then delivered his last orders with his usual precision, and in a few minutes afterwards expired without a struggle. 

"_Course and site of the Ball, as ascertained since death. _

"The ball struck the fore part of HIS LORDSHIP'S epaulette; and enteredthe left shoulder immediately before the processus acromion scapulae, which it slightly fractured. It then descended obliquely into thethorax, fracturing the second and third ribs: and after penetrating theleft lobe of the lungs, and dividing in its passage a large branch ofthe pulmonary artery, it entered the left side of the spine between thesixth and seventh dorsal vertebræ, fractured the left transverse processof the sixth dorsal vertebra, wounded the medulla spinalis, andfracturing the right transverse process of the seventh vertebra, madeits way from the right side of the spine, directing its course throughthe muscles of the back; and lodged therein, about two inches below theinferior angle of the right scapula. On removing the ball, a portion ofthe gold-lace and pad of the epaulette, together with a small piece ofHIS LORDSHIP'S coat, was found firmly attached to it. [27]

"W. BEATTY. "

The Remains were wrapped in cotton vestments, and rolled from head tofoot with bandages of the same material, in the ancient mode ofembalming. The Body was then put into a leaden coffin, filled withbrandy holding in solution camphor and myrrh. [28] This coffin wasinclosed in a wooden one, and placed in the after-part of HIS LORDSHIP'Scabin; where it remained till the 21st of December, when an order wasreceived from the Admiralty for the removal of the Body. The coffin thathad been made from the mainmast of the French Commander's ship L'Orient, and presented to HIS LORDSHIP by his friend Captain HOLLOWELL, afterthe battle of the Nile, being then received on board, the leaden coffinwas opened, and the Body taken out; when it was found still in mostexcellent condition, and completely plastic. The features were somewhattumid, from absorption of the spirit; but on using friction with anapkin, they resumed in a great degree their natural character. All theOfficers of the ship, and several of HIS LORDSHIP'S friends, as well assome of Captain HARDY'S, who had come on board the Victory that day fromthe shore, were present at the time of the Body's being removed from theleaden coffin; and witnessed its undecayed state after a lapse of twomonths since death, which excited the surprise of all who beheld it. This was the last time the mortal part of the lamented Hero was seen byhuman eyes; as the Body, after being dressed in a shirt, stockings, uniform small-clothes and waistcoat, neckcloth, and night-cap, was thenplaced in the shell made from L'Orient's mast, and covered with theshrouding. This was inclosed in a leaden coffin; which was soldered upimmediately, and put into another wooden shell: in which manner it wassent out of the Victory into Commissioner GREY'S yacht, which was hauledalongside for that purpose. In this vessel the revered Remains wereconveyed to Greenwich Hospital; attended by the Reverend Doctor SCOTT, and Messrs. TYSON and WHITBY. 

LORD NELSON had often talked with Captain HARDY on the subject of hisbeing killed in battle, which appeared indeed to be a favourite topic ofconversation with him. He was always prepared to lay down his life inthe service of his Country; and whenever it should please Providence toremove him from this world, it was the most ambitious wish of his soulto die in the fight, and in the very hour of a great and signal victory. In this he was gratified: his end was glorious; and he died as he hadlived, one of the greatest among men. 

The following Prayer, found in HIS LORDSHIP'S memorandum-book, --andwritten with his own hand on the night of his leaving Merton, at one ofthe places where he changed horses (supposed to be Guildford) on his wayto join the Victory at Portsmouth, --is highly illustrative of thosesentiments of combined piety and patriotic heroism with which he wasinspired:

_"Friday Night, 13th September_. 

"Friday night, at half past ten, drove from dear, dear Merton, where Ileft all which I hold dear in this world, to go to serve my King andCountry. May the great GOD whom I adore, enable me to fulfil theexpectations of my Country! and if it is His good pleasure that I shouldreturn, my thanks will never cease being offered up to the throne of Hismercy. But if it is His good providence to cut short my days uponearth, I bow with the greatest submission; relying that He will protectthose, so dear to me, that I may leave behind. His will be done!

"AMEN, amen, amen. "

HIS LORDSHIP had on several occasions told Captain HARDY, that if heshould fall in battle in a foreign climate, he wished his body to beconveyed to England; and that if his Country should think proper tointer him at the public expence, he wished to be buried in Saint Paul's, as well as that his monument should be erected there. He explained hisreasons for preferring Saint Paul's to Westminster Abbey, which wererather curious: he said that he remembered hearing it stated as an oldtradition when he was a boy, that Westminster Abbey was built on a spotwhere once existed a deep morass; and he thought it likely that thelapse of time would reduce the ground on which it now stands to itsprimitive state of a swamp, without leaving a trace of the Abbey. Headded, that his actual observations confirmed the probability of thisevent. He also repeated to Captain HARDY several times during the lasttwo years of his life: "Should I be killed, HARDY, and my Country notbury me, you know what to do with me;" meaning that his body was in thatcase to be laid by the side of his Father's, in his native village ofBurnham Thorpe in Norfolk: and this, as has been before mentioned (inpage 48), he adverted to in his last moments. 

An opinion has been very generally entertained, that Lord NELSON'S stateof health, and supposed infirmities arising from his former wounds andhard services, precluded the probability of his long surviving thebattle of Trafalgar, had he fortunately escaped the Enemy's shot: butthe Writer of this can assert that HIS LORDSHIP'S health was uniformlygood, with the exception of some slight attacks of indisposition arisingfrom accidental causes; and which never continued above two or threedays, nor confined him in any degree with respect to either exercise orregimen:[29] and during the last twelve months of his life, heComplained only three times in this way. It is true, that HIS LORDSHIP, about the meridian of life, had been subject to frequent fits of thegout: which disease however, as well as his constitutional tendency toit, he totally overcame by abstaining for the space of nearly two yearsfrom animal food, and wine and all other fermented drink; confining hisdiet to vegetables, and commonly milk and water. And it is also a fact, that early in life, when he first went to sea, he left off the use ofsalt, which he then believed to be the sole cause of scurvy, and nevertook it afterwards with his food. 

HIS LORDSHIP used a great deal of exercise, generally walking on decksix or seven hours in the day. He always rose early, for the most partshortly after day-break. He breakfasted in summer about six, and atseven in winter: and if not occupied in reading or writing dispatches, or examining into the details of the Fleet, he walked on thequarter-deck the greater part of the forenoon; going down to his cabinoccasionally to commit to paper such incidents or reflections asoccurred to him during that time, and as might be hereafter useful tothe service of his country. He dined generally about half past twoo'clock. At his table there were seldom less than eight or nine persons, consisting of the different Officers of the ship: and when the weatherand the service permitted, he very often had several of the Admirals andCaptains in the Fleet to dine with him; who were mostly invited bysignal, the rotation of seniority being commonly observed by HISLORDSHIP in these invitations. At dinner he was alike affable andattentive to every one: he ate very sparingly himself; the liver andwing of a fowl, and a small plate of macaroni, in general composing hismeal, during which he occasionally took a glass of Champagne. He neverexceeded four glasses of wine after dinner, and seldom drank three; andeven these were diluted with either Bristol or common water. 

Few men subject to the vicissitudes of a naval life, equalled HISLORDSHIP in an habitual systematic mode of living. He possessed such awonderful activity of mind, as even prevented him from taking ordinaryrepose, seldom enjoying two hours of uninterrupted sleep; and on severaloccasions he did not quit the deck during the whole night. At thesetimes he took no pains to protect himself from the effects of wet, orthe night-air; wearing only a thin great coat: and he has frequently, after having his clothes wet through with rain, refused to have themchanged, saying that the leather waistcoat which he wore over hisflannel one would secure him from complaint. He seldom wore boots, andwas consequently very liable to have his feet wet. When this occurred hehas often been known to go down to his cabin, throw off his shoes, andwalk on the carpet in his stockings for the purpose of drying the feetof them. He chose rather to adopt this uncomfortable expedient, than togive his servants the trouble of assisting him to put on freshstockings; which, from his having only one hand, he could not himselfconveniently effect. 

From these circumstances it may be inferred, that though Lord NELSON'Sconstitution was not of that kind which is generally denominated strong, yet it was not very susceptible of complaint from the common occasionalcauses of disease necessarily attending a naval life. The only bodilypain which HIS LORDSHIP felt in consequence of his many wounds, was aslight rheumatic affection of the stump of his amputated arm on anysudden variation in the state of the weather; which is generallyexperienced by those who have the misfortune to lose a limb after themiddle age. HIS LORDSHIP usually predicted an alteration in the weatherwith as much certainty from feeling transient pains in this stump, as hecould by his marine barometer; from the indications of which latter hekept a diary of the atmospheric changes, which was written with his ownhand. 

HIS LORDSHIP had lost his right eye by a contusion which he received atthe siege of Calvi, in the island of Corsica. The vision of the otherwas likewise considerably impaired: he always therefore wore a greenshade over his forehead, to defend this eye from the effect of stronglight; but as he was in the habit of looking much through a glass whileon deck, there is little doubt, that had he lived a few years longer, and continued at sea, he would have lost his sight totally. 

The Surgeon had, on the occasion of opening HIS LORDSHIP'S Body, anopportunity of acquiring an accurate knowledge of the sound and healthystate of the thoracic and abdominal viscera, none of which appeared tohave ever been the seat of inflammation or disease. There were no morbidindications to be seen; other than those unavoidably attending the humanbody six weeks after death, even under circumstances more favourable toits preservation. The heart was small, and dense in its substance; itsvalves, pericardium, and the large vessels, were sound, and firm intheir structure. The lungs were sound, and free from adhesions. Theliver was very small, in its colour natural, firm in its texture, andevery way free from the smallest appearance of disorganization. Thestomach, as well as the spleen and other abdominal contents, was alikefree from the traces of disease. Indeed all the vital parts were soperfectly healthy in their appearance, and so small, that they resembledmore those of a youth, than of a man who had attained his forty-seventhyear; which state of the body, associated with habits of life favourableto health, gives every reason to believe that HIS LORDSHIP might havelived to a great age. 

The immediate cause of HIS LORDSHIP'S death was a wound of the leftpulmonary artery, which poured out its blood into the cavity of thechest. The quantity of blood thus effused did not appear to be verygreat: but as the hemorrhage was from a vessel so near the heart, andthe blood was consequently lost in a very short time, it produced deathsooner than would have been effected by a larger quantity of blood lostfrom an artery in a more remote part of the body. The injury done to thespine must of itself have proved mortal, but HIS LORDSHIP might perhapshave survived this alone for two or three days; though his existenceprotracted even for that short period would have been miserable tohimself, and highly distressing to the feelings of all around him. 

W. BEATTY. 

FOOTNOTES:

[1] By this ship His LORDSHIP received some newspapers from England, oneof which contained a paragraph stating that General MACK was about to beappointed to the command of the Austrian armies in Germany. On readingthis, His LORDSHIP made the following observation: "I know General MACKtoo well. He sold the King of Naples; and if he is now entrusted with animportant command, he will certainly betray the Austrian monarchy. "

[2] CAPTAIN HARDY left England in a bad state of health, with which he hadbeen afflicted during the last twelve months; but was now in a progressivestate of amendment. Lord NELSON asked the Surgeon this day, "how long hethought it might be before Captain HARDY'S perfect recovery;" and on theSurgeon's answering that "he hoped not more than a fortnight, "--"Ah!"replied His LORDSHIP, "before a fortnight the Enemy will be at sea, thebusiness will be done, and we shall be looking out for England. "

[3] These Instructions will be found at the end of the Narrative. 

[4] HIS LORDSHIP did not wear his sword in the Battle of Trafalgar: it hadbeen taken from the place where it hung up in his cabin, and was laid readyon his table; but it is supposed he forgot to call for it. This was theonly action in which he ever appeared without a sword. 

[5] It has been since recollected that on the 21st of October 1757, HisLORDSHIP'S maternal uncle, Captain SUCKLING, in the Dreadnought, in companywith two other line of battle ships, attacked and beat off a Frenchsquadron of four sail of the line and three frigates, off Cape François. The French Commodore was towed into Cape François; and the English ships, being too much disabled to follow up their success, bore away to Jamaica torefit. 

[6] This phrase has been subjected to misconstruction; to the Writer ofthese pages, however, both the purport and expression of it seem veryclear, thus; "_might have been_ offered" (though it _was not_). 

[7] The Victory's sick-report for this day numbered only ten convalescents, who all attended their respective quarters during the battle; and the wholeFleet was in a high state of health. Indeed the excellent health enjoyed bythe crew of the Victory from December 1804 up to this period, is perhapsunprecedented: and is attributable solely to Captain HARDY'S attention totheir subordination, temperance, warm clothing, and cleanliness; togetherwith the means daily adopted to obviate the effects of moisture, and toaccomplish the thorough ventilation of every part of the ship. 

The Victory arrived at Spithead from the memorable and arduous chace of theEnemies' Fleets to Egypt and the West Indies, in August 1805: andnotwithstanding the operation of the unfavourable circumstances of rapidchange of climate, and the privation of refreshments experienced in thatchace, as well as frequent increase of numbers (as in the West Indies therewere at one time embarked in her above 990 souls), there was not now asingle hospital-patient on board, nor did any occur during the severalweeks of her stay in England; with which Lord NELSON expressed himselfhighly pleased when he joined the ship again, on the 14th of September, atSt. Helen's. The Victory's casualties from the 29th of December 1804 to the20th of October following, were only five fatal cases (one of these byaccidental injury), and two patients sent to a naval hospital. 

[8] It has been reported, but erroneously, that His LORDSHIP was actuallyrequested by his Officers to change his dress, or to cover his stars. 

[9] His LORDSHIP just at this time found fault with the Officer commandingon the forecastle, because the lee (or starboard) lower studding-sail hadnot been set sooner; a circumstance which, though trivial in itself, shewshow well Captain HARDY knew His LORDSHIP'S sentiments. 

[10] His LORDSHIP in a few minutes after this called Lieutenant PASCO, Mr. OGILVIE, and some other Officers, near him, and desired them to set theirwatches by the time of that which His LORDSHIP wore. 

[11] The Enemy's fire continued to be pointed so high throughout theengagement, that the Victory did not lose a man on her lower deck; and hadonly two wounded on that deck, and these by musket-bulls. 

[12] The reader may judge of the Surgeon's feelings at this momentousperiod, when informed that that excellent young Officer Mr. RAM was one ofhis dearest friends. 

[13] The instance here alluded to occurred in the month of July, in theVictory's return to Europe from the West Indies; and the man survived theinjury thirteen days. HIS LORDSHIP, during the whole of that time, manifested much anxiety at the protracted sufferings of an individual whosedissolution was certain, and was expected every hour. 

[14] CAPTAIN HARDY deemed it his duty to give this information to AdmiralCOLLINGWOOD as soon as the fate of the day was decided; but thinking thatHIS LORDSHIP might feel some repugnance to this communication, he leftdirections for Lieutenant HILLS to be detained on deck at his return, tillhe himself (Captain HARDY) should come up from the cockpit. LieutenantHILLS was dispatched on this mission from the Victory, at the very timewhen the Enemy's van ships that had tacked were passing her to windward andfiring at her. 

[15] Meaning that in case of HIS LORDSHIP'S surviving till all resistanceon the part of the Enemy had ceased, Captain HARDY was then to anchor theBritish Fleet and the prizes, if it should be found practicable. 

[16] Alluding to some wishes previously expressed by HIS LORDSHIP toCaptain HARDY respecting the place of his interment. 

[17] IT must occur to the reader, that from the nature of the scene passingin the cockpit, and the noise of the guns, the whole of His LORDSHIP'Sexpressions could not be borne in mind, nor even distinctly heard, by thedifferent persons attending him. The most interesting parts are heredetailed. 

[18] Immediately after HIS LORDSHIP expired, Captain HARDY went on boardthe Royal Sovereign, to communicate the melancholy event, and the nature ofHIS LORDSHIP'S last orders, to Admiral COLLINGWOOD. 

[19] The Redoutable lay alongside and still foul of the Temeraire for sometime after this, and till several Seamen were sent from the latter to theassistance of the two Officers and men belonging to the Victory who hadbefore taken possession of the prize. 

[20] These were the ships commanded by Admiral DUMANNOIR, and afterwardscaptured by the squadron under the command of Sir RICHARD STRACHAN. Theywere nearly half an hour in passing to windward, during the whole of whichtime they continued firing on the British ships. 

[21] About twenty of the Redoutable's guns were dismounted in the action. Those on that side of her lower deck opposed to the Victory, were alldismounted except five or six. 

[22] Many of those who were slightly wounded did not apply for assistancetill after the public return of killed and wounded had been transmitted toAdmiral COLLINGWOOD, which therefore reports a smaller number than herestated. 

[23] Brandy was recommended by the Surgeon in preference to rum, of whichspirit also there was plenty on board. This circumstance is here noticed, because a very general but erroneous opinion was found to prevail on theVictory's arrival in England, that rum preserves the dead body from decaymuch longer and more perfectly than any other spirit, and ought thereforeto have been used: but the fact is quite the reverse, for there are severalkinds of spirit much better for that purpose than rum; and as theirappropriateness in this respect arises from their degree of strength, onwhich alone their antiseptic quality depends, brandy is superior. Spirit ofwine, however, is certainly by far the best, when it can be procured. 

[24] Of the Victory's wounded, three died before she reached Gibraltar, oneon the day of her arrival there, and another at the naval hospital at thatplace a few days afterwards: all the rest got well on board except the fiveleft at Gibraltar, and five others not perfectly recovered from theirwounds in January following; when the Victory being put out of commissionat Chatham, they were sent to the Sussex hospital-ship at Sheerness. 

[25] The ball was _not_ fired from a rifle piece. 

[26] It was not deemed necessary to insert in this Report the precise timewhich HIS LORDSHIP survived his wound. This, as before stated, was inreality two hours and three quarters. 

[27] FIG. 1. In the annexed Plate represents the Ball in the exact state inwhich it was extracted. Drawn by Mr. W. E. DEVIS, who was then on board theVictory. 

FIG. 2. (drawn also by Mr. DEVIS) shews the Ball in its present state; asset in crystal by Mr. YONGE, and presented to the Writer of this Narrativeby Sir THOMAS HARDY. 

The Ball, in perforating the epaulette, passed through many of the silkcords supporting the bullions, and through the pad and a doubling of silkbesides; as the bag of the pad was composed of yellow silk. Thiscircumstance militates strongly against an opinion entertained by some, that silk possesses in an eminent degree the power of resisting the force, or arresting the velocity, of a musket or pistol ball. 

[28] The stock of spirit of wine on board was exhausted and from the soundstate of the Body, brandy was judged sufficient for its preservation. 

[29] These complaints were the consequence of indigestion, brought on bywriting for several hours together. HIS LORDSHIP had one of these attacksfrom that cause a few days before the battle, but on resuming hisaccustomed exercise he got rid of it. This attack alarmed him, as heattributed it to sudden and violent spasm; but it was merely an unpleasantsymptom (_globus hystericus_) attending indigestion. 

_APPENDIX. _

_INSTRUCTIONS_

_Issued by_ LORD NELSON _to the Admirals and Captains of his Fleet, several days previous to the Battle_. 

Victory, off Cadiz, 10th of October, 1805. 

GENERAL MEMORANDUM _sent to the Commanders of Ships_. 

Thinking it almost impossible to bring a Fleet of forty sail of the lineinto a line of battle in variable winds, thick weather, and othercircumstances which must occur, without such a loss of time that theopportunity would probably be lost of bringing the Enemy to battle insuch a manner as to make the business decisive, I have therefore made upmy mind to keep the Fleet in that position of sailing, with theexception of the First and Second in Command, that the order of sailingis to be the order of battle: placing the Fleet in two lines, of sixteenships each with an advanced squadron of eight of the fastest-sailingtwo-decked ships; which will always make, if wanted, a line oftwenty-four sail, on whichever line the Commander in Chief may direct. 

The Second in Command will, after my intentions are made known to him, have the entire direction of his line; to make the attack upon theEnemy, and to follow up the blow until they are captured or destroyed. 

If the Enemy's Fleet should be seen to windward in line of battle, andthat the two lines and advanced squadron could fetch them, they willprobably be so extended that their van could not succour their rear. Ishould therefore probably make the Second in Command's signal to leadthrough about their twelfth ship from their rear; or wherever he couldfetch, if not able to get so far advanced. My line would lead throughabout their centre: and the advanced squadron to cut three or four shipsahead of their centre, so as to ensure getting at their Commander inChief, on whom every effort must be made to capture. 

The whole impression of the British Fleet must be, to overpower from twoor three ships ahead of their Commander in Chief (supposed to be in thecentre) to the rear of their Fleet. 

I will suppose twenty sail of the Enemy's line to be untouched: it mustbe some time before they could perform a manoeuvre to bring their forcecompact to attack any part of the British Fleet engaged, or to succourtheir own ships; which indeed would be impossible, without mixing withthe ships engaged. The Enemy's Fleet is supposed to consist of forty-sixsail of the line; British, forty:[30] if either is less, only aproportional number of Enemy's ships are to be cut off; British to beone-fourth superior to the Enemy cut off. 

Something must be left to chance: nothing is sure in a sea-fight, beyondall others; shot will carry away masts and yards of friends as well asfoes: but I look with confidence to a victory before the van of theEnemy could succour their rear; and then that the British Fleet wouldmost of them be ready to receive their twenty sail of the line, or topursue them should they endeavour to make off. 

If the van of the Enemy tack, the captured ships must run to leeward ofthe British Fleet: if the Enemy wear, the British must place themselvesbetween the Enemy and captured, and disabled British ships: and shouldthe Enemy close, I have no fear for the result. 

The Second in Command will, in all possible things, direct the movementsof his line, by keeping them so compact as the nature of thecircumstances will admit. Captains are to look to their particular lineas their rallying-point; but in case signals cannot be seen or clearlyunderstood, no Captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongsidethat of an Enemy. 

Plan of the intended attack from to-windward, the Enemy in line ofbattle ready to receive an attack:

 --------- Advanced squadron. } ------------------ Weather line. } British. ------------------ Lee line. }

 ------------------------------------------------- Enemy's line. 

The divisions of the British Fleet will be brought nearly withingun-shot of the Enemy's centre. The signal will be made for the lee lineto bear up together; to set all their sail, even studding-sails, inorder to get as quickly as possible to the Enemy's line; and to cutthrough, beginning from the twelfth ship from the Enemy's rear. Someships may not get through their exact place, but they will always be athand to assist their friends. If any are thrown in the rear of theEnemy, they will effectually complete the business of twelve sail of theEnemy. 

Should the Enemy wear together, or bear up and sail large, still thetwelve ships composing in the first position the Enemy's rear, are to bethe object of attack of the lee line, unless otherwise directed by theCommander in Chief: which is scarcely to be expected; as the entiremanagement of the lee line, after the intentions of the Commander inChief are signified, is intended to be left to the Admiral commandingthat line. 

The remainder of the Enemy's Fleet, thirty-four sail, are to be left tothe management of the Commander in Chief; who will endeavour to takecare that the movements of the Second in Command are as littleinterrupted as possible. 

 NELSON AND BRONTE. 

 By Command of the Vice Admiral. JNO. SCOTT. 

MEMORANDUM BOOK

_The following interesting Extracts are faithfully copied from_ HISLORDSHIP'S _Memorandum Book, written entirely with his own hand_. 

Saturday, September 14th, 1805. At six o'clock arrived at Portsmouth;and having arranged all my business, embarked at the bathing-machineswith Mr. ROSE and Mr. CANNING, who dined with me. At two got on boardthe Victory, at St. Helen's. 

Wednesday, Sept. 25th, 1805. Light airs southerly. Saw the rock ofLisbon S. S. E. Ten leagues. At sunset the Captain of the Constance cameon board, and sent my letters for England to Lisbon, and wrote toCaptain SUTTON[31] and the Consul. The Enemy's Fleet had not left Cadizthe 18th of this month, therefore I yet hope they will wait my arrival. 

Saturday, Sept. 28th, 1805. Fresh breezes at N. N. W. At day-light boreup, and made sail. At nine saw the Ætna cruising. At noon saw eighteensail. Nearly calm. In the evening joined the Fleet under Vice AdmiralCOLLINGWOOD. Saw the Enemy's Fleet in Cadiz, amounting to thirty-five orthirty-six sail of the line. 

Sunday, Sept. 29th. Fine weather. Gave out the necessary orders for theFleet. Sent Euryalus to watch the Enemy with the Hydra off Cadiz. 

Wednesday, October 9th. Fresh breezes easterly. Received an account fromBLACKWOOD, that the French ships had all bent their top-gallant-sails. Sent the Pickle to him, with orders to keep a good look-out. SentAdmiral COLLINGWOOD the Nelson truth. [32] At night wind westerly. 

Monday, Oct. 14th. Fine weather: westerly wind. Sent Amphion toGibraltar and Algiers. Enemy at the harbour's mouth. Placed Defence andAgamemnon from seven to ten leagues west of Cadiz; and Mars and Colossusfive leagues east of the Fleet, whose station is from fifteen to twentywest of Cadiz: and by this chain I hope to have a constantcommunication with the frigates off Cadiz. 

Wednesday, Oct. 16th. Moderate breezes westerly. All the forenoonemployed forming the Fleet into the order of sailing. At noon freshbreezes W. S. W. And squally. In the evening fresh gales. The Enemy asbefore, by signal from Weazle. 

Thursday, Oct. 17th. Moderate breezes north-westerly. Sent the Donegalto Gibraltar, to get a ground-tier of casks. Received accounts by theDiligent storeship, that Sir RICHARD STRACHAN was supposed in sight ofthe French Rochefort squadron; which I hope is true. 

Friday, Oct. 18th. Fine weather: wind easterly. The Combined Fleetscannot have finer weather to put to sea. 

Saturday, Oct. 19th. Fine weather: wind easterly. At half past nine theMars, being one of the look-out ships, made the signal that the Enemywere coming out of port. Made the signal for a general chace S. E. Windat south; Cadiz bearing E. S. E. By compass, distance sixteen leagues. Atthree the Colossus made the signal that the Enemy's Fleet was at sea. Inthe evening made the signal to observe my motions during the night; forthe Britannia, Prince, and Dreadnought, to take stations as mostconvenient; and for Mars, Orion, Belleisle, Leviathan, Bellerophon, andPolyphemus, to go ahead during the night, and to carry a light, standingfor the Straits' mouth. 

Sunday, Oct. 20th. Fresh breezes S. S. W. , and rainy. Communicated withPhoebe, Defence, and Colossus, who saw near forty sail of ships of waroutside of Cadiz yesterday evening; but the wind being southerly, theycould not get to the mouth of the Straits. We were between Trafalgar andCape Spartel. The frigates made the signal that they saw nine sailoutside the harbour. Sent the frigates instructions for their guidance;and placed the Defence, Colossus, and Mars, between me and the frigates. At noon fresh gales, and heavy rain: Cadiz N. E. Nine leagues. In theafternoon Captain BLACKWOOD telegraphed that the Enemy seemed determinedto go to the westward;--and _that_ they shall _not_ do, if in the powerof NELSON AND BRONTE to prevent them. At five telegraphed CaptainBLACKWOOD, that I relied upon his keeping sight of the Enemy. At fiveo'clock Naiad made the signal for thirty-one sail of the Enemy N. N. E. The frigates and look-out ship kept sight of the Enemy most admirablyall night, and told me by signal which tack they were upon. At eight wewore, and stood to the S. W. ; and at four wore and stood to the N. E. 

Monday, Oct. 21st. At day-light saw Enemy's Combined Fleets from east toE. S. E. Bore away. Made the signal for order of sailing, and to preparefor battle. The Enemy with their heads to the southward. At seven theEnemy wearing in succession. 

 * * * * *

_Then follow the Prayer and Codicil already inserted in pages_ 14 _and_15 _of the Narrative, which conclude_ HIS LORSHIP'S _manuscript_. 

FOOTNOTES:

[30] With such an inferiority of force as this, HIS LORDSHIP confidentlyexpected not only to gain a decisive victory, but (to use his own favouritephrase) "completely to _annihilate the Enemy's Fleet_!"

[31] Of his Majesty's ship Amphion, then in the Tagus. 

[32] It is presumed that HIS LORDSHIP here meant the precedingInstructions, which were transmitted the next day to the whole Fleet.