Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 November 1905 — One Hundred Years Since Nelson's Glorious Victory [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

One Hundred Years Since Nelson's Glorious Victory

.“Thank God, I have done nay duty!" Horatio, afterwards Viscount Nelson, had given his life’s energies and abilities unstintingly in behalf of his country and now as he lay dying at th® close of the victory of Trafalgar Bay Oct. 21, 1805, he gave expression to these last dying words: “Thank God, I have done my duty!" What nobler text could be conceived from which to expound lessons of patriotism and devotion to one’s country! In his death Nelson has left us not only his mantle of Inspiration, but a name and an example which are at this hour Inspiring thousands of the youth of the British Empire—a name which is the pride of Britons everywhere, and an example which will continue to be our shield and strength. It was fitting then that the British Empire throughout the world should join on Oct. 21

in commemorating the great victory of | Trafalgar, and in honoring the memory of the greatest naval hero and comma n der England has ev.er known. Of the early childhood of Nelson comparatively little is known aside from a few stories, characteristic enough. The first thirty years of his life were comparatively unevent-

ful—uneventful that Is when compared with the momentous events which characterized the closing years of his life, and will eh changed the politics of the whole world. The story of his life Is indeed best told in those of —the three celebrated naval battles with which his name will be always associated —the Nile, Copenhagen and Trafalgar—but there are many incidents in his career, and anecdotes relating to him, that are of the greatest interest. Horatio Nelson was born at Barnham, in Suffolk County, England, on Sept. 29, 1758. He was the fifth son of Rev. Edmund Nelson, and received his baptismal name from the Earl of Oxford, who was his godfather. For his start in the British navy Nelson had to thank his uncle, Captain Maurice Suckling, who on the death of Nelson’s mother, promised to take charge of one of his sister’s boys. Nelson was sent to school at an early age and soon developed a daring spirit. Nelson got his first taste of the sea when he was only 12 years of age, he having obtained permission from his uncle to go to sea with him in the Raisonable, a ship of sixty-four guns. The ship only remained In commission for five months, however, and he did not see much service in the King’s ship.

Enters the Navy. Nelson afterwards entered the navy and became a midshipman. His abilities were such that his superior officers had every confidence in his skill and Judgment. He passed through the various grades of his calling and saw service in almost every quarter of the globe. On many occasions he gave proof of extraordinary energy and fertility of resource and also of a courage in danger which, if rash, was truly heroic. He became an expert in seamanship and displayed a great aptitude for command In a variety of enterprises that were intrusted to him. While a second lieutenant in the frigate Lowestoffe, that ship captured

a privateer. The first lieutenant was ordered to board her, but owing to the very heavy sea he did not do so at once, and captain called out: “Have I no officer in the ship who can board the prize?” The mnster started to perform the duty, but Nelson stopped him, saying, “It Is my turn now; and If I come back It la yours.” After great difficulty he succeeded in boarding the prize. About this time Nelson lost his uncle. Captnln Locker, however, who had perceived the excellent qualities of Nelson, nnd formed a friendship for him, recommended him warmly to Sir Peter Parker, then commander-ln-chief on the West Indinn station. In consequence he was removed to the flag ship Bristol, and soon after, on Dec. 8, 1778, was appointed commander of the brig Badger. In this brig he was sent to cruise the bay of Honduras for the protection of British traders. On the 11th of .Tune, 1779, he was made post captain of the Hlchinbrooke, of twenty-eight guns.

Thus we'l started on his naval career, with all obstacles in the way of promotion cleared from his path—in those days a post captain rose to be an admiral by seniority alone—Nelson began the career he had marked out for himself, undqEthe most favorable auspices that could have been desired. When war between England and France was declared in 1793, Nelson was made captain of the Agamemnon, the largest ship he had ever commanded. He went with Lord Hood to the Mediterranean, and though his vessel was one of the worst in the fleet, he performed feats of daring and perfect seamanship which gained him applause and distinction. In the same year( Nelson lost an arm in an attack on Santa Cruz, on the Island of Teneriflfe. The attack was made in the boats of the squadron, and Nelson received a severe ■wound in the right elbow as he was in act of drawing his sword and stepping out of his boat on to the Mole of Santa Cruz. This sword he particularly valued, as it had been presented to him by an uncle who told him never to part with it but with life, and he constantly wore it. Recovering from the shock of the wound, he groped for and recovered the sword, and then fell insensible to the bottom of the boat. Eventually the arm was amputated and shortly afterward Nelson returned to England on leave of absence.

Battle of the Nile. The next great incident in kelson’s career was the campaign and battle of

the Nile. The British government had found it impossible to make peace except on impossible terms, and therefore decided upon a distinctly offensive campaign against France, and to Nelson, on the urgent recommendation of the first Lord of the Admiralty, Earl Spencer, the duty was assigned of directing naval operations in the Mediterranean. After a long chase Nelson succeeded in cornering the French fleet in the Bay of Abouklr. The French admiral had anchored his fleet behind a series of dangerous shoals. The Frenchman did not for a moment believe that the British fleet would follow. The situation, however, was one that appealed acutely to Nelson’s love of daring.

For muny preceding days, Nelson had hardly taken either sleep or food; he now ordered dinner to be served while preparations were being made for the battle. As his officers rose from the table to take their separate stations, he said to them: “Before this time to morrow I shall have gained a peerage or Westminster Abbey.” Nelson took his fleet In after the Frenchmen, and annihilated the naval power of France in an engagement which he directed throughout with consummate skill, absolute fearlessness and incredible heroism. The battle of the Nile opened up a new era for the British navy. It made the British fleet the mistress of the seas, and it made the name of Nelson a terror to the navies of Europe. A victory of so stupendous and unparalleled a character, won by such quick comprehension, skill of preparation, and genius in stage-management, astounded all Europe, and gave Napoleon something to think about for a long time.

Battle of Copenhagen. Nelson’s next engagement was the battle of Copenhagen. Russia, Denmark and Sweden having formed a coalition to make Englnnd resign her naval rights, the British cabinet Instantly prepared to crush It. A fleet was gotten ready, and Admiral Sir Hyde Parker was made commander-in-chlef, with Lord Nelson second In command.

On March 12, 1801, the fleet put to sea, but did not arrive off the point of Elsinore until the 24th. On the 29th, Lord Nelson shifted his flag from the St. Qeorge to the Elephant, In order to carry on operations in a lighter ship. Oh the 80th the fleet passed the fortress of Cronenburg, which had been looked upon as Impregnable. The morning of April 2 broke cheerfully on the British fleet, and the wind was also favorable for them. At balf-

past nine a. m.*the signal to weigh was made. Two of the ships grounded, but the remainder, as they reached their appointed stations, let go their anchors and presented their broadsides to the enemy. Shortly after 10 o’clock the cannonade began. Admiral Parker, with eight ships, took up a position nearer to the mouth of the harbor. The action was kept up, on both sides, with unabated vigor, and for three hours no decided ad van-' tage w r as gained by either side. Some of the ships had grounded and AdParker made a signal for retreat

When this occurred, Nelson in all the excitement of action, was pacing the quarter-deck. And then, putting the glass to his blind eye, he added: "I really don’t see the signal. Keep mine for closer battle flying—that’s the way I answer such signals. Nail mine to the mast.” Admiral Graves and the other ships —whether by fortunate mistake, or by a brave Intention —looking only to Nelson’s signal continued the action. After the battle Nelson said: “Well, 1 have fought contrary to orders, and I shall perhaps be hanged. Never mind —let them.”

About half-past 1, the fire of the Danes slackened, and a little before 2 it ceased along nearly the whole of their line. Six of their ships and eleven floating batteries struck their colors, but it was difficult to take possession of them because of the protection afforded by the land batteries, which fired upon the boats sent to receive the surrender. This unexpected renewal of hostilities compelled English ships to renew their fire, but to relieve the unhappy Danes who had hauled down their flag Nelson wrote to the Crown Prince of Denmark saying that if the firing continued he should be obliged to burn the prizes, without having the power to save the

men who had so nobly defended their country. Meanwhile, Admiral Parker's division had silenced the remainder of the Danish line to the eastward, and soon the Danish adjutant-general appeared with a flag of truce to Lord Nelson. The Crown Prince wished to enquire the object of the British admiral’s note. With the reply that the object of the note was humanity, the envoy returned. Eventually negotiations were arranged and Nelson went on sliore and dined with the Crown Prince.

Trafalgar. For his share in the battle of Copenhagen Nelson was raised to the rank of Viscount, and, on the recall of Sir Hyde Parker became commander-in-chlef of the Baltic fleet. One year and eight months after the declaration of peace Nelson again hoisted his flag on the Victory and sailed for the Mediterranean. He had had the longest holiday of his life. It is needless to recount here the weary preliminaries to the battle of Trafalgar, how Nelson watched the French fleet outside Toulon, and chased It across the Atlantic and back again. Spain had joined France, and England now had two enemies to face instead of one. On Aug. 18, this long and fruitless chase was ended by Nelson’s return to England on leave, Admiral Cornwallis continuing to hunt for the elusive French.

It was in proud obedience to the request of the British government that Nelson took up his last command and fought his last battle. Lord Nelson left England on the 10th of September In his flagship, the Victory, accompated_ by the Ajax, Defiance, Agamemnon and a frigate, and on the 29th arrived off Cadi/.. The first object of his wishes seems to have been to induce the enemy to quit the port and come out to sea. In consequence of this design be never kept more than seven or eight sail of the line before Cadiz, remaining himself with the rest of his forces near Cape St Mary, while a line of frigates was formed to communicate with the several divisions of the armament About halfpast 9 of the morning of o<s. 19 the Mars, being the nearest to the fleet of ships which formed the line of communication with the frigates inshore, signaled that the enemy were coming out of the port nnd Nelson Immediately ordered that a signal be made to give chase. All night the French continued a southwesterly course, and at daybreak were seen near the Straits of Gibraltar, bearing In a northerly direction. In the afternoon the wind changed and the fleeing fleet again changed its course, this time to the

southwest. Nelson signaled to Blackwood that he expected him to keep sight of the enemy. At daybreak on Oct. 21 the combined fleets were distinctly seen from the Victory’s deck, formed in a close line of battle ahead, off Cape Trafalgar. Signal was made by Nelson to bear down in two lines, and the fleet set sail. Cqllingwood in the Royal Sovereign led the lee line of thirteen ships and the Victory led the weather line of fourteen. Blackwood went bn board the Victory about 6. He found Nelson in good spirits, but very • calm—not In that exhilaration which he had felt upon entering the battle at Aboukir and Copenhagen. He knew that his own life would be particularly aimed at, and seems to have looked for death with .almost as sure an expectation as» for victory. Villeneuve, the French admiral, was a skillful seaman. He formed his fleet in a double line, every alternate ship being about a cable’s length to windward of her second ahead and astern. Nelson, certain of a triumphant issue to the day, asked Blackwood what he should consider as a victory. That officer answered that, considering the handsome way in which battle was offered by the enemy, their apparent determination for a fair trial of strength and the situation of the land, he would consider it a glorious result if fourteen were captured. Nelson replied: “I shall not be satisfied with less than twenty.” Soon after Nelson asked Blackwood if he did not think there was a sigrial wanting. Captain Blackwood made answer that he thought the whole fleet seemed very clearly to understand what they were about. These words were scarcely spoken before that signal was made which will be remembered as long as the language or even the memory of England shall endure —Nelson’s last signal: "England expects that every man will do his duty.”

Nelson, as usual, had hoisted several flags, lest one should be shot away. The enemy showed no colors until late in the action, when they began to feel the necessity of having them to strike. For this reason the Santlssima Trinidada, Nelson’s old acquaintance, as he used to call her, was distinguishable only by her four decks, and to the bow of this opponent he ordered the Victory to be steered. Meanwhile an incessant raking fire was kept up on the Victory.

The Heat of Battle. The admiral's secretary, Mr. Scott, was one of the first who fell; he was killed by a cannon shot while conversing with Captain Hardy. Presently a double-headed shot struck a party of mariners, who were drawn up on the poop, and killed eight of them; upon which Nelson immediately desired Captain Adair to disperse his men round the ship, that they might not suffer much from being together. The master was ordered to put the helm to port, and the Victory ran on

board the Redoubtable, just as her tiller ropes were shot away. The French ships received her with a broadside; then instantly let down her lower deck ports, for fear of being boarded through them, and never afterwards fired a great gun during the action. Her tops, like those of the enemy’s ships, were filled with riflemen. Captain Harvey, in the Temeraire, fell on board the Redoubtable on the other side. Another enemy was In a like manner on board the Temeraire; so that these four ships formed as compact a tier as if they had been moored together, their heads lying all the same way. The lieutenants of the Victory, seeing this, depressed the guns on the middle and lower decks, and fired a diminished charge, lest the shot should pass through, and injure the Temeraire. And because there was danger that the Redoubtable should take fire from the lower deck guns, the muzzles of which touched her sides when they were run out the

fireman of each gun stood ready with a bucket of water, which as the gun was discharged, he dashed into the hole made by the shot. An incessant fire was kept up from the Victory from both sides; her larboard guns playing upon the Bucentaur and the huge Trinidaaa.

Nelson Is Shot. > Shortly before tbo Redoubtable struck, Nelson and Captain Hardy were walking near the middle of the quarterdeck; the admiral had just commended the manner in which one of the ships near him was fought, when Captain Hardy left him to give some necessary directions. A few minutes later, Captain Hardy observed a marksman in the rigging of the Bucentaur taking deliberate aim at Nelson. He called to him to change his position, but at the same instant a bullet struck the admiral. Nelson was prevented from falling by Captain Hardy and a seaman who caught him In the arms. The marksman was instantly brought down by a well directed shot from a young midshipman op the Victory. “Hardy,” said Nelson, 'T believe they have done for me at last.” It w r as soon perceived, upon examination, that the wound was mortal. This waS concealed, however, from all except Hardy, the chaplain and the medical attendants.

With a wish to support his.spirits, that had in a degree been shaken by the increased pain and excessive thirst which he had to endure, the surgeon said, “I still hope, my lord, you will carry the glorious news home.” “Don’t talk nonsense,” replied the admiral, “one would indeed like to live a little longer, but I know It to be impossible; God’s will be done. I have performed my I devoutly thank Him for it.”—Montreal Herald and Star.

NELSON MONUMENT

NELSON'S FLAGSHIP “VICTORY.”

NELSON’S LAST SIGNAL AT TRAFALGAR: “ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY.” From a painting by Thomas Davidson.

BIRTHPLACE OF NELSON.