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Letters and
Dispatches of Horatio Nelson
October 8 to 10,
1805
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 8th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
The Donegal has not one billet of wood. If you arrange the
disposition of it, I wish Donegal to be ordered ten, fifteen, or twenty chords,
as the wants of other Ships will allow.
Faithfully yours, NELSON AND BRONTE.
When your Transports, any of them, are cleared, make them
hoist their Ensign at the mast-head, as a signal they are ready to receive
empty casks and staves, and condemned provisions.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory October 8th 1805.
Sir,
I have read the correspondence between Captain [James]
Dunbar and Mr. Gambier, Consul at Lisbon. The conduct of Mr. Gambier was most
highly proper, in wishing to detain such a Ship as the Malabar to bring the
provisions for the Fleet; and I only wish he had kept his temper with Captain
Dunbar, by again urging the necessity of sending the Malabar to the Fleet, as
of far greater importance than her going with the Convoy. But I do consider the
conduct of Captain Dunbar as very reprehensible; and I shall transmit the
correspondence to the Admiralty for their decision, which I think will be a
censure of Captain Dunbar's conduct.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
I have kept the correspondence to send to England.
TO THE HON. BRIGADIER. GENERAL STEWART.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 434.]
[About October 8th, 1805.]
I have thirty-six Sail of the Line looking me in the face;
unfortunately there is a strip of land between us, but it is believed they will
come to sea in a few days. The sooner the better, I don't like to have these
things upon my mind; and if I see my way through the fiery ordeal, I shall go
home and rest for the winter, and shall rejoice to take you, my dear Stewart,
by the hand. Some day or other, that Buonaparte, if he lives, will attempt the
invasion and conquest of Great Britain. The making our Volunteers and Militia,
Soldiers, was a wise plan, and we were very near having occasion to use them.
Good Captain Hardy is still with me.—Believe me ever your most sincere and
faithful friend,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY BLACKWOOD, H.M. SHIP EURYALUS.
[From Blackwood's Magazine for July, 1833.]
Victory, October 8th, 1805.
My dear Sir,
I send Naiad to you, and will Phœbe and Weazle, as I
can lay hands upon them. I am gratified (because it shows your soul is in your
business) and obliged by all your communications. I see you feel how much my
heart is set on getting at these fellows, whom I have hunted so long; but
don't, my dear Blackwood, be angry with any one; it was only a laudable anxiety
in Admiral Louis, and nothing like complaining.
The Portuguese is a rogue, but I have desired the bullocks
to be bought, and threatened him the next time. Defiance has joined. Royal
Sovereign [1] has
signalized. If there are letters you shall have them; but I fear the Cutter
will never beat up to you. I wish I may be able to keep the Pickle with you;
she will be very handy to protect your Boats, &c., in the night.
Believe me ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
P.S.—Sir John Duckworth comes out in the London, Sir
Robert Barlow [2] in
Barfleur, vice Geo. Martin, very ill, but this is all; therefore you will give
due weight to the report. The Canal of St. Pedro is a good speculation for
Boats in the night. Several Ships and Brigs are coming from Tariffa.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 8th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
[Captain Henry William] Bayntun seems come out loaded: he
will move about till he has supplied the wants of his friends. He will tell you
all the Gibraltar news. I have nothing worth sending from thence by the Naiad,
and not a word by Leviathan. Eurydice has captured a very fine Privateer of two
24-pounders, and taken some Craft, but in doing it Eurydice got on shore, and
was got off principally by the exertion of our friend Captain Thomas; but as
Aetna has lost all her anchors but one, she is going to see the Gun-vessel into
Gibraltar, and get others. I hope we shall soon lose this nasty Levanter, and
get smooth water to clear the Transports. Patienza!
Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE:.
I have mislaid Mr. Setero's letter, but I send you the
invoice of the Malabar.
MEMORANDUM.
[Autograph draught in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir
George Mundy, K.C.B., except the words in Italics, which were added by Mr.
Scott, Lord Nelson's Secretary; and the Original, issued to Captain Hope, of
the Defence, now in the possession of his son, Captain Hope, R.N.]
(Secret.)
Victory, off Cadiz, 9th October, 1805.
Memorandum.
Thinking it almost impossible to bring a Fleet of forty Sail
of the Line into a Line of Battle in variable winds, thick weather, and other
circumstances which must occur, without such a loss of time that the
opportunity would probably be lost of bringing the Enemy to Battle in such a
manner as to make the business decisive, I have therefore made up my mind to
keep the Fleet in that position of sailing (with the exception of the First and
Second in Command) that the Order of Sailing is to be the Order of Battle,
placing the Fleet in two Lines of sixteen Ships each, with an Advanced Squadron
of eight of the fastest sailing Two-decked Ships, which will always make, if
wanted, a Line of twenty-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 the
Enemy, 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, and that the two Lines and the Advanced Squadron can fetch them, they
will probably be so extended that their Van could not succour their friends.
I should therefore probably make the Second in Command's
signal to lead through, about their twelfth Ship from their Rear, (or wherever
he could fetch, if not able to get so far advanced); my Line would lead through
about their Centre, and the Advanced Squadron to cut two or three or four Ships
a-head of their Centre, so as to ensure getting at their Commander-in-Chief, on
whom every effort must be made to capture.
The whole impression of the British Fleet must be to
overpower from two or three Ships a-head of their Commander-in-Chief, supposed
to be in the Centre, to the Rear of their Fleet. I will suppose twenty Sail of
the Enemy's Line to be untouched, it must be some time before they could
perform a manœuvre to bring their force compact to attack any part of the
British Fleet engaged, or to succour their own Ships, which indeed would be
impossible without mixing with the Ships engaged [3].
Something must be left to chance; nothing is sure in a Sea
Fight beyond all others. Shot will carry away the masts and yards of friends as
well as foes; but I look with confidence to a Victory before the Van of the
Enemy could succour their Rear, and then that the British Fleet would most of
them be ready to receive their twenty Sail of the Line, or to pursue them,
should they endeavour to make off.
If the Van of the Enemy tacks, the Captured Ships must run
to leeward of the British Fleet; if the Enemy wears, the British must place
themselves between the Enemy and the Captured, and disabled British Ships; and
should the Enemy close, I have no fears as to the result.
The Second in Command will in all possible things direct the
movements of his Line, by keeping them as compact as the nature of the
circumstances will admit. Captains are to look to their particular Line as
their rallying point. But, in case Signals can neither be seen or perfectly
understood, no Captain can do very wrong if he places his Ship alongside that
of an Enemy.
Of the intended attack from to windward, the Enemy in Line
of Battle ready to receive an attack,
The divisions of the British Fleet will be brought nearly
within gun shot of the Enemy's Centre. The signal will most probably then be
made for the Lee Line to bear up together, to set all their sails, even
steering sails [4], in
order to get as quickly as possible to the Enemy's Line, and to cut through,
beginning from the 12 Ship from the Enemy's Rear. Some Ships may not get
through their exact place, but they will always be at hand to assist their
friends; and if any are thrown round the Rear of the Enemy, they will
effectually complete the business of twelve Sail of the Enemy.
Should the Enemy wear together, or bear up and sail large,
still the twelve Ships composing, in the first position, the Enemy's Rear, are
to be the object of attack of the Lee Line, unless otherwise directed from the
Commander-in-Chief which is scarcely to be expected as the entire management of
the Lee Line, after the intentions of the Commander-in-Chief, is [are]
signified, is intended to be left to the judgment of the Admiral commanding
that Line.
The remainder of the Enemy's Fleet, 34 Sail, are to be left
to the management of the Commander-in-Chief, who will endeavour to take care
that the movements of the Second in Command are as little interrupted as is
possible. NELSON AND BRONTE .[5]
TO ABBÉ CAMPBELL, NAPLES.
[Autograph in the possession of Mr. William Long,]
Victory, October 9th, 1805.
My dear Abbé,
Many, many thanks for your kind letter, which unfortunately
did not find me at Merton, but off Cadiz, watching these fellows as a cat would
a mouse. I was just twenty-five days from the Victory, and expected to have
laid my wearied bones quiet for the winter; but I ought, perhaps, to be proud
of the general call which has made me to go forth. I thank you for your news
from Naples in the great line. Do not tell those little arrangements which
raise a smile, or give a pang. I have had very kind letters from both the good
King and Queen. I beg that you will remember me most kindly to the Marquis
Circello, and apprise him of my sincere esteem; and believe me ever, my dear
Abbé,
Most faithfully yours, NELSON AND BRONTE.
I have letters from dear Lady Hamilton of September 20th. I
am sure you will forgive her writing, when you consider all she suffered upon
my tour to the West Indies. Dr. Scott desires his best respects, and my brother
hopes I shall meet the Enemy's Fleet, that some how or other he may be a
Lord.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 9th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
The Master of the Lord Duncan has brought his invoice,
which I send you. There is also 392,000 lbs. of bread at Gibraltar. The bread
dispose of, and whatever else is wanted in your Line from this Ship. I have not
got the account of what is embarked in the Shield, except some stores for the
Canopus, and Ships in your Line. To-morrow will be fine.
Yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
Malabar's bread, of course, take out of her, and the other
good things [6]
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
' I have sent you, my dear Coll., a letter, which you may
send or not to Mr. Gambier. He was too warm—but it was on this occasion
well meant. I don't know this Captain Dunbar, but he has acted most exceedingly
wrong, as far as my judgment goes.
Victory, October 8th, 1805.
The Royal Sovereign is very deep. She has eleven cables,
three of which shall go to Gibraltar, and the money will go on board of a
Frigate. I am sure you will admire her as a far better Ship than the Victory.
You need not hurry yourself, but change at your leisure.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[From the " Naval and Military Gazette,,, vol.... p. 57.]
Victory, October 9th, 1805.
My dear Coll.
' I send you Captain Blackwood's letter; and, as I hope
Weazle has joined, he will have five Frigates and a Brig: they surely cannot
escape us. I wish we could get a fine day, and clear our Transports, at least
of the bread, and by that time water will come. Niger is with the Transports.
Sovereign's cables can go into the Malabar. I shall be glad to see you mounted
in her. I send you my Plan of Attack, as far as a man dare venture to guess at
the very uncertain position the Enemy may be found in. But, my dear friend, it
is to place you perfectly at ease respecting my intentions, and to give full
scope to your judgment for carrying them into effect. We can, my dear Coll.,
have no little jealousies. We have only one great object in view, that of
annihilating our Enemies, and getting a glorious Peace for our Country. No man
has more confidence in another than I have in you: and no man will render your
services more justice than your -very old friend,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
P.S.—Keep Blackwood's letter: the Schooner goes off
Cadiz from you, and if you have not disposed of the Paper of the 23rd, send
them to Blackwood.
TO CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY BLACKWOOD, H.M. SHIP EURYALUS.
[From Blackwood's Magazine for July, 1833.]
Victory, October 9th, 1805, A.M., Cadiz, due East, 19
leagues.
My dear Sir,
Many thanks for your letter of yesterday. Let us have them
out. The Weazle, I hope, has joined, although you don't mention her. Keep the
Schooner [7]; she will
be useful in the night close in shore; and as Weazle sails faster, you can send
her to me with accounts when you can't communicate by signals; I should never
wish to be more than forty-eight hours without hearing from you. Hydra you can
victual and water out of the other Frigates, who are all full. There were no
letters for you in the Royal Sovereign; at least none came to the Victory.
Collingwood has got the Paper of the 23rd; if he has not lent it, I have
desired him to send it to you. Agamemnon, Belleisle, and very probably London,
are at this moment on their passage; therefore, if Mr. Decrés [8] means to come forth (if
he would take my advice, which I dare say he won't), he had better come out
directly. Those who know more of Cadiz than either you or I do, say, that after
those Levanters, come several days of fine weather, sea-breezes Westerly, land
wind at night; and that if the Enemy are bound into the Mediterranean they
would come out at night, which they have always done, placing Frigates on the
Porpoises and Diamond, and the Shoal off Cadiz, run to the Southward, and catch
the sea-breezes at the Mouth of the Gut, and push through whilst we might have
little wind in the offing. In short, watch all points, and all winds and
weathers, for I shall depend upon you. Remember me to Capel, Parker, Mundy, and
Captain Prowse [9], and
be assured I am ever
And always yours, NELSON AND BRONTE.
PRIVATE DIARY.
[From Dr. Beatty's " Narrative of the death of Lord
Nelson,,, p. 96.]
Wednesday, October 9th.
Fresh breezes Easterly. Received an account from Blackwood,
that the French Ships had all bent their top-gallant sails. Sent the Pickle to
him, with orders to keep a good look-out. Sent Admiral Collingwood the Nelson
touch. At night wind Westerly.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 10th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
The Enemy's Fleet are all but out of the
harbour—perhaps, this night, with the Northerly wind, they may come forth,
and with the Westerly sea-breeze to-morrow go into the Mediterranean. I hope we
shall have got as much out of the Transports to-day as we want—not that I
am in any hurry to send them away. They must take their chance when we pursue.
If the weather is fine, and we have plenty of drift, I shall lay to all night.
I believe I mentioned before, when any of the Transports are done with
emptying, they should hoist their Ensign at the mast-head, that the Ships may
send empty wine-pipes, hoops, staves, and condemned provisions.
The Master of the Shields Transport has not been near me,
nor do I know what he has got in, besides the few stores for Canopus, Revenge,
Prince, Achille, &c. Perhaps, he has gone to you as a countryman; if so, it
is well, and you can dispose of him. The bread of course will all be taken, and
what other things are wanted, salt provisions, including flour, to about four
months: the rest will go into Gibraltar. Malabar, I suppose, will be the best
Ship to take Royal Sovereign's cables. Ever, my dear Collingwood, your most
sincere friend,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Sir,
I herewith transmit you, for the information of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a Report of Survey on Captain Sutton,
of His Majesty's Ship Amphion, which was held upon his state of health this
day; and I am sorry to find from the Surveying Officers, that the health of so
good an Officer has suffered so much from persevering in the command of the
said Ship, and much apprehend it will be many months before he is able again to
go afloat. I have in consequence of Captain Sutton's being invalided removed
Captain Hoste into the Amphion [10], and appointed Captain
Sir William Bolton (late of the Guerrier) to the Eurydice in his room, which I
trust their Lordships will be pleased to approve of.
I beg here to take the liberty of recommending Captain
Sutton as a most valuable Officer, and very justly entitled to their Lordships,
notice for employment, when his health is sufficiently recovered for that
purpose.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Sir, I herewith transmit you a Letter from Captain Hoste,
of His Majesty's Ship Eurydice, dated the 5th inst., relative to the
circumstances attending an Imperial Vessel detained by the said Ship, and sent
into Malta, as therein set forth, which I beg you will be so good as to lay
before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their information, that
such directions may be given as will remedy the very serious evil Captain Hoste
complains of; and to prevent in future, Vessels, detained under similar
circumstances, from being liable not only to unnecessary detention, but also
from being saddled with expenses that appear to me in no point of view proper,
and most particularly calculated to deter Officers from seizing or detaining
any suspicious Vessel; by which means the Enemy may trade to a considerable
extent, as no Captain, unless upon thorough conviction of either Ship or cargo
being Enemy's property, would detain any Vessel they might meet with. At
Gibraltar I understand this line of conduct is not observed, and that an
opinion may be immediately had without detention of the Ship, or expense to the
Captor.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Sir,
I herewith transmit you an extract of a letter just
received, dated the 26th August last, from Dr. Sewell, Judge of the
Vice-Admiralty Court at Malta, relative to his having taken the sole charge of
the Spanish detained Vessels sent into Malta, prior to the 11th January last,
out of the hands of Patrick Wilkie, Esq., Agent Victualler, whom I had, in
obedience to their Lordships, order, dated the 1st of February last, thought
proper to appoint on behalf of the Crown. I must here beg to mention, that a
copy of their Lordships, said order was also sent to Mr. Wilkie; but Dr.
Sewell, in his second reason, seems to question their authority. I cannot
conclude this letter without repeating to their Lordships the very
extraordinary interferences that have been made at Malta and Gibraltar on this
occasion, and the disregard that has been paid to their Lordships' authority,
and to the power delegated to me by their said order, which reflects upon the
dignity of the Admiralty, and lowers the consequence of the Admiral in the
Mediterranean.—I am, Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
P. S.—I have directed Mr. Wilkie to consider my order
in full force till their Lordships, pleasure is signified.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Sir,
You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty that His Majesty's Ship Belleisle joined the Fleet this afternoon
from Plymouth, and that I have taken her under my command agreeably to their
Lordships, order of the 20th of last month. I have likewise, in compliance with
their direction, signified to me in your Letter of the 25th ult., ordered Mr.
George Hurst, Midshipman, to be discharged from the Britannia into the
Virginia, and to be sent home by the first opportunity. I am, Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
P.S.—The Confounder Gun-brig arrived this evening, and
has gone to Gibraltar in company with the Ætna Bombvessel.
STANDING ORDERS TO BE OBSERVED BY HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS AND
VESSELS UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE RIGHT HON. LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, K.B.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 490 — 495.]
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS AND COMMANDERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S
SHIPS AND VESSELS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
It is my directions that the Captains and Commanders of His
Majesty's Ships and Vessels under my command, do send me a copy of their Log
when they join (with any other remarks that they may have occasion to make),
instead of a Journal, usually given after separation.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805,
Mem.
The Ships and Vessels of the Fleet under my command are
directed not to show their Colours on joining, unless the Commander-in-Chief
should show his.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
It is my particular directions that the Captains and
Commanders of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels under my command, who may
purchase bullocks, fresh beef, lemons, onions, or any other species of
provisions or refreshments for their respective Companies, whether such
purchase is for a particular Ship, or for the Fleet in general, and whether it
is made by my order or otherwise, that a Voucher of the fresh beef, bullocks,
&c., so procured for the individual Ship or Fleet, is transmitted to me,
immediately the Ship making such purchase shall join the Fleet.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
It is my directions that whenever any men are sent to the
Hospital, a statement of their case is sent with them, that the Medical
Gentlemen belonging to the Hospital may know what has been done in order to
remove the diseases.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
Having frequently known that onions have been purchased on
account of Government when in Port, where the Pursers could and ought to
purchase vegetables to put into the Ships, Companies, soup, and that the onions
so purchased by Government for recruiting the health of the Ships, Companies,
have been used for the benefit of the Purser, by putting these vegetables into
the soup, which the Purser should be obliged to purchase when to be procured;
it is, therefore, my positive directions that the Pursers are obliged to
purchase vegetables for the Ships, soup when it is possible to procure them;
and that the Government onions are not used for the soup, if the Purser has the
power of obtaining onions or other vegetables, as he is bound to do.
And it is my further directions, that whenever fresh
provisions can be procured on reasonable terms, that it is purchased; but that
onions, for the account of Government, are not purchased without my orders.
Ships, absent for any length of time from me, are at liberty to purchase the
gratuitous onions of Government for the recruiting the health of their Ships,
Companies, who may have been long fed upon salt provisions.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
It is the directions of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, that the Captains and Commanders of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels
under my command do not purchase any article of stores whatever at Lisbon,
unless such purchase shall be absolutely and unavoidably necessary; but apply,
if it can be done, to the Naval Officer at Gibraltar or Malta, for the supply
of such stores as they may be in want of, and can be furnished by the said
Officers. You are, therefore, hereby required and directed to pay the most
strict obedience to their Lordships, instructions above mentioned; and on no
account or consideration purchase stores of any description at Lisbon (or at
any other Port in the Mediterranean), unless absolute necessity renders such
purchase indispensably necessary for the good of His Majesty's Service.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
It is the direction of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, that the Captains and Commanders of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels
under my command respectively, have their Muster-Books in readiness when the
Naval Officers at Gibraltar and Malta go on board to muster their Ships,
Companies, and that on failure of attending to the instructions on this head
their Accounts will be stopped.
NELSON AND BRONTE. .
TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS.
Victory, off Cadiz, 10th October, 1805.
Mem.
When in presence of an Enemy, all the Ships under my
command are to bear white Colours, and a Union Jack is to be suspended from the
fore top-gallant stay.
NELSON AND BRONTE. |
