THE LIFE OF NELSON

THE EMBODIMENT OF THE SEA POWER OF GREAT BRITAIN

BY

CAPTAIN A. T. MAHAN, D.C.L., LL.D.
UNITED STATES NAVY

AUTHOR OF
"THE INFLUENCE OF SEA POWER UPON HISTORY, 1660-1783,"
"THE INFLUENCE OF SEA POWER UPON THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND EMPIRE,"
AND OF A "LIFE OF ADMIRAL FARRAGUT"

IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL. II.

LONDON
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, & COMPANY,
LIMITED
1897

Vice-Admiral, Lord Nelson

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

[LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.]
[BATTLE PLANS.]
[CHAPTER XIV.]
NELSON TEMPORARILY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.—RELIEVED BY LORD KEITH.—APPLIES TO RETURN TO ENGLAND ON ACCOUNT OF ILL HEALTH.
AUGUST, 1799—JUNE, 1800.
Nelson left in temporary command[1]
His disposition of the squadron[1]
Made Duke of Bronté in Sicily[2]
His hopes of remaining in command disappointed[3]
His discontent[3]
Energy and tact in exercising command[4]
Affairs in Rome and Naples[5]
Nelson visits Minorca[6]
His anxiety about Malta[7]
Portuguese squadron recalled to Lisbon.—Nelson's action[8]
Characteristics of his intercourse with foreign officials[10]
Urgency with army to support blockade of La Valetta[12]
Partial success in this[13]
Successes on the Continent of the Coalition against France[14]
Subsequent blunders and disasters[15]
Nelson's mortification at Bonaparte's escape to France[16]
The French defeat the Turks at Aboukir[17]
Nelson peremptorily forbids Sidney Smith to allow any French to leave Egypt[18]
Smith nevertheless countenances the Convention of El Arish[19]
His action disallowed by Keith and Nelson[20]
Nelson's vivid expressions of disapproval[21]
Nelson joins Keith at Leghorn[22]
They visit Palermo and Malta together[22]
Capture of "Le Généreux," 74, by Nelson's division[24]
Nelson's relations with Keith, and bearing towards him[27]
Keith orders Nelson to take personal charge off Malta[28]
Nelson's annoyance and remonstrance[29]
His restiveness under Keith's command[30]
He returns from Malta to Palermo[31]
The "Guillaume Tell," 80, captured in his absence[31]
Displeasure of the Admiralty at his quitting his station[32]
Letters of the First Lord[33]
Nelson's soreness under them[34]
He applies for leave to return to England[35]
[CHAPTER XV.]
NELSON LEAVES THE MEDITERRANEAN.—THE JOURNEY OVERLAND THROUGH GERMANY.—ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.—SEPARATION FROM LADY NELSON.—HOISTS HIS FLAG IN THE CHANNEL FLEET, UNDER LORD ST. VINCENT.
JUNE, 1800—JANUARY, 1801.
Nelson escorts the Queen of Naples to Leghorn with two British ships-of-the-line[36]
Keith's displeasure[37]
Nelson at Leghorn[37]
Austrians defeated at Marengo[37]
Nelson and the Hamiltons leave Leghorn for Ancona[39]
Journey to Trieste and Vienna[40]
Enthusiasm shown towards Nelson by the people[40]
Mention of him and Lady Hamilton by eye-witnesses[41]
Anecdotes of him[42]
His meeting with the Archduke Charles at Prague[43]
Mrs. St. George's account of him at Dresden[43]
Her disparaging mention of Lady Hamilton[44]
Arrival of the party in England[45]
Lady Nelson's attitude at this time[46]
Her letters to Nelson[47]
His reception and conduct in London[48]
Growing estrangement between him and Lady Nelson[51]
Anecdote of his visit to Fonthill[52]
Final breach with Lady Nelson[53]
Her blameless character, and subsequent life[54]
Nelson's testimony to her conduct[55]
Hoists his flag on board the "San Josef" at Plymouth[56]
Birth of the child Horatia[56]
Nelson's care to conceal his relations with Lady Hamilton[57]
[CHAPTER XVI.]
THE EXPEDITION TO THE BALTIC AND BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN.—NELSON RETURNS TO ENGLAND.
FEBRUARY—JUNE, 1801.
Origin of the trouble between Great Britain and Denmark[60]
The entrance of the Czar Paul into the quarrel[62]
Renewal of the Armed Neutrality of 1780[63]
Relations of Bonaparte to this event[64]
Nelson joins the fleet under Sir Hyde Parker, at Yarmouth[65]
Relations between him and Parker[66]
Nelson's disapproval of the plans for the expedition[68]
Evident change in his general disposition[69]
Anecdote of Nelson and the turbot[70]
The fleet collected off the Skaw[70]
Parker's slowness and Nelson's impatience[71]
Alarming reports of the Danes' preparations[72]
Nelson's attitude and counsels[73]
Accuracy of his judgment of the conditions[74]
Tact and discretion in his dealings with Parker[74]
His letter to Parker upon the general situation[75]
Parker's indecision[77]
Nelson's plans adopted[78]
The fleet passes the Sound[79]
Detail and discussion of Nelson's plan of operations[80]
His feelings and speech in the Council of War[82]
Nelson's division anchors south of Copenhagen[82]
Nelson on the night before the battle[83]
The Danish dispositions for defence[85]
Nelson's Plan of Attack—Detail and discussion[85]
The Battle of Copenhagen[87]
Parker makes the signal to leave off action[89]
Nelson refuses to repeat it[90]
Discussion of this incident[91]
Incidents of the battle[94]
Nelson addresses a letter to the Crown Prince under a flag of truce[94]
Characteristic anecdote[95]
Discussion of the sending of the flag of truce[96]
The battle discontinued[97]
Nelson removes his ships[97]
Completeness of his success[98]
Merit of his conduct throughout[99]
He is advanced in the peerage to be a Viscount[99]
No other rewards, or medals, bestowed for this action[99]
Negotiations intrusted to Nelson by Parker[100]
The murder of the Czar Paul[100]
Armistice for fourteen weeks concluded with Denmark[103]
Qualified approval of the British Government[104]
The British fleet enters the Baltic[104]
Nelson's ardor and personal recklessness.—Anecdote[105]
Parker's sluggishness of action.—Nelson's impatience[106]
Russia intimates her purpose to abstain from hostilities[107]
Nelson's controversy with the Danish Commodore Fischer[108]
Parker ordered home, and Nelson left in command[110]
Dissatisfaction of the latter[110]
His longing to return to Lady Hamilton[110]
He insists upon being relieved, on account of his health[111]
He starts at once with the fleet for Revel[111]
Displeasure manifested by the Czar Alexander[112]
Nelson withdraws from Revel to Rostock[113]
The Czar thereupon raises the embargo on British merchant ships[114]
Nelson's elation over this result of his conduct[114]
Details of his life on board[115]
His avoidance of social relations outside the ship[115]
Relieved by Admiral Pole, and returns to England[117]
[CHAPTER XVII.]
NELSON COMMANDS THE "SQUADRON ON A PARTICULAR SERVICE," FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE COAST OF ENGLAND AGAINST INVASION.—SIGNATURE OF PRELIMINARIES OF PEACE WITH FRANCE.
JULY-OCTOBER, 1801.
Nelson's longing for repose[118]
His services immediately required again[119]
His reluctant consent[120]
Bonaparte's threats of invasion[120]
Inadequacy of British preparations for coast-defence[121]
Nature of British apprehensions in 1801[122]
Nelson's Memoranda for the Defence of the Thames[123]
Analysis and discussion of this paper[126]
St. Vincent's sagacious views on national defence[131]
Apparent divergence between him and Nelson[131]
Nelson hoists his flag again[133]
His tact and courtesy towards others[134]
Activity of his movements[135]
Satisfied that there can be no invasion[136]
Boat attack upon the vessels before Boulogne[137]
Its disastrous failure[138]
Nelson's distress[138]
His exasperation at being kept afloat[138]
His alienation from Troubridge[140]
Annoyances of his situation[142]
Death of Commander Parker.—Nelson's grief[143]
His liberality in money matters[143]
Pecuniary embarrassments[144]
Signature of the preliminaries of peace[144]
Nelson's satisfaction at the prospect of release[144]
His indignation at the excessive elation of others[144]
Receives leave of absence and goes home[145]
[CHAPTER XVIII.]
RELEASE FROM ACTIVE SERVICE DURING THE PEACE OF AMIENS.—HOME LIFE AT MERTON.—PUBLIC INCIDENTS.
OCTOBER, 1801—MAY, 1803.
Nelson makes his home with the Hamiltons[146]
His letter of final severance to his wife[146]
His relations to his stepson, Josiah Nisbet[147]
Desire to have a home of his own[149]
Lady Hamilton selects Merton for him[150]
The purchase effected, and the Hamiltons reside with him[150]
Position of Sir William and of Lady Hamilton in the house[151]
Differences between them[152]
Minto's account of the household at Merton[154]
Reminiscence of the same by Nelson's nephew[155]
Incident narrated by Lieutenant Layman[157]
Recollections of Nelson by the vicar's daughter[159]
Nelson's strong religious sense of Divine Providence[159]
Takes his place in the House of Lords[160]
His controversy about rewards for the Battle of Copenhagen[161]
His action justified[165]
Nelson's warm and avowed sympathy with his followers[165]
His consistent maintenance of the ground assumed[166]
His interest in public questions[168]
Dissatisfaction with the general conduct of the Admiralty[169]
His sense of neglect[170]
Embarrassment in money matters[171]
Inadequacy of his pension to his services[171]
His doubts as to the continuance of peace[172]
His antagonism to Bonaparte illustrated[172]
Speech in seconding the address to the throne[173]
Designated for the Mediterranean in case of war[174]
Volunteers his services[174]
Hoists his flag in the "Victory," and sails[175]
Breaks in his home-ties during this period[176]
Death of his father[176]
Death of Sir William Hamilton[177]
Hamilton's expressed confidence in Nelson[178]
Relations of Nelson's family to Lady Nelson and to Lady Hamilton[178]
[CHAPTER XIX.]
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.—THE LONG WATCH OFF TOULON.—OCCUPATIONS OF A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
MAY, 1803—JANUARY, 1805.
Changed political conditions in the Mediterranean[179]
Attitude of the Great Powers[180]
Situation of Spain and Portugal[181]
Policy of the Italian States[181]
Nelson's sense of the importance of the Mediterranean[182]
Bonaparte's policy[184]
The course advocated by Nelson[185]
Accuracy of his general forecast[187]
Impatience to reach his station[188]
Unwilling detention off Ushant[188]
Quits the "Victory," and proceeds in a frigate[189]
Momentary stop in Gibraltar[189]
Arrival at Malta[190]
Extensive correspondence[190]
Policy as regards the Two Sicilies[191]
His impatience with blind observance of orders[192]
Departure from Malta for Toulon[194]
Emotions at the sight of Naples[194]
Opinion on Malta's value to England[195]
Strategic importance of Malta and Gibraltar[195]
Nelson joins the fleet before Toulon[196]
Bad condition of the ships[196]
His skilful administration of the fleet[197]
Difficulty of obtaining supplies[198]
His attitude towards Spain[199]
Importance of Sardinia in Nelson's eyes[200]
The valuable anchorage at Madalena[201]
Station taken by him off Toulon[202]
Fears loss of Sardinia, and serious consequences[203]
Significance of Napoleon's inactivity in the Mediterranean[204]
The winter rendezvous of the fleet.—Number 97[205]
Seamanlike care of ships and spars[206]
Preserves health of seamen by constant activity[206]
Sanitary conditions of the fleet[208]
His personal health, and anxieties[209]
Fears a break-down[210]
Speculations as to French intentions[211]
Characteristic distrust of Frenchmen[211]
Increasing perplexities[212]
Firmness of his resolution[213]
The French manoeuvre outside Toulon[214]
Nelson's tactical conclusions and arrangements[215]
His care to impart his ideas to his officers[216]
Methods of intercourse with them[217]
Exasperation at a statement of Latouche Tréville[217]
Endeavors to force or to lure the French to sea[219]
Effect of worry upon his mind[221]
His last promotion.—Vice-Admiral of the White[221]
Wearing effect of protracted monotony[222]
Refuses to let Lady Hamilton join him[223]
The daily life on board[224]
Account of Nelson's health and habits[225]
Occupations in business hours[228]
Diplomatic ability and conciliatory temper[229]
Sharp reply to remonstrance about blockades[230]
Difficulties with Algiers[230]
Nelson's diligent pursuit of information[233]
Interest in listening to conversations[233]
Examination of foreign journals and captured letters[234]
Kindliness in intercourse with others[236]
Exercise of official patronage[239]
Protection of British trade[241]
Want of frigates and small cruisers[243]
Collection and protection of convoys[244]
Nelson applies for sick leave[245]
Desire to return to the station afterwards[246]
Leave is granted by the Admiralty[246]
The Mediterranean Station divided[247]
Sir John Orde given the portion west of Gibraltar[247]
Nelson's dissatisfaction and complaints[247]
His change of mind about going home[249]
Learns Cornwallis's order to seize Spanish treasure-ships[251]
Directs captains under his orders not to obey[251]
Letter illustrative of the characteristics of his orders[252]
Adequacy of his measures to the requirements of the case[254]
Determines not to use his leave of absence[255]
Orde arrives off Cadiz[256]
Indications of the French fleet leaving Toulon[257]
Nelson receives word of the seizure of Spanish ships[258]
Promptness of his measures.—Reasons therefor[258]
Rumors of French departure[260]
Annoyances caused Nelson by Orde[261]
The mission of the frigate "Amazon"[261]
Nelson's hope of meeting the French fleet[263]
Opinions on general subjects[263]
Sympathetic insight into Bonaparte's purposes[265]
The French fleet sails from Toulon[266]
[CHAPTER XX.]
THE ESCAPE AND PURSUIT OF THE TOULON FLEET.—NELSON'S RETURN TO ENGLAND.
JANUARY-AUGUST, 1805.
Object of Napoleon's combinations in 1805[267]
Details of his plan[268]
Nelson's share in thwarting it[269]
The difficulties of one dealing with Napoleon[271]
Nelson's guiding principle[271]
The sailing of the Toulon fleet[272]
Nelson's movements and perplexities[273]
Goes to Alexandria[277]
Returns to Gulf of Palmas, Sardinia[278]
British disasters in Western Mediterranean[278]
Characteristic letter of Nelson in behalf of an officer[279]
Explanations to the Admiralty about his own course[280]
Makes a round off Toulon and Barcelona to deceive the enemy[282]
Returns to the Gulf of Palmas[283]
The Toulon fleet sails again[284]
Its movements and those of Nelson[284]
Distress and misfortunes of the latter[286]
Learns that the French fleet has passed the Straits[287]
Thoroughness and sagacity of his measures[287]
Continued head winds and distress of mind[289]
The excitement in London[290]
Gloom at the Admiralty[291]
Nelson's constancy against bad fortune[292]
Hears that the French and Spaniards are gone to the West Indies[292]
Determines to follow them there[295]
Sails in pursuit[296]
Incidents of the voyage[297]
Arrives in Barbadoes[298]
Misled by false information[299]
Rapid measures to retrieve the mis-step[299]
Infers that the enemy have returned to Europe[301]
He starts back immediately for Gibraltar[302]
His judgments rapid, but not precipitate[302]
Strength of his convictions[303]
Relief from the anxiety previously felt[303]
Movements of the allies and of Nelson[304]
Precautions of the latter[305]
His own explanation of his reasons[305]
Discussion of this utterance[306]
Indecisive engagement between the allies and Sir Robert Calder[307]
Alarm in London at the failure of the latter[307]
Nelson's protracted pursuit and mental depression[308]
Reaches the Straits again[309]
Appreciation of his action by others[310]
Exchange of views between Nelson and Collingwood[311]
Movements of Villeneuve, Calder, and Nelson[313]
Nelson's arrival in Gibraltar[314]
Subsequent rapid movements[315]
Learns the news brought by the "Curieux"[315]
Starts at once for the northward[315]
Joins the Channel Fleet off Ushant[317]
Leaves his squadron with Cornwallis, and proceeds to England[317]
Anchors at Spithead[318]
His sympathy with Calder[318]
Tenacity of his opinions[319]
[CHAPTER XXI.]
NELSON'S LAST STAY IN ENGLAND.
AUGUST 19—SEPTEMBER 15, 1805.
Nelson hauls down his flag and goes to Merton[320]
Interviews with the Admiralty[320]
His one meeting with Wellington[321]
Interview with Lord Castlereagh[323]
Popular demonstrations of affection[325]
Home life at Merton[326]
Presentiments[327]
Intimations of early summons into service[327]
News arrives that the combined fleets are in Cadiz[328]
Determination of the British Government[328]
Nelson's opinion on the License System[330]
His services requested by the Government[330]
Lady Hamilton's part in his decision[331]
It is settled that he return to the Mediterranean[332]
His health and spirits[332]
His insistence upon the need for numbers[333]
Final departure from home[335]
Flag re-hoisted on board the "Victory"[335]
Anecdote of Nelson and the gypsy[335]
[CHAPTER XXII.]
THE ANTECEDENTS OF TRAFALGAR.
SEPTEMBER 15—OCTOBER 19, 1805.
Popular demonstrations when Nelson embarked[337]
The passage to Cadiz[338]
Precautions to deceive the enemy[339]
His reception by the officers of the fleet[339]
The "Plan of Attack" of May, 1805[341]
The "Nelson Touch"[343]
Discussion and comparison of these two papers[346]
Comparison between the second and the Battle of Trafalgar, as fought[350]
Nelson and Sir Robert Calder[353]
Nelson's concession to Calder, and his own comments upon it[355]
His disposition of the fleet before Cadiz[356]
His fear lest the enemy should evade him[358]
Growing presentiments, and cheerful calmness[359]
Anecdote showing his considerateness[359]
Necessity for sending away a detachment[360]
Numbers of the British, and of the allies in Cadiz[360]
Nelson's general intentions, made known to his subordinates[361]
The enemy begins to leave Cadiz[362]
[CHAPTER XXIII.]
TRAFALGAR.—THE DEATH OF NELSON.
OCTOBER 19-21, 1805.
Numbers and composition of the opposing fleets[363]
Difficulties of the allies in leaving port[364]
Respective movements of the two fleets[364]
Nelson's last letter to Lady Hamilton[365]
His last letter to his child[366]
Events and incidents of October 20[366]
Relative positions of the fleets at midnight[368]
Conditions at daybreak of the 21st[369]
The manoeuvres of the two fleets[370]
Nelson's intercourse with Blackwood on the 21st[372]
He bequeaths Lady Hamilton and Horatia to the care of his Country[375]
The hostile fleets forming for battle[377]
Nelson's impatience to close the enemy[378]
The anxiety of others for his personal safety[379]
The order of the allies while awaiting attack[379]
Nelson's last prayer as entered in his journal[380]
The origin and development of his famous signal[382]
The battle opens[383]
The "Victory" comes under fire[384]
Nelson bids Blackwood a final farewell[385]
Exposure and loss of life on board the "Victory"[386]
The "Victory" breaks the enemy's line[387]
Her duel with the "Redoutable"[387]
Nelson falls, mortally wounded[388]
The death-scene in the cockpit[389]
The decisive hour of the battle[390]
The second and closing phase of the battle[391]
Nelson's anxiety about Hardy[391]
Hardy's first visit to his death-bed[392]
The final exchange of shots[393]
Hardy's second visit and Nelson's farewell[394]
The last moments[395]
The death of Nelson[396]
The close of the fight[396]
The significance of Nelson's life[397]
The perfect fulfilment of his life's work[398]
[INDEX.]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.