Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-12-26
THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR.
From Alison's History of Europe.

tacle than was presented by the British fleet
bearing down on the combined squadrons, at
noon on the 2lst of October, 1905, few
leagues to the northwest of Cape Trafalgar.
"A long swell was setting into the Bay of Cadz /;
our ships, crowding alb their canvass, moved
maJestlcally before it, with light winds from the
southwest. Right before them lay the mighty
ornaments of France and Spain, the sun shin
ing iull on their cose-set sails, and the vast
three deckers which it contained appeared of
stupendous magnitude amid the lesser lne-of-
battle ships by which they were surrounded.
The British sailors, however, admired only the
beauty and splendor of the spectacle, and never
doubling of success, observed to each other,
What fine sight yonder ships would make at
Spithead y Nelson, when he appeared on the
quarter deck, wore his admra's frock coat,
bearing on his left breast four stars, the insignia
OF the different orders with which he was in
vested. The officers on board lamented such
display, which it was evident would expose him
to certain death from the enemy's marksmen +;
but they knew it was in vain to remonstrate as
his resolution was taken and he had before been
heard to say, "In honor gained them. in honor
| will die with them" lie was in good spirits,
but calm and sedate; not in that eXhilaration
with which he had entered into battle at the
Nile and Copenhagen. 1t was evident that he
HcllIe1 eNDeCLpu nOG NlSDeu 10 survive the aC-
ton. lie asked Captain Blackwood what
he should deem a victory. That officer
answered he should consider it a glorious re-
suit if fourteen were taken; but Nelson re-
piled, he should not be satisfied with less than
twenty. He then made signal for the British
fleet to prepare to anchor at the close of the
day, and when it was given asked the captain
whittier he did not think there was another
wanting; and, after musng while, he fixed
what it should be, aud the signal appeared at
the masthead of the Victory, the last he ever
made, which will be remembered as long as the
British name shall endure: England expects
that every man shall do his duty" It was re-
ceived by a rapturous shout throughout the
fleet, which already rung the knell of those of
France and Spain, although their seamen were
brave and experienced, and animated with the
utmost enthusiasm for the combat which was ap-
preaching "Now,' said Nelson, 81 can do no
more; we must trust to the Great Disposer of
all events and the justice of our cause. thank
God for this great opportunity of doing my
duty"
Nelson lead thirteen ships of the line in the
Victory, Collingwood fourteen in the Royal
Sovereign; but such was the superior sailing of
the latter vessel, that she speedily distanced all
her competitors and was already near the enc
my's line when the last vessels in the column
were still six miles distant; and as Nelson
steered two points more to the north than Col
lingwood in order to cut off the enemy's re-
treat from Cadi2, the other column was first en-
gagged. Far ahead of all the rest of the fleet
was the Royal Sovereign, which, with all sails
set, steered right into the center of the enemy's
line, and was already enveloped in fire. when
the nearest vessels, notwithstanding their ut
most eforts,were still more than two miles in
the rear "See," said Nelson, show that noble
fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action"
while Collingwood, well knowing what would be
passing in the breast of his commander and
friend, at the same time observed, "What would
Nelson give to be here !" When Villeneuve
beheld the manner in which the hostile fleet
was bearing down upon his line, he remarked
to those around him that all was lost. In pas
sing the Santa Ana, the Royal Sovereign gave
her broadside and a half into her stern, tear
ing it down, and killing and wounding four
hundred Of her men; then wheeling rapidly
round, she lay beside her SO close that the lower
yards of the two vessels were locked together
and the muzzles Of their guns literally touched
each other. The Spanish admiral Alva, seeing
it was the intention of the Royal Sovereign to
engage him to leeward had brought all his
strength to the starboard side and such was
the weight of his meta that the first broadside
made the Royal Sovereign keel two streaks out
of the water. A furious combat now engaged
between the two first-rates but such was the
rapidity and precision Of the Royal Sovereign's
fire, that the discharges of the Spaniard rapidly
became weaker and weaker and it was ex-
pected by the English that she would be COM
PEELED to strike before another British ship had
got into close action. This disgrace, however,
was prevented by the St. Juste, Indomitable
1H,,,. / Il
round the Royal Sovereign when they saw
their admirals danger, and assaicd her on all
sides by such vehement cross-fre that their
balls frequently struck each other above the
deck of the English vessel. Regardless of his
danger, Colingwood continued for twenty min
utes pouring his broadside into his frst-rate
antagonist, and with such effect that she at
length returned his fire only by a single gnn, at
long intervals from each other, though with a
frmness worthy the Spanish character. The
admiral continued the contest, relying on the
assistance of his friends, who now clustered
round the English vessel so closely that she was
entirely hid from the remainder of the fleet and
they watched with intense anxiety the opening
of the smoke which at length showed the Brit
ish flag waving unconquered in the midst of
the numerous ensigns of France and Spain, by
whice it was surrounded.
MeanWnlle nelson, burning Win anxiety, was
crowding all sail to reach the scene of danger
and as he approached within mile and halfs
distance shots were fired from different vessels
in the enemy's line, some of which fell short,
and others went over, until at length one went
through the Victorys main -gallant-sail
A minute or two of awful silence ensued, during
which the Victory continued to advance, when
all at once the whole van of seven or eight
ships opened a concentric fire upon her, of such
severity as hardly ever before was directed at a
single ship AT this awful moment the wind
which had long been silent, died away to a mere
breath, so that the Victory advanced still more
slowly, ploughng m0jestically through the
waves, unable from her position to return sim
gle shot. Presently ball knocked away the
wheel-eyery man at the poop was soon killed
or wounded-the spars and rigging were fall
ing on all sdes-while the crew, with their
lighted matches in their hands, stood at their
guns, long waiting, with the cooness which dis
cpline alone give, the signal to return the fire.
At this moment Nelson's secretary, Mr.. Scott,
was killed by his side. "This is too warm
work, Hardy" said he, "to last long" as he
continued with his captain, amid the scene of
destruction, his accustomed slow walk in the
center Of the vessel. He at first steered for
the bows of the Santssimo Trinidada, which he
imagined bore the French admiral, though his
flag was not yet hoisted but as the Victory
approached, the enemy closed up and presented
so compact front that it was impossible to
lind an entrance, and Nelson directed Captain
Hardy to steer for the opening between the
Temeraire and Bucpntaur and nj one o'clock