This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1836 Excerpt: ... Nelson"s last Directions to the Fleet. seamen whenever they could be procured, in accordance with that uniform attention which he had paid to their health and comforts. Another enjoined that the name and family of every officer, seaman, and marine, who should be killed or wounded in action with the enemy, on board any of the ships or vessels under his command, should be returned to him as soon after the circumstance as the service should admit, in order that he might transmit it to the chairman of the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's Coffee House, that the case of the relations of those who had fallen in the cause of their country might be taken into consideration. The different divisions of the fleet were also required by one of these orders to bear the white or St, George's ensign, being his own colours, in order to prevent confusion from a variety of flags, and to hoist union jacks at the foretop gallant stay of each ship, as a distinction. On the same day, Nelson wrote to Captain Blackwood, desiring to be informed of every movement of the enemy, who were then actually almost out of the harbour. "I rely," said he, "that we cannot miss getting hold of them, and I will give them such a shaking as they never yet experienced--at least, I will lay down my life in the attempt. We are a very powerful fleet, and not to be had cheap." To his second in command he said: "My dear Coll, the enemy's fleet is 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." During the ensuing night it blew so strong at north-wrest, that the enemy could not venture to get under way; and their continuing thus in port rendered the situation of the blockading fleet extremely critica...
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