The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2Harrison, James
History
The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2
Harrison, James
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
then went, as he says, on board the Holstein--the brave captain of
which did not want him--where he did not hoist his pendant. From
this ship, he went on shore, either before or after she struck, or
he would have been again a prisoner. As to his nonsense about
victory, his royal highness will not much credit him. I sunk,
burnt, captured, or drove into the harbour, the whole line of
defence to the southward of the Crown Islands. He says, he is told
that two British ships struck. Why did he not take possession of
them? I took possession of his as fast as they struck. The reason
is clear, that he did not believe it. He must have known the
falsity of the report, and that no fresh British ships did come
near the ships engaged. He states, that the ship in which I had the
honour to hoist my flag fired, latterly, only single guns. It is
true; for steady and cool were my brave fellows, and did not wish
to throw away a single shot. He seems to exult, that I sent on
shore a flag of truce. Men of his description, if they ever are
victorious, know not the feel of humanity. You know, and his royal
highness knows, that the guns fired from the shore could only fire
through the Danish ships which had surrendered; and that, if I
fired at the shore, it could only be in the same manner. God
forbid, that I should destroy an unresisting Dane! _When they
became my prisoners, I became their protector_. Humanity alone,
could have been my object; but Mr. Fischer's carcase was safe, and
he regarded not the sacred call of humanity. His royal highness
thought as I did. It has brought about an armistice; which, I pray
the Almighty, may bring about a happy reconciliation between the
two kingdoms. As I have not the names of all the ships
correct--only of the thirteen, including the seven sail of the line
which struck, remained at anchor, and fell into my possession after
the battle--I shall, therefore, be very much obliged to you, for a
correct list of their names; and the number of men, if possible to
be obtained, on board each, and the numbers sent from the shore
during the action. My earnest wish is, to be correct; and believe
me, dear Sir, with great esteem, your most obedient servant,
"Nelson and Bronte."
"General-Adjutant Lindholm."
Whatever severity may appear in this retort, it's, justice would be with
difficulty refuted. The answer of General-Adjutant Lindholm apologizes,
with very considerable address, for the commander in chief; but that
honourable officer's reasoning is also tinctured with as much national
partiality as is consistent with a due regard to truth. This is no
uncommon effect of patriotic zeal in the best minds, and may be traced
even in that of our hero.
"Copenhagen, 2d May 1801.
"MY LORD!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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