Moment of Battle by Jim Lacey

Author:Jim Lacey [Lacey, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-345-52699-1
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2013-05-21T04:00:00+00:00

When this was written, he was just thirty-nine and his great battles at the Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar were all before him. When he appeared off Cádiz, every British sailor was sure of two things: Decisive violent action would soon ensue; and victory was assured.

Nelson may have played favorites, but one became a favorite only when he proved to be supremely competent and abnormally brave. When Nelson admitted you into his “band of brothers,” you were given his total trust in all things and his unquestioning loyalty. One example of this loyalty will have to suffice for many that could be mentioned. At an earlier point in his life, Nelson in a single ship was forced to flee before a sizable Spanish force. In his haste to escape, Nelson left Lieutenant Thomas Hardy and a shore party behind, intending to come back for him when it was safe. From his post on the quarterdeck, Nelson saw Hardy rowing hard to catch up to him while the Spanish fleet bore down. Exclaiming, “By God, I will not lose Hardy,” Nelson swung his ship around to fight. The Spanish, sure they were walking into a trap, turned and fled. Hardy was saved, later to serve as Nelson’s flag captain at Trafalgar and rise to become England’s first sea lord. This devotion to his men was always returned to Nelson ten times over.

In his written instructions just before the battle, Nelson told his commanders, “No captain could do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of an enemy.” When the time came, this was exactly what most of them did.

But fleet engagements are not won by admirals or captains. Once they have done their part and put their ships in contact with the enemy, the decision lies in the hands of the men who man the guns. Under Nelson, these men thought themselves invincible. For the most part, the “iron men” at Trafalgar were long-serving veterans used to hardship and toil. In peacetime, they were a dangerous lot and often kept on board ship even when in port. In war, they were demons. They were not men easily impressed by rank or flash, but they loved Nelson.

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