Volume I Part 14 (1/2)
Rear-Admiral Nelson, right arm shot off.
Captain Thompson, Leander, slightly.
Captain Freemantle, Seahorse, in the arm.
Lieutenant J. Douglas, ditto, in the hand.
Mr. Waits, Mids.h.i.+pman, Zealous.
In a small Spanish pamphlet, published at Madrid, with a translation of which the author has been most obligingly furnished by Sir John Talbot Dillon, though the account of our loss is so prodigiously exaggerated, as to state the killed to be twenty-two British officers and at least five hundred and sixty-six men, and adding that some accounts even make it eight hundred, there are certainly several interesting particulars which bear every mark of authenticity. The acknowledged loss of the Spaniards, however, said to be only twenty-three killed, and thirty-eight wounded, may be considered as not a little apocryphal.
Indeed, no reliance can be placed on their numerical exactness; for the Fox cutter is a.s.serted, by them, to have contained three hundred and eighty men, instead of one hundred and eighty; and Rear-Admiral Nelson is said to have lost his right arm, when in his boat, and before landing, which obliged him to re-embark on board the Theseus, with the other officers who accompanied him badly wounded, on the 23d, instead of on the 24th.
This pamphlet informs us, that Captain Bowen, of the Terpsich.o.r.e, who was killed, had first proposed the attack of Santa Cruz to Admiral Sir John Jervis; which he represented as very easy, having previously cut out of that bay the Spanish frigate, Prince Ferdinand, from the Philippine Islands. His chief pilot was a Chinese, taken out of his former prize, who was also killed on the present occasion.
Lieutenant Robinson, of the marines, badly wounded, was properly attended in the Spanish hospital. A copy of Captain Thompson's orders had been found on him, by Don Bernardo Collagon; a brave and most gallant Spanish youth, who had, sword in hand, defended his country with great spirit, and was so generous and humane to the unfortunate wounded enemy, that he is said to have actually stripped himself of his s.h.i.+rt to make bandages for the wounds of the English. Great humanity, indeed, was shewn to all the wounded; who were carefully re-embarked, many of them in a dying state, immediately after the capitulation was signed. The Spanish governor generously regaled all the English troops with bread and wine, before they went into their boats, and invited the princ.i.p.al officers to dine with him that day. This, however, they politely declined; fearing some irregularity among their soldiers, from the effects of the wine: but agreed to wait on the governor next day. They accordingly did so: when, instructed by Rear-Admiral Nelson, they offered, in his name, to take charge of the governor's dispatches for the Spanish court; and he thus actually became the first messenger of his own defeat.
In the mean time, he returned thanks to the Spanish governor, for his great care of the sick and wounded, by writing him the following letter; dated on board his majesty's s.h.i.+p Theseus, opposite Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, July 26, 1797.
”SIR,
I cannot take my departure from this island, without returning your excellency my sincerest thanks for your attention towards me, by your humanity in favour of our wounded men in your power, or under your care, and for your generosity towards all our people who were disembarked, which I shall not fail to represent to my sovereign; hoping, also, at a proper time, to a.s.sure your excellency, in person, how truly I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
”Horatio Nelson.
P.S. I request your excellency will do me the honour to admit of a cask of English beer, and a cheese.”
”His Excellency, Don Antonio Gutierrez, Commandant General of the Canary Islands.”
To this friendly epistle, the Spanish governor immediately returned the following liberal answer--
”Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, 26th July 1797.
”SIR,
With the highest pleasure, I received your esteemed favour, proceeding from your generous and well-disposed mind; since, on my part, I conceive, no laurel is due to him who only fulfils what humanity dictates: and I have done no more, in behalf of the wounded men, as well as others who disembarked; and whom, after all warfare has ceased, I ought to consider as brothers.
”If, in the state to which the uncertain fate of war has led you, it were in my power, or could any thing that this island produces afford the least comfort or aid to you, it would yield me the truest satisfaction: and, I hope, you will admit of a couple of large flasks of Canary wine; which, I believe, is none of the worst that this island produces.
”A personal intercourse will give me great pleasure, when circ.u.mstances permit it, with a person so deserving, and of such distinguished qualifications as you so feelingly indicate.
Meantime, I pray G.o.d to preserve you in his holy keeping; and am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
”Don Antonio Gutierrez.
”P.S. I have received, and highly esteem, the cask of beer, and cheese, which you have done me the favour to send me.”
”Rear-Admiral Nelson.”
On the 27th of July, there was a solemn Te Deum sung by the Spaniards, in the parochial church of Santa Cruz: that day being the festival of St. Christopher, the tutelary patron of the island; on which an annual thanksgiving is celebrated, as being the identical day when that island was first conquered, three hundred and one years prior to this period.
Such are the chief particulars of the Spanish account, as supplied by Sir John Talbot Dillon's most respectable translation; and which places in a very amiable point of view the characters of the respective commanders.