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Battle of Trafalgar...
Battle of Trafalgar...
Item # 559755
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December 23, 1805
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, Massachusetts, December 23, 1805 This title has one of the nicest mastheads of the early 19th century (see). The masthead has ornate writing and an engraving that features a variation of the Great Seal and an Indian, and a banner inscribed with the state motto: "Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quitem" ('By the sword we seek peace but only under liberty').
There is also a quote in the masthead by Thomas Jefferson from his first inaugural address: "Peace, Commerce, and honest Friendship, with all Nations--entangling Alliances, with none."
In addition to this very appealing masthead, are the detailed dispatches on page 2 about the famous Battle of Trafalgar, that appeared in the London Gazette Extraordinary (see for portions).
The first and most detailed dispatch, datelined "Euryalus, off Trafalgar, Oct. 22", is from Vice Admiral Collingwood, "Commander in Chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels of Cadiz". Collingwood begins his dispatch by mentioning the death of Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson. He then describes the events preceding the battle, mentioning that the British squadron consisted of "...27 ships, 3 of them 64's..."
He continues, stating that: "On Monday the 21st...at daylight, when Cape Trafalgar bore E by S. about seven leagues, the enemy was discovered six or seven miles eastward....the commander in chief immediately made the signal for the fleet to bear up in two columns...a mode of attack his Lordship had previously directed....The enemy's line consisted of 33 ships (of which 18 were French and 15 Spanish) commander in chief Admiral Villenueve; the Spaniards, under the direction of Gravina..."
More about the formation of the Franco-Spanish fleet, the report continues: "As the mode of our attack had been previously determined...few signals were necessary... except to direct close order as the line bore down. The commander in chief in the Victory lead the weather column, and the Royal Sovereign, which bore my flag, the lee. The action began at 12 o'clock..."
Hereafter is a fine account of the battle. In the account Collingwood also laments the lost of his colleague, Lord Nelson, mentioning that: "...his Lordship, receive a Musket Ball in his Left Breast, about the middle of the action, and sent an Officer to me...with his last farewell; and soon after expired." There are also details about the damage to the Sovereign, the dispatch is signed in type: C. Collingwood.
Another dispatch provides the order of the British ships, plus there is another dispatch dated Oct. 24, as well as a "General Order" about the death of Lord Nelson, each signed in type: C. Collingwood.
Complete in 4 pages, has a large area of damp-staining in the upper left, with some in the masthead and the pg. 2 content, and there is also an area of damp-staining near the bottom of the lower half, also in the pg. 2 content, otherwise good.
Category: Pre-Civil War
No Longer Available
