HORATIO, VISCOUNT NELSON (1758-1805) Autograph letter signed ('Horatio Nelson') to Sir John Jervis [later Earl of St Vincent, 1735-1823], Agamemnon , Leghorn Roads, 21 December 1795, four pages, 4to (single light stain to lower part of each page). NELSON REPORTS TO SIR JOHN JERVIS THE REFIT OF THE AGAMEMNON AND NEWS OF A FRENCH VICTORY: Nelson reports swift progress with a refit at Leghorn, hoping that 'by the first Week in Jan r y the Agamemnon will be as fit for sea as a rotten ship can be'; meanwhile, he relays news of the French victory [at Loano, where Sir Hyde Parker's refusal to reinforce him had prevented Nelson from supporting the Austrian army] -- 'the loss of the Austrian Army is not yet ascertain'd but it is supposed to exceed 4500 men killed, wounded & Deserters. the Oldest Officers in the Army assure Mr Drake [Francis Drake, Minister in Genoa] they never have been witness's to so total a defeat'. Nelson is particularly concerned that the Austrians are blaming the defeat on a 'want of Co-operation on our parts. I take for granted neither Sir Hyde [Parker] or you will fully answer his letter 'till I have an opportunity of explaining the whole of my conduct'. In any case, he contends that the intervention of the French gunboats was not of overall significance. The arrival of the energetic Jervis as commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, and his immediate approval of Nelson's vigour and enthusiasm, was to have a decisive effect on Nelson's career. Equally critical was the renewed vigour of the French campaign in Italy, the first strategic fruits of the command obtained in Italy by the young Napoleon Bonaparte.
HORATIO, VISCOUNT NELSON (1758-1805) Autograph letter signed ('Horatio Nelson') to Sir John Jervis [later Earl of St Vincent, 1735-1823], Agamemnon , Leghorn Roads, 21 December 1795, four pages, 4to (single light stain to lower part of each page). NELSON REPORTS TO SIR JOHN JERVIS THE REFIT OF THE AGAMEMNON AND NEWS OF A FRENCH VICTORY: Nelson reports swift progress with a refit at Leghorn, hoping that 'by the first Week in Jan r y the Agamemnon will be as fit for sea as a rotten ship can be'; meanwhile, he relays news of the French victory [at Loano, where Sir Hyde Parker's refusal to reinforce him had prevented Nelson from supporting the Austrian army] -- 'the loss of the Austrian Army is not yet ascertain'd but it is supposed to exceed 4500 men killed, wounded & Deserters. the Oldest Officers in the Army assure Mr Drake [Francis Drake, Minister in Genoa] they never have been witness's to so total a defeat'. Nelson is particularly concerned that the Austrians are blaming the defeat on a 'want of Co-operation on our parts. I take for granted neither Sir Hyde [Parker] or you will fully answer his letter 'till I have an opportunity of explaining the whole of my conduct'. In any case, he contends that the intervention of the French gunboats was not of overall significance. The arrival of the energetic Jervis as commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, and his immediate approval of Nelson's vigour and enthusiasm, was to have a decisive effect on Nelson's career. Equally critical was the renewed vigour of the French campaign in Italy, the first strategic fruits of the command obtained in Italy by the young Napoleon Bonaparte.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
