Page:Memoirs of the life and gallant services of Admiral Lord Nelson.pdf/21

 of Admiral Lord Nelſon, 21 miral Villeneuve was in the Bucentaure in the cen- tre, and the Prince of Auſturias bore Gravina's Flag, in the rear; but the French and Spaniſh ſhips were mixed without any apparent regard or order of na- ional ſquadron. As the mode of our attack had been previouſly determined on, and communicated to the Flag-offi- cers, and captains, few ſignals were neceſſary, and none were made, except to direct cloſe order as the lines bore down. The Commander in Chief in the Victory led the weather column, and the Royal Sovereign, which bore my Flag, the lee. The action began at twelve o'clock, by the lead- ing ſhips of the columns breaking thro' the enemy's line, the Commander in Chief about the tenth ſhip from the Van, the ſecond in command about the twelfth from the Rear, leaving the Baa of the ene- my unoccupied; the ſucceeding ſhips breaking thro' n all parts, aſtern of their leaders, and engaging the geneny at the muzzles of their guns; the conflict was ſevere; the enemy's ſhips were fought with a gallan- cry highly honourable to their officers; but the at- tack on them was irreſiſtable, and it pleaſed the Al- nighry Difpofer of all events, to grant his Majeſty's arms, a complete and glorious victory; about three P. M. many of the enemy's ſhips having ſtruck their colours, their line gave way; Admiral Gravina, with en ſhips, join ng their frigates to leeward, ſtood to- wards Cadiz. The five headmoſt ſhips in their Van tacked, and (ſanding to the ſouthward, to windward Sf the Britiſh Line, were engaged, and the ſteromoſt of them taken; the others went off, leaving to His Majeſty's Squadron nineteen ſhips of the line, (of which two are firſt rates, the Santiſſima Trinidada, find the Santa Annay with three flag-officers, viz. Admiral Villeneuv-, the Commander in Chief, Don orignatio Maria D Aliva, Vice-admiral, and the Spa- niſh