Toulon, and whom he accompanied in pursuit of the armament that had been equipped there, destined to the coast of Egypt.
For a full and circumstantial account of the glorious battle of the Nile, on the 1st August following, we must refer the reader to our memoirs of Sir James Saumarez[1]], and Sir Ben. Hallowell. Instead therefore of entering into detail, we shall
- ↑ See p. 180, et seq.
arms, approaching by every avenue. Finding himself without provisions, the powder wet, and no possibility of obtaining assistance from the ships, the boats being lost, Captain Troubridge, with great presence of mind, sent Captain Hood with a flag of truce to the Governor, Don Juan Antonio Gutierrez, to say he was prepared to burn the town, and would instantly set fire to it if the Spaniards approached one inch nearer; this, however, if he were compelled, he should do with regret, for he had no wish to injure the inhabitants; and he was ready to treat upon these terms that the British should re-embark, with all their arms of every kind, and take their own boats, if they were saved, or be provided with such others as might be wanting: they, on their part, engaging that the squadron should not molest the town, nor any of the Canary Islands; all prisoners on both sides to be given up. When this proposition was made, the Governor said, that the English, situated as they were, ought to surrender as prisoners of war; but Captain Hood replied, he was instructed to declare, that if the terms were not accepted in five minutes, Captain Troubridge would set the town on fire, and attack the Spaniards at the point of the bayonet. Satisfied with his success, which was indeed sufficiently complete, and respecting like a brave and honorable man, the gallantry of his enemy, the Spaniard not only acceded to the proposal, but gave directions for the wounded British to he received into the hospitals, and the whole party to be supplied with the best provisions that could be procured; at the same time granting permission for the ships to send on shore, and purchase whatever refreshments they were in want of during the time they might be off the island.
Sir Horatio Nelson, who had by this time undergone the amputation of his arm, on hearing the noble and generous conduct of Don Juan A. Gutierrez, wrote to thank him for the humanity which he had displayed. Presents were interchanged between them. The Rear-Admiral offered to take charge of the Spaniard’s despatches; and thus actually became the first messenger to Spain of his own defeat.
The loss sustained by the British on this unfortunate expedition was rather considerable; besides Captain Bowen, by whose death the service lost a commander of infinite merit, many other excellent and valuable officers were to be regretted. The whole amounted to 44 killed, 97 drowned, 105 wounded, and 5 missing.
