in pursuit of the combined squadrons of France and Spain, and continued under his orders till Aug. 15, 1805, the day on which his Lordship formed a junction with Admiral Cornwallis off Ushant[1]; from whence she was sent with a strong detachment under Sir Robert Calder in quest of the enemy, and having joined Vice-Admiral Collingwood near Cadiz, remained at the head of the advanced squadron, watching that port till Nelson arrived from England and resumed the chief command of the Mediterranean fleet, when Rear-Admiral Louis was detached to Tetuan and Gibraltar with the Canopus, Spencer, Queen, Tigre, and Zealous, for the purpose of procuring supplies of water and provisions. During the absence of this squadron, the combined forces put to sea, and the glorious battle of Trafalgar took place. Captain Austen was thus unfortunately deprived of the opportunity of sharing in that most brilliant victory: an event which appears to have been anticipated by the Rear-Admiral, who, when taking leave of the commander-in-chief, expressed his reluctance to go, saying, “I know, my Lord, the enemy will come out, you will have an action, and we shall be thrown out.” “My dear Louis,” replied his Lordship, “I have no other means of keeping my fleet supplied, but by sending them a few at a time to compleat, and I send you first, because I would have you with me in the day of battle; I consider your squadron as my right hand: the enemy will come out, and we shall fight them, I am confident of that; but you will be back first, – so make yourself easy: I need not tell you to make haste back.”
We have related the substance of the last conversation that ever took place between Nelson and Rear-Admiral Louis, lest our account of the battle of Trafalgar should be considered by others as calculated to convey a wrong impression, and one not very creditable to the latter officer. We beg leave to add, his Lordship did not detach the Canopus and her companions on a particular service[2], in the common acceptation of those terms, but simply to compleat their water and provisions. This service was completed on the third day after they had passed the Streights; and Rear-Admiral Louis
