. History of the nineteenth century in the United States and Europe, illustrated. Period I: During the triumphs of Napoleon's empire. than all the mighty Achilles and great Hectorsof old Homer. At daybreak, October 21, 1805, Nelson saw Napo-leons whole allied fleet about twelve miles off, in avast semicircle, ready for the great conflict for oceansupremacy of the world. Villeneuves order of bat-tle was strong. Plainly he was a great Napoleon, never great in naval affairs, had,against the advice of his minister of marine, Decres,and remonstrances of his admirals, and against Vil-l
. History of the nineteenth century in the United States and Europe, illustrated. Period I: During the triumphs of Napoleon's empire. than all the mighty Achilles and great Hectorsof old Homer. At daybreak, October 21, 1805, Nelson saw Napo-leons whole allied fleet about twelve miles off, in avast semicircle, ready for the great conflict for oceansupremacy of the world. Villeneuves order of bat-tle was strong. Plainly he was a great Napoleon, never great in naval affairs, had,against the advice of his minister of marine, Decres,and remonstrances of his admirals, and against Vil-leneuves better judgment, by threat of removal anddisgrace goaded him into this great battle. Villeneuves enormous first line was twenty-oneships, alone a stronger force than man had ever yetattacked at sea. Twelve more ships were the secondline to fire double and triple broadsides throughopenings in the front line. In all he had 3,042cannon. Napoleons highest tactical skill was displayed atUlm and at Austerlitz. Studying those famous plans,I fail to see how in either he exceeded the skill withwhich Villeneuve planned UNITED STATES AND EUROPE. 113 Abler sea warriors than Nelson and Villeneuvenever crossed cannon shot. Now came the grandcontest of the greatest masters of naval war forsupermastery. Intrepid Nelson ordered the most superb assault,the onset at once of his entire fleet in two grand col-umns. It is the grandest charge of all with it the great charge of the Old Guardat Wagram loses in importance and in spectacle,Valmy becomes a skirmish, and Lodi almost a was extreme intrepidity ; but only audacious daringcould hope for victory over an enemy more formidablethan man had ever fought on the ocean. Nelsons plan was to break Villeneuves line in twoplaces at once and quickly bring every British shipand every one of his 2,542 cannon ^ into close action. Collingwood on the right in the Royal Sover-eign led the first column, fourteen ships
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