Details
NELSON, Admiral HORATIO, Viscount. Autograph letter signed ("Horatio Nelson"), written with his right hand, to Sir Hyde Parker, Agamemnon, 25 November 1795. 2 pages, 4to, on pale blue stationery, remains of scotch tape at top, slight foxing.
Writing as commander of of a frigate squadron off the coast of Genoa, where he had been stationed since mid-July, Nelson reports to his fellow Admiral on the battle at Pietra, explaining the forced inaction of the British squadron:
"I have the pleasure to say by a letter from General de Vins that the French have been [subdued?] in every point with great loss, he says 8 or 10,000 men. The loss of the Austrians has also been great...near 2000 men, this loss is occasioned by the attack of the Enemy gun boat on the flank of the Austrians. I have to lament that I could not divide the Agamemnon; had I been at Pietra this could not have happened, and was I to leave the mouth of Genoa unguarded the Austrian Army of 3000 men would be drove [sic] away from St. Pierre d'Ancona... before sun sett and most probably a position taken, which would be attended with the worst consequences...."
Writing as commander of of a frigate squadron off the coast of Genoa, where he had been stationed since mid-July, Nelson reports to his fellow Admiral on the battle at Pietra, explaining the forced inaction of the British squadron:
"I have the pleasure to say by a letter from General de Vins that the French have been [subdued?] in every point with great loss, he says 8 or 10,000 men. The loss of the Austrians has also been great...near 2000 men, this loss is occasioned by the attack of the Enemy gun boat on the flank of the Austrians. I have to lament that I could not divide the Agamemnon; had I been at Pietra this could not have happened, and was I to leave the mouth of Genoa unguarded the Austrian Army of 3000 men would be drove [sic] away from St. Pierre d'Ancona... before sun sett and most probably a position taken, which would be attended with the worst consequences...."