Lord Nelson's Final Stand
Admiral Nelson, surprisingly, was the only one of my house guests who
remained somewhat quiet after landing in my closet. I sensed
movement coming from that particular area. It just wasn't
frantic. When I began to hear muffled sounds of frustration, I
decided to free Horatio Nelson from his prison. I was quite
surprised with the person who stood across from me. Nelson had
an eye patch covering one eye and was missing an arm...it was apparent
that this man had been through a lot! I imagine fighting my
hangers and shoes wasn't the most traumatic experience he had been
through.
He glared at me with his good eye. It felt as though his gaze had caused my feet to turn to concrete - I couldn't move! This man had some serious power. I think I knew how new military recruits must feel. I was in the presence of one of the greatest military men of all time.
"Where is it that I find myself, young lady?" His presence seemed to require that I immediately respond.
"Well, you're in my room." I hoped this very vague answer would be enough to assuage his curiosity.
"Ahhhh...and where would that be?" He really was not going to let this go.
"I think it would be better if we skip that part - for you and me." I really did not want to have a discussion about time travel with Admiral Nelson.
He seemed to take the hint. Instead of grilling me -like I expected him to- he decided the pictures in my room were more interesting. Once he had perused my belongings to his heart's content, he elegantly sat himself down at my computer desk.
"I am not going to ask where, or perhaps WHEN, I am for I believe it best that we leave these inconsequential details at the moment. I am, however, quite concerned with WHY I am here. I was in the middle of something quite important and I do so hate to be interrupted." He gave me the Military Drill Sergeant stare.
I found it absolutely unbelievable that I wasn't preoccupied with his obvious physical handicaps. If anything, they seemed to make his character that much more intriguing.
"Umm hmmm...." Admiral Nelson actually cleared his throat.
"Oh, sorry! I got lost in my thoughts. Well, what did I take you away from?" He scowled at me and I quickly added on to my statement, "It was an accident and I'll get you back." He seemed to be placated with this added response.
"Well, I had just received vital information that French and Spanish fleets were gaining on my ship. I was about to meet with the officers under my command to develop a plan of action. Mother England must be protected! The French Revolution has been particularly long and nasty."
Oh my! I knew that Admiral Nelson had been brought forward to my time right before the Battle of Trafalgar, his final battle against the French and Spanish forces just off the coast of Cape Trafalgar in Spain! I began to notice a trend. With the exception of King Arthur, all of my house guests had come for a visit right before traumatic events. You see, the Battle of Trafalgar was England's greatest naval victory, but Admiral Nelson died during it.
He glared at me with his good eye. It felt as though his gaze had caused my feet to turn to concrete - I couldn't move! This man had some serious power. I think I knew how new military recruits must feel. I was in the presence of one of the greatest military men of all time.
"Where is it that I find myself, young lady?" His presence seemed to require that I immediately respond.
"Well, you're in my room." I hoped this very vague answer would be enough to assuage his curiosity.
"Ahhhh...and where would that be?" He really was not going to let this go.
"I think it would be better if we skip that part - for you and me." I really did not want to have a discussion about time travel with Admiral Nelson.
He seemed to take the hint. Instead of grilling me -like I expected him to- he decided the pictures in my room were more interesting. Once he had perused my belongings to his heart's content, he elegantly sat himself down at my computer desk.
"I am not going to ask where, or perhaps WHEN, I am for I believe it best that we leave these inconsequential details at the moment. I am, however, quite concerned with WHY I am here. I was in the middle of something quite important and I do so hate to be interrupted." He gave me the Military Drill Sergeant stare.
I found it absolutely unbelievable that I wasn't preoccupied with his obvious physical handicaps. If anything, they seemed to make his character that much more intriguing.
"Umm hmmm...." Admiral Nelson actually cleared his throat.
"Oh, sorry! I got lost in my thoughts. Well, what did I take you away from?" He scowled at me and I quickly added on to my statement, "It was an accident and I'll get you back." He seemed to be placated with this added response.
"Well, I had just received vital information that French and Spanish fleets were gaining on my ship. I was about to meet with the officers under my command to develop a plan of action. Mother England must be protected! The French Revolution has been particularly long and nasty."
Oh my! I knew that Admiral Nelson had been brought forward to my time right before the Battle of Trafalgar, his final battle against the French and Spanish forces just off the coast of Cape Trafalgar in Spain! I began to notice a trend. With the exception of King Arthur, all of my house guests had come for a visit right before traumatic events. You see, the Battle of Trafalgar was England's greatest naval victory, but Admiral Nelson died during it.
1)
"Sorry
about that. I'll get you back as soon as possible," I
said. Hopefully, I was able to assure him. One thing was
for sure...this man's presence required that I do everything to the
best of my abilities. I could see why history remembers him so
fondly.
"Please see that you do, young lady. I have a ship full of men who are counting on me. They need me to give them guidance and to reassure them." It was obvious to me that this man ate, breathed, slept and lived for the Navy. He carried himself like a man who had devoted his entire life to military service.
"If you don't mind, please make yourself comfortable. I have to finish reading this journal entry to return you to your ship. It shouldn't take long. Please be patient with me." I tried to be as reassuring as I could be. It was difficult knowing that this was the third time, in one evening, that I was sending someone back to their death. I had felt a surge of adrenaline and compassion for Queen Boudicca and utter depression in sending Guy Fawkes back. Somehow it seemed right that Horatio Nelson return to his battle. I could tell, without even knowing this man, that he would prefer to die in service of his country. I felt at peace with what I had to do.
I picked up the journal and read of Horatio Nelson's death. The journal entry explained that he was shot toward the beginning of the battle and his spine was badly injured. Although the British fleet was greatly outnumbered and this battle occurred off the coast of Spain, the Queen's Navy was successful. This battle was the greatest victory of the British Navy...of all time! Admiral Nelson died knowing that his men were going to be victorious. His last words were, "Thank God I have done my duty." (Horatio Nelson)
I had finished my great-grandfather's journal. When I looked up, Horatio Nelson was gone. It appeared that everyone and everything had returned to its proper place in time. As the sun began to rise, I headed off to bed in bewilderment. I hoped that I would be able to sleep at some point. Hopefully, in the near future.
"Please see that you do, young lady. I have a ship full of men who are counting on me. They need me to give them guidance and to reassure them." It was obvious to me that this man ate, breathed, slept and lived for the Navy. He carried himself like a man who had devoted his entire life to military service.
"If you don't mind, please make yourself comfortable. I have to finish reading this journal entry to return you to your ship. It shouldn't take long. Please be patient with me." I tried to be as reassuring as I could be. It was difficult knowing that this was the third time, in one evening, that I was sending someone back to their death. I had felt a surge of adrenaline and compassion for Queen Boudicca and utter depression in sending Guy Fawkes back. Somehow it seemed right that Horatio Nelson return to his battle. I could tell, without even knowing this man, that he would prefer to die in service of his country. I felt at peace with what I had to do.
I picked up the journal and read of Horatio Nelson's death. The journal entry explained that he was shot toward the beginning of the battle and his spine was badly injured. Although the British fleet was greatly outnumbered and this battle occurred off the coast of Spain, the Queen's Navy was successful. This battle was the greatest victory of the British Navy...of all time! Admiral Nelson died knowing that his men were going to be victorious. His last words were, "Thank God I have done my duty." (Horatio Nelson)
I had finished my great-grandfather's journal. When I looked up, Horatio Nelson was gone. It appeared that everyone and everything had returned to its proper place in time. As the sun began to rise, I headed off to bed in bewilderment. I hoped that I would be able to sleep at some point. Hopefully, in the near future.
2)
Author's Note:
I wanted to write about Horatio Nelson for a variety of reasons. The first is that not many Americans have any idea who he is. He had a very long career in the British Navy during a pretty interesting time in history. He fought in the American War of Independence, the Napoleonic Wars, and the French Revolution. In London there is a large monument dedicated to him in Trafalgar Square; this site was named for his last battle. The second reason I wanted to write about Admiral Nelson is that Norfolk, where he is from, is twenty minutes from my house. When you drive into Norfolk, the sign that greets you says, "Norfolk Home of Nelson." It is obvious his legacy is not going to be forgotten for a very long time. Finally, I was more interested in what I learned in my background research than what I gathered from the actual story. It was apparent that the men under Nelson's command cared a great deal for him and he was an exceptional leader. It seemed that he really loved his troops. This was the element of Nelson's character that I wanted to focus on. It would have been easy, but probably really boring, to do an account of all of Nelson's victories. The charisma and love that he felt for his job were truly breathtaking...and, I believe the reason he is one of England's heroes.
Author's Note:
I wanted to write about Horatio Nelson for a variety of reasons. The first is that not many Americans have any idea who he is. He had a very long career in the British Navy during a pretty interesting time in history. He fought in the American War of Independence, the Napoleonic Wars, and the French Revolution. In London there is a large monument dedicated to him in Trafalgar Square; this site was named for his last battle. The second reason I wanted to write about Admiral Nelson is that Norfolk, where he is from, is twenty minutes from my house. When you drive into Norfolk, the sign that greets you says, "Norfolk Home of Nelson." It is obvious his legacy is not going to be forgotten for a very long time. Finally, I was more interested in what I learned in my background research than what I gathered from the actual story. It was apparent that the men under Nelson's command cared a great deal for him and he was an exceptional leader. It seemed that he really loved his troops. This was the element of Nelson's character that I wanted to focus on. It would have been easy, but probably really boring, to do an account of all of Nelson's victories. The charisma and love that he felt for his job were truly breathtaking...and, I believe the reason he is one of England's heroes.
Cover Page
Introduction
MY ou homepage
Image
Information:
1) "Battle of Trafalgar" by Louis Phillipe Crepin, 1805, at Art Prints On Demand.
2) "Captain Horatio Nelson" by John Francis Rigaud at SMSC Resources.
Bibliography Information:
"Horatio Nelson (1758-1805)," by John H. Haaren from Famous Men of Modern Times (1909). Web Source: The Baldwin Project.
"Horatio Nelson," 2009, Web Source: Wikipedia.
1) "Battle of Trafalgar" by Louis Phillipe Crepin, 1805, at Art Prints On Demand.
2) "Captain Horatio Nelson" by John Francis Rigaud at SMSC Resources.
Bibliography Information:
"Horatio Nelson (1758-1805)," by John H. Haaren from Famous Men of Modern Times (1909). Web Source: The Baldwin Project.
"Horatio Nelson," 2009, Web Source: Wikipedia.