About half an hour before the Enemy opened their fire, the memorable telegraphic signal was made, that “England expects every man will do his duty,” which was spread and received throughout the Fleet with enthusiasm.  It is impossible adequately to describe by any language, the lively emotions excited in the crew of the Victory when this propitious communication was made known to them:  confidence and resolution were strongly pourtrayed in the countenance of all; and the sentiment generally expressed to each other was, that they would prove to their Country that day, how well British seamen could “do their duty” when led to battle by their revered Admiral.  The signal was afterwards made to “prepare to anchor after the close of the day;” and union-jacks were hoisted at the fore-topmast and top-gallant-stays of each ship, to serve as a distinction from the Enemy’s, in conformity with orders previously issued by the Commander in Chief.  By his LORDSHIP’S directions also, the different divisions of the Fleet hoisted the St. George’s or white ensign, being the colours of the Commander in Chief:  this was done to prevent confusion from occurring during the battle, through a variety of national flags.

The Royal Sovereign now made the signal by telegraph, that “the Enemy’s Commander in Chief was in a frigate.”  This mistake arose from one of their frigates making many signals.  Lord Nelson ordered his line to be steered about two points more to the northward than that of his Second in Command, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of the Enemy’s van to the port of Cadiz; which was the reason of the three leading ships of Admiral COLLINGWOOD’s line being engaged with the Enemy previously to those of the Commander in Chief’s line.

The Enemy began to fire on the Royal Sovereign at thirty minutes past eleven o’clock; in ten minutes after which she got under the stern of the St. Anna, and commenced a fire on her.  Lieutenant Pasco, Signal Officer of the Victory, was heard to say while looking through his glass, “There is a top-gallant-yard gone.”  His Lordship eagerly asked, “Whose top-gallant-yard is that gone?  Is it the Royal Sovereign’s?” and on being answered by Lieutenant Pasco in the negative, and that it was the Enemy’s, he smiled, and said:  “Collingwood is doing well."[10]

At fifty minutes past eleven the Enemy opened their fire on the Commander in Chief.  They shewed great coolness in the commencement of the battle; for as the Victory approached their line, their ships lying immediately ahead of her and across her bows fired only one gun at a time, to ascertain whether she was yet within their range.  This was frequently repeated by eight or nine of their ships, till at length a shot passed through the Victory’s main-top-gallant-sail; the hole in which being discovered by the Enemy, they immediately opened their broadsides, supporting an