Welsh Journals

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ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS FOLEY. 117 ment. The British loss was three hundred and fifty killed and eight hundred and ten wounded. The greater part of the Danish ships or floating hulks were literally knocked to pieces. The distance between the opposing forces had been from three hundred to four hundred yards. Commodore Fischer reckoned his killed and wounded at between sixteen hundred and eighteen hundred at the lowest estimate. As an instance of individual courage and devotion on the part of the Danes, and of most noble feeling on the part of Lord Nelson, we transcribe from the Naval Ghionicle, vol. xiv., p. 398, the following anecdote:—" During the repast (at the palace) Lord Nelson spoke in raptures of the bravery of the Danes, and particularly requested the Prince to introduce him to a very young officer, whom he described as having performed wonders during the battle by attacking the E ephant im¬ mediately under the lower guns. It proved to be the gallant young Welmoes—a stripling of seventeen. The British hero embraced him with the enthusiasm of a brother, and delicately intimated to the Prince that he ought to make him an admiral, to which the Prince very happily replied, * If, my lord, I were to make all my brave officers admirals, I should have no captains or lieutenants in my service.' This heroic youth had volunteered for the command of a praam, which is a sort of raft, carrying six small cannon, and manned by twenty-four men, who pushed off from the shore, and in the fury of the battle placed themselves under the stern of the Elephant, which they attacked in so determined a manner that although below the reach of the stern chasers, the British marines made terrible slaughter amongst them ; twenty of these gallant men fell by their bullets; but their young commander continued knee-deep in dead at his post until the truce was announced." Amicable relations between England and the northern Powers were restored towards the end of May. For the successful issue of the Battle of Copenhagen the thanks of Parliament were voted to the admirals, captains, officers, and men of Sir Hyde Parker's fleet. The following extract from Lord Nelson's despatch shows his appreciation of the services of Captain Foley :—" Elephant, off Copenhagen, April 3rd, 1801. To Captain Foley, who permitted me the honour of hoisting my flag in the Elephant, I feel under the greatest obligation. His advice was necessary on many and important occasions during the battle." With the Battle of Copenhagen Captain Foley's war services afloat terminated. On the 24tb of July, 1802, he was married to Lady Lucy Fitzgerald, the youngest daughter of the Duke of Leinster by Lady Emily Lennox, daughter of the Duke of Richmond, and sister of the beautiful and celebrated Lady Sarah Napier. Lady Sarah, as is well knowr in her early youth