Just three days before his legendary final battle at Trafalgar, Admiral Lord Nelson penned a heartfelt letter aboard HMS Victory.
Now, more than two centuries later, that very letter has resurfaced, giving us a rare peek into the mind of one of Britain’s greatest naval heroes as he prepared for his fateful confrontation.
Nelson’s Hopeful Words From HMS Victory
Dated October 18, 1805, the three-page letter was addressed to Admiral Sir Thomas Foley, one of Nelson’s closest comrades in arms—a group he fondly called his “Band of Brothers.”
In the note, Nelson shares his deep anticipation for a decisive encounter, writing, “I hope for a good battle which God of his infinite mercy grant us very soon.”
He went on to say he wished the battle would serve the wider good of Europe and, in his words, “little England in particular.”
Nelson would get his wish just three days later when his bold tactics secured a monumental victory against the combined French and Spanish fleets—but at the cost of his own life.
A Letter Frozen in Time
This letter had stayed within the Foley family for over 200 years.
Now, it’s going up for auction at Christie’s in London on July 9, with an estimated price of £15,000 to £20,000.
Thomas Venning, head of books and manuscripts at Christie’s, called it one of the latest letters from Nelson ever to appear at auction and a rare insight into his mindset before Trafalgar.
Interestingly, Nelson had just received a letter from Foley shortly before leaving Portsmouth for Cadiz, and this now-revealed reply showcases the anticipation building within the British fleet.
Nelson ends the letter with warm regards to Foley’s wife, joking, “I wish her Ladyship would produce you a Boy,” and sends greetings to other friends.
The Letter’s Context and Legacy
Nelson didn’t know for certain when he wrote it that the decisive battle would be just days away.
But he noted that the weather was ideal—which turned out to be a key factor.
Those clear skies lured the French and Spanish fleets out of Cadiz, setting the stage for Trafalgar.
Nelson’s tactical genius, famously breaking naval tradition by steering his ships head-on into enemy lines, shattered the Franco-Spanish formation.
His famous order, “England expects that every man will do his duty,” rang out across the fleet and still resonates in British naval lore.
The Battle That Changed History
On October 21, 1805, Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood led the charge on HMS Royal Sovereign.
Nelson, aboard HMS Victory, steered directly into the center of the enemy line.
The battle saw brutal fighting at close quarters, and Victory eventually rammed through enemy ships.
In the midst of battle, a French sniper fatally shot Nelson.
He died a few hours later, just after hearing that his fleet had triumphed.
He was told, “Victory is ours,” before quietly slipping away below deck.
The Union Jack Joins the Auction Block
Adding to the historical excitement, the Union Jack flown from HMS Royal Sovereign during the battle is also going on sale at a separate auction.
The flag—which suffered battle damage and still had embedded wood splinters before restoration—was salvaged and preserved for 220 years.
It will be sold by antique dealers Greens of Cheltenham.
The Controversy Over Nelson’s Last Words
Debate has long surrounded Nelson’s dying words.
Was it really “Kiss me, Hardy” as legend tells? Or something else entirely? A newly uncovered letter by Robert Hilton, a young surgeon’s mate aboard HMS Swiftsure, claims Nelson’s final words were, “I have then lived long enough.”
Others rely on reports from Nelson’s official surgeon who said the final statement was, “Thank God I have done my duty.”
Whatever the truth, the combination of Nelson’s letter, the auctioned flag, and firsthand accounts paint a vivid picture of a moment that helped shape Britain’s destiny for the next century.
This isn’t just a piece of paper or fabric—it’s living history.