| Chapter 1: | Educating Stockton |
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Robert Southey, the most famous of all of Nelson's biographers, told a friend that he would write “such a life of Nelson as shall be put into the hands of every youth destined for the Navy.”36 Thus it was in the pages and pictures of Nelson's legendary37 heroic valor that young Robert Stockton undoubtedly learned of the dominant characteristic of self-confidence in Nelson's life, “which essentially forms and establishes the undaunted mind.”38 However, Robert may just as well have internalized Nelson's secondary characteristics of “creative disobedience” and care for subordinates, as well as his persona as a “chivalrous champion,” and his lifelong search for glory.39
Creative Disobedience
Nelson's “creative disobedience” arose from his philosophy of “independence of command”; he believed that he should be able to take the initiative as a subordinate in a battle, even if it meant ignoring orders. For example, at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent (February 14, 1797), Nelson pulled out of the British line of battle to intercept the enemy flagship, thereby allowing the rest of the British fleet to catch up and get into a fighting position.40 Nelson's action clearly broke standing orders that no ship was to leave the line of battle without permission from the senior admiral.41 Yet later, when Admiral Jervis’ flag captain pointed out Nelson's disobedience, Jervis responded, “If ever you commit such a breach…I will forgive you also.”42
At the Battle of Copenhagen (April 2, 1801), Nelson's “creative disobedience” reached its legendary apotheosis. When Admiral Hyde Parker, Nelson's senior commander, hoisted a signal flag calling for a general withdrawal, Nelson ignored Parker by putting his spyglass to his one blind eye and remarking, “I really do not see a signal!”43 In once more disobeying orders, Nelson achieved a stunning victory.
Nelson explained that he believed that the higher goal of defeating the French gave him permission to creatively disobey orders from superiors: