The Death of Robert Manners at the Battle of the Saintes
Surgeon Robert Blair to the Duke of Rutland

23 May 1782

The Resolution sustained a severe fire from nine or ten of the French ships, in breaking through their line. Your Grace may guess my feelings when I saw Lord Robert brought down wounded, the first man. His behaviour on this, as on every other occasion, was heroism itself. A cannon shot had wounded both legs, and at the same instant he received a compound fracture of his right arm. The left leg was in such a state as to preclude all hopes of saving it, and accordingly I took it off immediately, at his own desire. It will scarcely be credited not only how undaunted he appeared but how perfectly he seemed to possess himself during an operation always dreadful, and in that situation particularly so, making jocular remarks on the operation with a smiling countenance, during its most painful steps.

It was probably owing to this composure and serenity of mind that the symptomatic fever was slight and soon over. He conversed with great cheerfulness with the officers who came to visit him and at one time talked seriously of remaining in the command as before. The same flattering appearances continued for a week. His wounds looked remarkably well, his appetite was good, and he passed his time in conversation, reading and hearing music. In short, being perfectly freed from the cares of the command, he declared that he never was easier or better in his life. I had cautioned his friends about indulging too sanguine hopes of his recovery. His Lordship perfectly knew that the chief danger - to which he was particularly liable from the uncommon irritability of his nerves - remained that of locked jaw and tetanus.

When the fatal symptoms appeared, he acquainted me of them with the utmost serenity and unconcern, said he thought it needless to take any medicines, and that he had entirely made up his mind to everything; this was his expression. He suffered himself, however, to be prevailed on, and fortunately the medicines necessary in the cure of this disease, if they fail, have the advantage of alleviating pain. He seemed at first to receive considerable benefit, but the symptoms soon recurred with redoubled violence, and swallowing, which had been very difficult, became impossible. His speech soon after for the first time became wild and incoherent, talking about the action and giving orders in the night; but next morning he was again sensible, and contiued so and free from pain, till his dissolution, which took place just as the sun passed the meridian, without a groan or the least sign of uneasiness.

Historical Manuscripts Commission. Manners-Rutland. p. 55.