Charles Philip Yorke, Fourth Earl of Hardwicke, Vice-Admiral R.N. — a MemoirBiddulph, Elizabeth Philippa, Baroness
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Charles Philip Yorke, Fourth Earl of Hardwicke, Vice-Admiral R.N. — a Memoir
Biddulph, Elizabeth Philippa, Baroness
Hardwicke, Charles Philip Yorke, Earl of, 1799-1873
'On going into the presence of the General I drew aside and sat on a
bed, whilst the deputation urged their claims, and as in Italy
everybody is eager and full of gesticulation, the noise and confusion
was tremendous. I had not seen this for we were treating under fire and
all were silent, those who had the best nerves were the speakers. If
you want to make peace treat under fire; for me it will become a maxim.
However after about two hours' wrangle, the General came up to me and
said, "Are you not 'accord' with me? that you do not speak," so much
had I gained of his mind that he would not act without me. In short I
may now say, the 48 hours were granted. The deputation went to Turin,
they got 48 hours more, and the city was surrendered on my treaty, the
King granting an amnesty to all but twelve persons named, and they had
been allowed to escape.
'During all this time a severe engagement had been carried on at the
advanced posts. The Doria Palace had been taken by the King's troops
the evening before. Batteries had been erected against it by the rebels
and the contest was most fierce, all the morning batteries were firing
on both sides with high guns. An attack by escalade was preparing
against Fort Bogota, a sally had been made from it to destroy La
Marmora's works, more troops were coming up, and occupying ground on
the east side of the town. My business now was to exert myself to make
the fire to cease on all sides.
'My love, I must leave my narrative for another letter, I find it takes
more time even to relate it shortly than I thought. I must write my
despatch to the Admiral and write to you a short note.
'H.
'Excuse faults, I've no time to read it over.'
* * * * *
GENOA: April 27, 1849.
'MY DEAREST S.,
'I have so long neglected to pursue the narrative of events at this
place, that I fear you will think I had forgotten both you and it, but
in truth since the troubles have ceased, I have been so well employed
in writing and disciplining this ship, this each day takes me till 1
P.M., that I have not found the days too long. But now I am out of the
port, for I weighed this morning with _Prince Regent_ for a little
exercise, I shall finish this short narrative of past events.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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