The Life of General Garibaldi: Translated from his private papers; with the history of his splendid exploits in Rome, Lombardy, Sicily and Naples, to the present time.Garibaldi, Giuseppe
History
The Life of General Garibaldi: Translated from his private papers; with the history of his splendid exploits in Rome, Lombardy, Sicily and Naples, to the present time.
Garibaldi, Giuseppe
Garibaldi, Giuseppe, 1807-1882
The Neapolitans extended in line, and attacked; but were repulsed on the
left and the centre. The two companies on the right were driven back,
when Garibaldi, being victorious in other parts, proceeded with the
reserve to the right, and the rout of the enemy was then completed. A
strong body of royal Swiss troops, in the pay of Bomba, was present. The
Republicans being destitute of cavalry, and the speedy arrival of night,
saved the wrecks of the troops of Bomba.
From Palestrina, Garibaldi returned to Rome.
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THE BATTLE OF VELLETRI.
A few days after, he again left Rome, with the Roman army, and was in
the vanguard, having under his orders the First Italian Legion, of
eleven hundred men; the Third of the line, eight hundred; fifty cavalry,
and two light guns.
At Valmontone he received advices that the Neapolitans were sending back
their baggage and heavy artillery, and he therefore concluded that they
were retreating, and pressed forward, sending notice to the principal
corps. At Monte Fortino he received more positive information, and
continued to advance with haste. About eight o'clock A. M. he was in
sight of Velletri, which was on the road, and two miles distant. He then
discovered the enemy's cavalry, in _échellon_, on the Appian Way, to
protect the retreat of their army, for which they were preparing. The
main body of the Neapolitan army was then at Velletri; and, as soon as
Garibaldi's corps was discovered by them, the Neapolitans moved to
attack it.
He drew up the Third of the line, in _échellon_, by companies, near the
road, which was among hills covered with vineyards, to protect his
retreat in case of necessity, and to act as a reserve in case the enemy
should attack. He placed the First Italian Legion on both sides of the
road, in the best position he could, and thus awaited the assault of the
enemy, leaving two companies in column in the road itself. The cavalry
and artillery he placed in positions adapted to be most serviceable.
The enemy attacked: but all their attempts were fruitless. They had many
killed, and were finally obliged to shut themselves up in the city, on
the defensive.
Garibaldi's corps alone was too weak to prevent the retreat of the
enemy, which was finally effected by night.
The principal corps of the Roman army, of seven thousand men, under
Roselli, arrived late, and tired with their march. An attempt, however,
was made to attack the city in front, by charging, at the head of the
First Roman Legion, with the battalion of artillery placed in a good
position upon the road. The Neapolitans sustained the positions of the
city, in which they remained the rest of the day. The Republicans took
positions, in order to renew the attack the next day: but in the morning
the Neapolitans retreated, and disappeared from Velletri.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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