MONTE DEL PIANTO DEI ROMANI.

31

pared his forces for an attack on that town the following day, before any further reinforcements could be sent up from Alcamo.

The Neapolitan General, Landi, however, advanced to dispute the mountain pass close to Vita, called "Monte del pianto dei Romani." In his force, consisting of four battalions, he had one of rifles, and four well-equipped mountain howitzers. The road, or rather track, here for it is hardly worthy of that name -passes over a succession of hills, culminating in the one before-mentioned, offering a series of separate defences.

Garibaldi's force, on the other hand, amounted to 1005 Cacciatori to do the fighting, and nearly 1200 Squadri to do the noise. Shortly after midnight, the Garibaldians advanced, and joined the advance guard about 8 A.M., who were then pushed on, and found the Neapolitans in a well-selected position a scant mile out of the town. At ten o'clock on the 15th the action commenced which was to decide not only the fate of the expedition but of Southern Italy. Seeing that the Neapolitans were about to attack, Garibaldi seized a range of hills just outside Vita, and planted his guns so as to command the approach by the road. Their fire checked the advance of the cavalry, but the infantry came on steadily and endeavoured to carry the Garibaldian position. Foiled in this attempt, Gari

22

32

BATTLE OF CALATAFIMI.

baldi in his turn attacked. The Squadri were sent round on either side to outflank the Neapolitans, whilst the Cacciatori took them right in front, where they met a very tough resistance, and were many times repulsed, losing Garibaldi's flag, worked for him by the ladies of Monte Video. Many men had fallen already; the Genoese carbinieri attached to the 7th company especially suffered severely, losing their leaders. They were the enfants perdu of the expedition, and had been sent ahead to clear the way. Stocco, the Calabrian patriot, young Manin, and Menotti, Garibaldi's son, were also amongst the wounded.

Knowing that everything depended on the prestige of the first battle-in fact, the probable success of the expedition-Garibaldi, ever foremost, renewed and renewed his attacks; and as there was no flinching on the part of the Cacciatori, and the Neapolitans became frightened at the numbers of the Sicilians, who were working right round in their rear, they fell back after three hours' hard fighting, and abandoned the position, leaving one gun, 6 prisoners, 36 killed, and 148 wounded on the field, and made a precipitate retreat on Calatafimi, throwing away arms and accoutrements to facilitate their flight. This was not accomplished without a loss of 200 men on the part of the Garibaldians, the Genoese carbineers losing 9 out of 34. During the night the Neapolitans evacuated the town,

GARIBALDI'S BULLETIN.

33333

taking the road to Alcamo, leaving their wounded behind. On the morning of the 16th, Garibaldi occupied Calatafimi, and issued the following proclamation:

"Soldiers of Italian liberty,-With companions like you I can attempt anything, and a proof of it is that I have led you to an enterprise very arduous, both on account of the numbers and of the strong positions of your enemies. I counted on your fatal bayonets, and I have not been deceived. Deploring the hard necessity of being compelled to fight against Italian soldiers, we must confess that we found a resistance worthy of men belonging to a better cause; and this proves of how much we shall be capable on the day on which the Italian family shall be serried together around the glorious banner of redemption. To-morrow the Italian continent will rejoice for the victory of her free sons and our brave Sicilians. Your mothers and your lovers, proud of you, will go forth into the highways with lofty and radiant brows. The battle cost us the lives of dear brothers, who have fallen in the front ranks; those martyrs of the Italian cause shall be recorded in the Fasti of Italian glories.

"I will send forth to your country the names of the brave soldiers, young and inexperienced, who so valiantly conducted themselves in the fight, and who to-morrow will lead to victory, on a yet wider field of battle, soldiers who are to break the last links of the chains with which our dearest Italy is bound.

"CALATAFIMI, May 16."

"GUISEPPE GARIBALDI.

In the town, the following letter was found from Landi, addressed to Salzano at Palermo, begging for reinforcements :

с

34

DESPATCH OF NEAPOLITAN GENERAL.

"(Most urgent.)

“ CALATAFIMI, May 15.

"Excellency,-Help-prompt help! The armed bands which left Salemi this morning have covered all the hills to the south and south-west of Calatafimi. One-half of my column advanced within range and attacked the rebels, who poured out in thousands from every point. The firing was well sustained, but. masses of Sicilians united with the Italian bands are in immense numbers. We have killed the great Commander of the Italian Free Bands, and have taken their flag, which we have with us. Unfortunately a piece of artillery fell from the back of a mule which was shot, and remained in the hands of the rebels; this pierces my soul with grief. My column was obliged, under a retreating fire, to fall back on Calatafimi, where I am on the defensive, as the rebels in great numbers make a show of attacking us. I, therefore, beg your Excellency instantly to send off a strong reinforcement of infantry, and at least another half battery, as the masses are numerous and obstinately bent on fighting. I fear to be assaulted in the position which I occupy. I will defend myself as long as possible, but if most prompt assistance be not sent, I must confess I do not know where the affair will end. The ammunition of the artillery is almost finished; that of the infantry considerably diminished. I have 62 wounded. I cannot at this moment give an exact number of dead, as I am writing immediately after the retreat. I submit to your Excellency that, if circumstances compel me, I shall retreat on Alcamo. My column is surrounded by enemies, who have assaulted the mills, and taken the flour prepared for the troops. The column fought, with brisk firing, from 10 a.m. until 5 P.M., when I made my retreat.

"The General in Command, Marshal LANDI."

Though dearly purchased, the deed was done. The