The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-04 00:00:00

operation.

LOMBARDT.—We have at last received official in-
telligence of Radetaky and of the troops which follow
him. After having stopped some time at Lodi, where
he levied on the inhabitants a contribution 0i30,000
livres, he left that town when the news reached him
that the Piedmontese had made their entry into
Pavia, and went to Crema, where ho issued the
proclamation which we have already published.
The menacing language of this proclamation would
be odious were Radetskt still master of Milan, Ve-
nice, Mantua, Cremona, of all Lombardy ; but now,
that he is surrounded on all sides, it is but ridiculous.
From Creme, where he remained but for a short
space of time, the Austrian general went to Souci
Novi, where the two sons of the viceroy reside for
the present, as well as Prince Schwartzenberg. A
report had been spread that Radetski intended to
attempt a return to Brescia, but has not been con-
firmed ; and it appears certain that Radetski is deter-
mined to form his line of operations along the Adige,
between Verona and Mantua. But when be adopted
this resolution, there is every reason to believe he
was unacquainted with the insurrection of Mantua,
and this new and fortunate incident of the Lombardo
struggle may seriously derange his plan of operations.
We must also add that discipline is far from being
to be depended on in an army subjected to such
trials; some regiments have already either remained
inoffensive, or have gone over to the people. But a
very short time since, two regiments at Cremona
dismissed their officers, chose others by the medium
of an election, and then joined the insurgents.
Those are real motives of non-success; however,
we must acknowledge that Radetski may very probs.-
bly assemble forces enough to engage a decisive battle.
The troops he will be able to command in a few days
are estimated at 50,000 strong, divided nearly in
the following manner: 14,000 men of the late garrison
of Milan, headed by Radetski ; from 15,000 to 16,000
forming the body commanded by the viceroy, and
quartered in the environs of Verona, where the field-
marshal intends to join them; about 10,000 men of
the garrisons sent by Austria, now in the duchies of
Modena and Parma, and who have again passed the
Po, to re-enter Lombardy ; and finally, about as many
more, of the garrisons of Mantua and other town',
which the Austrians are in the hopes of rallying.
This army is, beyond a doubt, much demoralised ;
but it is, however, composed of good troops,
which, being united and ably commanded, and
having to avenge so many recent defeats, may make
an attempt which would prove dangerous, not for
the independence of Lombardy, which we consider
to be fully acquired, and which is constantly strength-
ened by new adhesions, but dangerous by the loss of
blood it would occasion, and which Sardinia mat
prevent, no matter at what price.
Charles Albeit was tardy in his intervention.
lie allowed Milan, given up to all the fury of the
Austrian, to recover her liberty alone ; he must now
hasten, if he wishes not to compromise his owa situ-
ation in Italy. It is true that the troops of Pied-
mont entered Lombardy, Milan, and Pavia almost at
the same time, but their movements are slow, and
they do not present a sufficient quantity of forces. As
yet he has only 25,000 men on foot, and they are not
yet masters of a good line of operations. It is not
by this march, which is rather timid, that Charles
Albert will secure to himself any very. great title to
the gratitude of the Milanese. The intervention is
a fact accomplished, and Lombardy receives it
with eagerness; the duty of the King of Sar-
dinia is at present to hasten its results. The
Milanese, by their activity, by their devotedness
to the common cause—the independence of Italy—set
him a noble example. They at once organise their
troops, and embarrass the retreat of the Austrians.
In the plains of the Milanez, the peasants have
opened the dykes of their canalt;, and inundated their
fields, which rende: the conveyance of war materials
exceedingly difficult ; and, consequently, even if the
men sea continue their march, there is every Yrs-