The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-13 00:00:00

THE WAR IN ITALY.

(mom ova SPECIAL COERISPONDENT WITH THE ITALIAN
ARMY.)

REOGIOLO, JLLT 9.

Torre Malamberti, though still the general head-
quarters, has ceased to be the centre of action, so
I have proceeded with all possible haste towards
what has, by the latest movements, become
the fittest place for cbservation. Reggiolo is a
small borough about thirty miles from Torre
Malamberti, and eighteen in a straight line
south of Mantua. About six miles to the left
of Reggiolo is Guastalla, where the Po turns sud-
denly to the north, describing a great curve
or half circle, which ends only at Occhiobello,
where the river again runs due east to its mouth.
As you know by this time, Cialdini has crossed the
Po, with the whole of his army, namely 100,000
men, and 160 guns. The passage was effected in
different places somewhere between Stellata and
Punts Lagascuro, without any resistance whatever
from the enemy, who, on the other hand, being per-
haps aware of this movement, has in all haste sent
about 40,000 men to Rovigo.

As to the affair of Borfoforte, it seems to have
been only a feint. Carini's and other brigades
composing General Nunziante's division, were
posted around Saletto, Motteggiana, Bocca di
Ganda and Rocchetta forming the tote de pont,
and were supported in their immediate front
by eighteen field and twenty-four 40-pounders,
besides others which were put in position subse-
quently. The fire, though interrupted at times in
obedience to orders, was effective, especially on the
Italian left, which was more protected than the
right, and the Rocchetta fort was dismantled and
the Bocce di Ganda silenced. In the Rocchetta work
a powder magazine exploded, either accidentally
or through the enemy's fire.
While driving here this morning very early I
passed the first army corps, and met the staff of
; General Pianell, who has superseded Durando, and
who was fixing his headquarters at San Giovanni
lin Croce. It is said that Cialdini has requested
the other corps commanders not to alarm the
enemy by too many movements. As you see, then,
everything indicates action on the part of the ILI-
' lians, who in this way answer Napoleon's proposal.
This course seems to have given great satisfaction
I to the country, and now that war is again decided
upon, the only demand is for more capability on
the part of the generals. All the officers one meets
marching by the side of battalions and regiments
appear to breathe snore freely, and as to the sol-
diers, they sing and laugh as if they were at a
village dance. _ _

Both at the bivouac fire and in the towns all are
pleased with the belief that the prestige of the nation
has been maintained and her position asserted.
If Italy has a right to declare and wage war, she must
surely have that of making and concluding peace.
Venetia ceded to France, with an acknowledgment
of such cession by Italy, meant a denial of her
right to act alone in questions affecting the
nation's interests. The very existence, both ma-
terial and moral, of Italy is doubted when such a
thing is denied. If Venetia is to be ceded to France,
and she is to cede it in turn to Italy, she might
on some future occasion think of claiming it again,
or of denying Italy's right to it. Venetia belongs
to the Italian fatherland. Austria must re-
cognise this fact—must recognise that Italy and
that a King of Italy exist. It is high time that
Austrian diplomacy should leave off ignoring them
both, and leave it off now and for ever.
It is to be supposed that Cialdini haring once oc-
cupied strong positions in Venetia, the other corps
will strive to keep near at hand, su as to avoid the
mistake of the 24th.