Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-06-07 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES, TUESDAY, JUNE 7 1859

All the people with whom I spoke here agree in representing
the Austrians very low spirited, which is by no means
improbable after a retreat. In Novara, they were encamped
at the Porta Milano, and not at that of Trino. Their
retreat was very sudden. At dawn they showed no signs
of any movement, and by six o'clock they were off.
Whether they heard of the approach of the allies, who
entered the town a few hours after they had left it, or
whether they received orders from their superiors to go, I
cannot tell. Of course the real truth about the behaviour
of the Austrians in Piedmont will only be brought to light
when it will be possible to see the country where they have
been in force ; and I must say one has misgivings if one
hears of the strange appetite with which the small detach-
ments in these parts were afflicted, for if the gross of the
army has fed at the same rate, then there is neither cattle,
nor grain, nor anything else remaining in the Lomellina.
The people here will be rather astonished at the difference
in this respect with the allies, who pay. for everything they
take, and far more than the current prices. Wherever the
troops have passed through they left a great deal or money,
and I am afraid patriotism does not prevent people from
exacting rather twice the value of a thing than its fair
price. It is, as in every war, the harvest of the contractors.
The mail is expected to leave every moment, if it leaves at
all ; so more another day.

PALESTRO, June I.—You will have read the bulletins of
the two successful engagements with which the Sardinians
began their movement in advance yesterday and the day
before, and it will be, perhaps, interesting to you to hear
something of the details of those two brilliant affairs with
which the Sardinians have opened their offensive. Allough
in:grandeur these two combats were scarcely up to the idea
of a battle, yet in brilliancy they quite equal the fight at
Montebello, and certainly surpass it in their result. You
will remember that in proportion as the Austrians began
their retrograde movement from the Dora, in sight of which
their outposts and patrols had been at one time, the Sar-
dinian army occupied the position which they had quitted.
At the Sesia a considerable river which runs at almost right
angles into the Po by Frassinetto, the Austrians took up a
position, and fortified themselves on all more accessible
points, as if determined to make a resistance on that line.
This line, although by no means one of those impregnable
positions in which a small number of men can arrest the
progress of armies, offers, nevertheless, like all the rivers
which run into the Po, considerable advantages to the
defenders. Like all the rivers in Upper Italy, it runs in a
broad bed, intersected by little islands and shoals, while its
borders are thickly planted with trees, which afford consider-
able shelter. At Vercelli the high road to Novara and another
to Mortara cross the Sesia' as wellas the railway both to the
lakes and to Lombardy._ The passage at Vercelli opens thus
the high road of communication to both countries, and is,
therefore, of no small importance to both parties in a coun-
try so intersected with dykes and ditches, necessary for irri-
gation, as the plains of Upper Italy are. The Austrians,
when they retired from Vercelli, destroyed the only bridge
which served both for the high road and the railway, one
side beink reserved for the former, and the other for the
latter. The great variations in the height of the river, in
consequence of the late rains, foiled (for some time) their
efforts,, as the chambers were twice under water, but the
river having again subsided with the same rapidity as it had
increased, they effected at last their purpose, and blew up
the two middle arches, breaking off thus the most important
line of communication with Novara and the Lomellina.
About ten days ago, as you know, the Division Cialdini was
ordered to effect a passage, and establish itself on the other
side. The movement was successful, and the division estab-
lished itself in Borgo Vercelli, the first village of some im-
portance on the other side, about two miles from the Sesia,
on the high road to Novara. Ever since then the division
stopped there without being the least disturbed by the
Austrians, who are posted in the neighbouring vil-

lames. The day before yesterday, the anniversary of
the passage of the Sardinians of Goito, in 1847, was
chosen to dislodge them from their positions on the
road of Mortara. From the high road to Novara
two main roads branch off to the right at the distance of
about a mile from each other, the first a little beyond the
village of Molino, and the second from the village of Borgo
Vercelli. Both of these run parallel to each other in a
south-easterly direction, until they unite with each other at
Robbie, about ten miles from their starting point. About
two miles from this latter, and about the same height, are
the two villages of Palestro and Vinzaglio, which were
occupied and barricaded by the Austrian avante garde, con-
sisting. of 1,500 men in each village, and half a battery.
As at the passage of the Sesia, the King himself superin-
tended the movement by which the Austrians were driven
from their position. The Division Cialdini was divided,
and one column advanced towards Palestro, while the other
simultaneously moved towards Vinzaglio. When the right
column approached Palestro, a section of artillery of the
16th battery was advanced, and began to shell the place,
while a battalion of Bersaglieri I believe the 10th, and a
battalion of the 15th of the Line, were sent to the right
by one of the by-ways and across the fields, to try and
penetrate towards the left of the village. Almost at the
same time when this column was coming to the first houses
the artillery had shaken the defenders of the front line. As
soon as this was observed, another battalion of the 15th of
the Line advanced, and this double movement was sufficient
to clear the place of the Austrians, who retired behind the
churchyard beyond the village, which occupies a considerable
space of ground, and is surrounded by a high wall. They
placed at the same time several guns on the main road
beyond the village, and on the same line with the church-
yard, in order to use them against the Sardinians, should
they attempt to dehouch from the village. The church is
about the middle of the town, on the high road, which
makes a bend just at that place, so that as soon- as the
Austrians were driven out of the village the troops were
quite protected from the guns which the enemy had placed
on the high road beyond the village. In order to silence
these guns a section of position guns was brought up just
at the corner of the church ; but the Austrians seem to have
had their good distance, for in a moment the position guns
were dismounted. Nothing daunted by this, another
section of the 16th battery was brought up immediately,
which soon silenced the enemy's fire. As soon as this was
done the Austrians retreated, and the Piedmontese were in
possession of the village and a considerable number of
prisoners. The village of Vinzaglio, although more
formidable even by its position, and more calculated for
defence, offered less resistance, and was likewise taken at
the point of the bayonet, very little powder being wasted
for the purpose. In point of time the Austrians evacuated
Vinzaglio some time before they were driven out of Palestro,
for the Piedmontese had scarcely succeeded in dislodging

the Austrians from the churchyard, when on the by-ioad-
which leads from Vinzaglio to Palestro, two Austrian guns,
with their escort, came towards this latter village. Probably
they thought that Palestro was still held by their com-
panions, whom they wished to rejoin. As soon as the
two guns were perceived on the road a detachment was sent
from Palestro to take them, which was effected without any
difficulty, as the drivers cut the traces and left the guns to
their fate. These are the first two guns which were taken

eyeful

ent the same
lini took up their
The same evening

to Vercelli.

during the war. They wet
le Division Cu
for that evcnine

;invent of Zouaves, the same which was in
the Crimea during the Russian war. This regiment has
been attached by the Emperor to the King of Sardinia.
Thus ended the anniversary of the battle of Goito. The
next morning, about 9 o'clock, the Austrians were seen

arrived the 3rd

advancing force, seemingly to retake the position of
Palestro, which they had lost the day before. Although
the campanile of the village is tolerably high, owing to the
nature of the country, which I described above, their approach
could not be seen until they were quite close, still less could
their plan be discovered. The country beyond the village
lay corn land, as before it the rice fields predominate ;
umd is less studded with trees in the neighbourhood,
ently more favourable for the formation of a line of
The Cannonade of the Austrians against the village
l for some time before their real plan became
apparent, for all at once a large body of infantry, with two
batteries, showed themselves to the Piedmontese right on
the banks of the little canalised stream which I mentioned
before. It was plain •that the intention of the Austrians

off from the Sesia the

advanced troops of the Piedmontese. As soon as this was
perceived, while the gross of the Piedmontese attacked the
Austrians from the village, the regiment of Zouaves, which
occupied the extreme right, a battalion of the 9th, and
another of the 18th Piedmontese of the line, received orders
to advance. Animated by a brotherly emulation, this gallant
body of men rushed up to the position which the Austrians
had taken up to their right, and, in spite of a formidable
fire of grape shot which received them, they threw themselves

with magmficent dash on the Austrran guns. They had about
400 yards to cross under the murderous fire of the enemy,

but did not abate their
ardour, for, after the first discharge, they took to the bayonet,
and their advance was so rapid that the Tyrolese chasseurs,
who were thrown out in skirmishing line before the guns,
had no time to retire, but had to rush back pell-mell among
the Piedmontese and the Zouaves. Eight guns, and a large
number of prisoners, were the result of this brilliant attack ;
five of the guns were taken by Zouaves, and three by the
Piedmontese. But the rush was made so simultaneously
that it is impossible to say which took which gun. Besides
these eight guns, 800 or 900 prisoners and wounded fell into
the hands of the allies. The dead are in proportion. The
first care was naturally for the wounded, and it is but
justice to say the Austrians whose fate it was to be wounded

ned indeed their ranks;

and to fall into the hands of the allies cannot complain of
their treatment. This will produce so much the more effect
on these poor people, as it seems the idea has been spread
among them that the allies were capable of doing anything
to their prisoners. At any rate, at Voghera, an Austrian
soldier, wounded in the abdomen and in the head, concealed
himself for four days in a cellar without eating or drinking,
and used his handkerchief for dressing his wounds. You
may see how serious the fight was from the number of
wounded which have come in since yesterday, and are still
all along the road from this to Vercelli. This is the shady
side of war. The poor fellows bear up very bravely with
their fate, but it is impossible to see those pale faces, torn
limbs, and bloodstained linen, or to hear the involuntary
sigh without conjuring up the joyous, round faces of your
Peace Party before oneself. The Piedmontese have im-
pressed a number of ambulance carts,—the two-wheeled
carts of the country, drawn by oxen, which have been
provided with benches.

THE AUSTRIAN ARMY

IN PIEDMONT.

FROM THE " TIMES" CORRESPONDENT.
AUSTRIAN HEAD-QUARTERS, GARLASCO, May

General Garibaldi is still in Lombardy, but Urban is on
his track. The Piedmontese General crossed the Ticino
at Sesto Calende, arid did not, as was at first suspected,
go through Swiss territory. The country north of Novara
to the shores of the Lago Maggiore, is being scoured by
strong patrols, and the first corps, about 30,000 strong, is
expected to arrive at Verona to-morrow or next day from
Bohemia, so Garibaldi's people will have some difficulty in
escaping from their present position between the Lakes
Como "and Maggiore, and they have no chance of inducing
either Milan or any other considerable town to revolt. The
attempt to do so is cruel ; were it successful, the
result would be to weaken the Austrian army
by not even 10,000 men,. for General Urban's corps
is already told off for the purpose of keeping order,
and to render absolutely necessary a severe chastise-
ment. Count Gyulai has issued a proclamation to
the cities of Lombardy, pointing out to them clearly the wish
of the Piedmontese General that they should revolt, and
begging them seriously to calculate the chances of success
before trying this game. He adds that he will punish any
treason with "fire and sword." The allies have made no
serious attack yet, and, as the snow has begun to melt on
the mountains, the rivers are swelling rapidly. It will,
therefore, be much more difficult to force the passage of the
Po, or even of the Sesia, with a large army now, and also
more dangerous to do so, a deep river in the rear not being
pleasant. However, for miles along the Po, a perpetual
hammering is kept up, perhaps to conceal some real bridge-
making, partly to throw the Austrians off their guard. The
French have their advanced posts along the southern bank
of the Po from Sale to the eastward ; they, of course, behave
like soldiers, and do not fire at Austrian sentries. To the
westward of Sale a continual fire is kept up on the Austrian
videttes, probably by some of the new levies, who do not
yet know the usages of war.

FRANCE.

PARIS, Sunday.—A very laconic but expressive telegram,
dated half-past eleven o'cloek last night, at Pont de
Magenta, was received here during the night or early this
morning. It is given in a supplement to the lfonite,ur,
and simply says. :--
" A great victory :-5,000 prisoners ; 15,000 of the
enemy killed or wounded. The details soon."
_

Ali/other despatch adds, I am told, that the victory was
dearly purchased, and these words would imply a great
loss an the side of the victors, though nothing is said on
this point. A despatch received on Friday night stated
that the French, to the number of 100,000, were about to
cross the Ticino, probably at Buffalora ; and that, unless
the Austrians refused, a great battle was imminent. That
they did not refuse "appears from what is just announced.
Every one remarks the comparatively enormous amount of
the killed and wounded, as given in the despatch, as well as
the remarkable disproportion between the prisoners and the
casualties by death or wounds. If they be correctly reported
the carnage must have been terrible. What it was on the
side of the allies we are not informed ; something
is whispered of from 7,000 to 8,000 men. It is said that
the Austrians had 150,000 men engaged. Magenta, where
the battle was fought, is about half-way between Novara
and Milan ; it is the first stage towards the latter place after
Buffalora ; the population is about 6,000 souls. This
victory lays open the capital of Lombardy, which probably
the allies have entered by this. Another despatch, received
this morning announces that the King of Sardinia was last
night at Magenta. Further intelligence is confidently
expected from one moment to the other, announcing that
the French head-quarters are at Milan—perhaps after a
second battle. Confidence is somewhat restored in
commercial circles, and business is more animated.
The declaration of neutrality so universally pronounced
at the public meetings held in England has tended much
to this favourable change. The late successes of the
allies in Italy, moreover, encourage the hope that the war
will not be of long duration, and that after one general en-
gagement the belligerents will be the more willing to listen
to the advice of the neutral Powers. It is said that two of
the most influential of the neutral powers have agreed on
proposing an arrangement after the first great battle, and,
if necessary, insisting on the adoption of it by the three
belligerents, on the following principle : —l. The accom-
plished fact, that is the territory gained by the victorious
party, shall be accepted by all the European Powers as
the basis of a Congress. 2. The entrance of the French
into Milan, supported by a popular manifestation,
shall be considered by the European Powers as a convincing
proof of the reprobation of the policy pursued in Italy by
the Austrian cabinet. 3. The neutral Powers will insist on
an armist;ce while a Congress is assembled. 4. The exten-
sion of the kingdom of Sardinia will be deemed essential,
and the Duchies of Parma and Modena, with the fortress of
Piacenza, are to be added to it. 5. It will be proposed to
form the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom into a state distinct
from the Austrian empire, but governed by an Austrian
Archduke. Such are the ideas afloat in the more elevated
commercial circles, and which have tended to allay the
panic produced by the declaration of war against Austria.