The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-29 00:00:00

THE INVASION OF OALABRIA.

A letter from Messina, dated August 20, says :
More details have come to my knowledge concern-
ing Garibaldi's successful landing. It was at half-
past 10 o'clock p.m. that Garibaldi and Turr started
on board of the Franklin from Taormina. They
had on board about 1,200 men, the steamer Torino
following them close with 2,600 others on board.
The expedition sailed all night unmolested towards
the Calabrian coast, and at 2.20 a.m. entered the
small harbour of Melito, in Southern Calabria.
Garibaldi was of course on the deck of the Frank-
lin, and took the command of both ships. The
Torino, in the hurry of gaining a landing place,
ran aground, and the Franklin (which has just ar-
rived here with the intelligence I send you) tried
for six hours to get her off without success. No
opposition whatever was offered to Garibaldi, for
Melito was not occupied by Neapolitan troops, nor
was any Neapolitan vessel near at the time. The
landing of Garibaldi's men was effected in perfect
order, and the place was militarily occupied by
them. From what I heard on board of the Frank-
lin, Garibaldi intends to attack Reggio to-night
but all will depend upon Missori's movements and
upon the forces the enemy can summon to defend
that town.

Garibaldi's plans seem to me clear enough. Whilst
he marches on Reggio, Missori will proceed from
Aspromonte towards the seashore, across the
rough paths of the neighbouring mountains, and
take the forts of Scylla and Torre del Cavallo in
the rear. At the same time the divisions which are
still at the Faro will sail in the same direction, so
that the Neapolitan line of defence will be attacked
on both sides at once. Nor can this plan be
thwarted by the Neapolitan navy, for the " Queen
of England," I hear, will be ready for action this
evening, and her snug, including two 80• pounders,
will check any attempts of the enemy's ships.
The Franklin left Melito yesterday, at 11 a.m.,
under American colours, and on her way up to Mes-
sina was reconnoitred by the Fulminante and by
another Neapolitan man•of-war. Both those ves-
sels were cleared for- action, but after a short time
they thought better of it and steamed off in an
opposite direction. The Neapolitan garrison of the
citadel did not disturb our sleep last night. One
of its sentries, however, did his best to shoot an
English gentleman who was taking a row round
the port in a small boat. Fortunately, however,
the ball passed through the boat without injuring
either the boatmen or the gentleman. Whilst I
am writing drums are beating in all directions.
It is Medici's division making preparations for the
march. Medici will go to the Faro, and wait there
for further orders. What will be the attitude of
the Neapolitan commander of this citadel I cannot
tell. Some days ago he declared he would open
fire on Messina as soon as Garibaldi had set foot in
Calabria. Should he be foolish and inhuman
enough to keep his word, her Majesty's subjects
have nothing to fear. They are in good hands, for
we have in this port the Scylla, which is com-
manded by Captain Lambert, who, as I told you in
my former letters, is one of the most resolute and
distinguished officers of her Majesty's navy. You
may depend upon it he will know how to protect
his countrymen.

A letter from Naples, dated August 21, says :--
Every day brings us important news from the
provinces. We may now consider the Kingdom of
Naples to be thorOughly roused to welcome Gari-
baldi and get rid of the King. I learn from Po-
tenza, August 8 (Basilicata)—" This morning 400
gendarmes, under the command of Captain Cas-
tagna, were drawn up in the piazza at Potenza.
An assembled multitude called upon them to cry
'Viva Garibaldi !' Viva l'unita Italiana!' Some
of the men responded to the demands of the mob,
when Captain Castagna commanded his men to
shout Viva it Re !" Abbasso la Constitutione !'
at the same time ordering them to fire on the
people and the national guard, then gathered to-
gether evidently to make a Garibaldi demonstration.
Eventually a conflict took place, and ere long the
gendarmes were compelled to retire, leaving on the
ground seven killed and some wounded, whilst 15
remained prisoners in the hands of the national
guard." On the 18th orders were sent to Salerno,
commanding the Gth Infantry Regiment to proceed
immediately to Calabria, via Cilento. At Foggia
(Puglia) the troops have fraternised with the people,
and refused to obey the orders of the commanding
officer, General Floras. At Bari, on the other
hand, the 13th of the line got up, a few days since,
reactionary demonstrations. At Potenza, since
the arrival of the first news given above, a
provisional Government has been established. From
the Abruzzi and other provinces we hear of revolu-
tionary acts, and the gathering together of armed
men. Government here is sending off troops in all
directions, although the King is reported to be op-
posed to such tactics, he desiring to maintain a very
large force immediately round the city of Naples.
We hear Reggio has fallen into the hands of the
Garibaldi forces, but Government people say this
report is false. People coming from Calabria assert
that a number of patriots have landed within the
last week at Capo dell'Armi. No less than eight
embarkations of Garibaldians have been reported
to the Government. All these events add to the
confusion—the King suspecting the Ministry, the
Ministry doubting the King. We believe here Gari-
baldi is at the head of 8,000 or 10,000 men, and will
fight his way up to Naples from Reggio. Here, in
Naples, I think we shall remain quiet to the last.
Nearly all the nobles have flsd, mostly for Paris,
and dozens have abandoned the city for the coun-
try, taking with them their valuables. I must say
the natives of the city (the higher classes) are not
very patriotic or brave, and do not deserve the
sacrifice Italy is making for them. They are mostly
a set of cowards, only fit for the tyranny of a Fer•
dinand and a Francis.

I must now give you a circular of the " Unita-
rian Committee," published this morning :
" Head-quarters, Coleto, Aug. 17.
"The revolutionary movement begins to-day at
Coleto. To-morrow 5,000 or 6,000 men, besides
those who will join them on the road, will march
to this place. In all directions the people are
animated with the very best spirit. I have pub-
lished :-1. A proclamation announcing the cause
of the revolution. 2. An address to the army. 3.
An order of the day for the popular forces. I have
formed a staff, organised head-quarters, and taken
measures to resist any force that can be brought
against us. In Potenza, a Provisional Government
will be formed, and the first act will be to proclaim
the annexation of the Two Sicilies to the dominions
of King Victor Emmanuel. This is entirely ap-
proved by General Garibaldi.
(Signed) " THE SECRETARY OF THE UNI-
TARIAN COMMITTEE."

A second circular of the same committee says :
" Potenza, Aug. 18.—The capital of this province
is now in our hands. The Provisional Govern.
ment is working." Finally, I get a letter from
Salerno, dated Aug. 20, thus worded :—" The Gth
of the line having been ordered to march towards
Potenza, after they got a little way out of the city,
shouted 'Long live Victor Emmanuel !" Long live
Garibaldi!' A similar scene took place at Foggia."
It is quite evident, therefore, that the King must
not depend on his army entirely. There may be
corps still loyal, but on the other hand it is quite
evident the fidelity of the troops is shaken; and we
may expect to find at least a majority fraternising
with the popular cause. The telegraph any moment
may bring you important news. Naples still re-
mains under military law. There are several
vessels of war s,tillin the Bay.