The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-18 00:00:00

MESSINA, AUG. 11.
To give you an idea of the enthusiasm that
Garibaldi's name awakens in men of every nation
and condition, I must tell you that the desertions
khongst the men-of-war lying in this harbour in-
crease every day. Your blue jackets are of course
Of the number. Sons of a liberal and generous
nation, they cannot help coming to give a lift to
Garibaldi's army. Yesterday evening, at half-
Past seven, whilst the first lieutenant was on deck
of her Majesty's ship Scylla, to see the hammocks
sent below, four mes jumped down into the captain's
gig unobserved except by the sentry, who thought
they were going on shore to fetch the captain, and
pulled to the pier. All the boats were at the time
hoisted except the gig and the launch. Two or
three minutes after the sentry had observed the gig,
the first lieutenant gave the order to hook her on,
When it was found that she was missing. On
inquiry it was discovered that the boat was seen
Pulling ashore, and then it flashed across the first-
lieutenant's mind that the men in the gig had de-
serted. The launch was instantly manned and
Pulled towards the. landing-place, where the gig
Was found minus the men. An escort of marines
Was immediately sent on shore to apprehend the
deserters who, after an hour of fruitless search,
Were not to be found. The Commander of the
Scylla waited on Garibaldi this morning, but, if I
4rt correctly informed, he was told that as all the
deserters from foreign ships enlist themselves under
the assumed name of Brown or Smith, it was im-
Possible for him to send the missing men on board.
In this ingenious manner 26 sailors of her Majesty's
ship Amphion deserted at Palermo, and the Sar-
dinian frigate Maria Adelaide lost at least double
the number. I am not going to justify the desertion
of these fellows, but when I remember they neglect
their duty and risk their lives for the sacred cause
of liberty, I cannot help excusing them. The
katter, I am sure, will be looked upon in the same
Point of view by your countrymen at home.
Nothing of importance has occurred to-day.
Garibaldi is always at the Faro, busily engaged in
manning vessels and boats, collecting troops, and
erecting new batteries. Major Missori's squadre
have been greatly increased, and it is stated that it
ilzambers already 1,500 good fighting men. This
evening we saw large fires lit up on the ridges
Which are above the forts of Scylla and Del Cavallo,
and over the villages of Villa San Giovanni and
Gallico. They are signals that Missori makes to
the General from the Calabrian side of the strait.
To-morrow the packet starts for England, and I
shall not fail to add a postscript to my letter if
there is any news of consequence.

AUGUST 12, MORNING.
An attack on the fort of Scylla was probably
Made last night by Missori's party, which now
numbers 2,000 men, for about 10.30 a brisk firing
Was heard in that direction, and it lasted till 1.45.
The heavy boom of artillery and the rattle of mus-
ketry were distinctly heard through the stillness of
a splendid moonlight night. At the first shot heard,
the alarm trumpet sounded from the citadel, but no
bombardment has yet taken place. When the ac-
tion began on the extreme point of the Gulf at Fort
Scylla, the Neapolitan cruisers fired rockets evert'
moment, steaming up and down the gulf. They
did not, however, fire against Garibaldi's batteries
of Faro Point, or on the boats, which I hear were
conveying more armed expeditions to the Calabrian
coast. It is stated that the landing of those expe-
ditions, protected by the darkness of the evening—
the moon did not rise till half-past 12 o'clock—was
Successfully effected at three different points of the
opposite coast. What is certain is that as soon as
the sun set bonfires were distinctly seen all along
the ridges above the Calabrian villages of Villa San
Giovanni and Gallico. No doubt those fires were
lighted either by Missori's party or by the Cala-
brian squadre, which has hoisted the flag of the na-
tional cause. If Missori has succeeded in capturing
the fort of Scylla Garibaldi will be able to master
the strait, and the landing of the whole of his army
can be accomplished in comparative safety.
Whether
this is the case I shall be able to tell you in my
next letter.

It is understood
•that engagements are being
entered into by the Spanish Government for the construe•
tion in this country of eight first-class war steamers, which
are expected to cost little less than £200,000 each.
Spanish Government are also in the English marketie Tforthhe
Purchase of several thousand loads of oak timber,
con-
tracts for which stipulate for the deposit of £17,00h
0 caution
money. Spain has abundance of oak in her own forests,
Which stated to be inaccessible from want of roads, but ft
18 a remarkable circumstance that while she is m
Purchases in our markets the English Admiralty are re-
Ported to have sent surveyors to ascertain what can- be ob-
tained from these sources.
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