The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-28 00:00:00

THE BATTLE OF BEZZICCA.

(Front the Correspondent of the Morning Herald.)
TR1.4.N0 DE SOPRA, July 21.
All day long a fierce struggle has been raging,
and with varying success, from five o'clock this
morning until four this afternoon, the roar of ar-
tillery, and the incessant rattle of musketry, have
never ceased. Yesterday the sth Regiment moved
forward from Storo, and a portion of the 9th, under
Menotti Garibaldi, its colonel, with about 2,000 men
of the 2d Regiment and a battalion of the Bersag-
lieri, also went on through Ampola to this town.
Garibaldi, with his staff, left this morning at four,
and about half an hour afterwards your correspon-
dent followed, as there was a rumour that fighting
on a considerable scale was expected. Two pieces
of artillery had also gone on the day before. Soon
after passing Ampola Fort I reached the head of
the Ampola valley, from which point the water
flows eastward into the Lago di Garda. The valley
widens, and despite its height above the sea level is
richly cultivated. It is called the valley of Ledro,
from the name of a lake some five miles beyond this

town. We had scarcely commenced our descent
when we heard the distant boom of guns, and in
a mile or two could distinguish a steady continued
rattle of musketry. It was evident that a serious
affair had begun. We quickened the pace, and pre-
sently met an artillery officer riding at full speed,
and as we had recently passed a battery of six guns
on the road, I had no doubt that he was sent to

hurry them up. In a short time the village of Triano,
which is about ten miles from Storo, came in sight,
and as we entered one of the most extraordinary
scenes I ever witnessed took place. First, two
peasants, on mules, rode past chanting something ;
then, at full speed, three or four artillery baggage-
waggons came thundering past. In an instant a

scene of the wildest panic ensued ; the Garibaldians,
of which the village was full, and who were sitting
about everywhere, seized their muskets and what-
ever of their kit happened to be within reach, and
made a headlong rush from the village as fast as
their legs could carry them ; women caught up their
children, and fled into their houses ; carters turned
their horses' heads, and, jumping up, lashed them
into a gallop ; all was panic and alarm. " What is
the matter ?" I asked a flying soldier. " The Aus-
trians are coming into the other side of the village.'
" Nonsense, man," I answered, " the firing is a
mile off at least, and there are six or seven thousand
men between us and them, and unless they are all
taken prisoners, they will come through before the
Austrians." However, he did not appear re-assured
and continued his flight. A few officers who were
in the village now rushed out of the houses and with
drawn swords, loud shouting, and great gesticula-
tion, soon arrested the course of their men. It was
all over in five minutes, but while it lasted was ex-
tremely amusing. It was one of those sudden panics
to which young soldiers are always liable, and was
for the moment what the Americans would call a
complete stampede. The firing was now very heavy,
and leaving my carriage I went on on foot. In
another minute a mounted officer dashed into the
village and ordered every man instantly to the front.
By this, as by the retreat of the baggage waggons,
it was evident that the day was going against us,
and that the Austrians were advancing. About a
quarter of a mile beyond their village lies Lower
Triano, and as I entered there I saw _at once that

the loss was very serious. The wounded were just
beginning to arrive, some walking by themselves,
some supported by a comrade on either side, some,
more badly wounded still, carried on stretchers.
The confusion was tremendous ; the mounted
Guides rode about ordering every loiterer instantly
to the front; staff officers dashed past, one or two
stopping to ask me if I had passed any regiments
on my way from Storo, but I could only give them
the unwelcome intelligence that I had not done so,
and that I had heard that they were not to start
till 12 o'clock. The wounded were now arriving
thickly, and many of them were escorted by a most
unnecessary number of their comrades, who were,
however, instantly sent back again to the front.
At the doors of all the houses in the village stood
their owners, with pails of water and glasses, giving
drink to the wounded as they dragged their way
through. When I reached the end of the village I
came upon Garibaldi himself, who was sitting in his
carriage, looking quiet and stern, and in strong con-
trast to the shouting and excitement of those around.
Beyond I found a strong body of Garibaldians climb-
ing up the hill above the road to line a ledge about
100 yards above, so as to command the road. Still
pushing onwards, in a quarter of a mile I came upon
the scene of action. At about half a mile before
me lay the village of Bezzicca, and in and around
this a furious fight was raging. By making a detour
I was able to put myself on a vantage ground, from
which in perfect safety I could view the whole affair.
The Garibaldians had just been driven from the
village, but were still contesting the advance of the
Austrians ; the latter were, however, pushing on, and
were issuing in a very heavy line of skirmishers from
the village, keeping up a tremendous fire of musketry
and throwing rockets and occasionally shells upon
the retreating Italians. Upon some elevated ground
in the valley, about 400 yards from the town, were
posted a strong body of the latter, who kept up a
heavy fire upon the advancing Austrians. Presently
the two guns, which had before been in the rear,
dashed up right in front in splendid style, and in-
stantly unlimbering, opened upon the enemy. The
scene was most exciting, and the firing was heavier
and more sustained than I have ever heard it. The Ga -
ribaldian officers behaved most gallantly, encourag-
ing their men, and entreating them to make a stand.
These last, as I have always predicted from their
mixed composition, were palpably divided into two
classes,the one who fought magnificently, facing the
enemy as they retired sullenly before them, but con-
testing every inch of the ground as they gave way ;
the others who shrunk behind, and who would, had
it not been for the exhortations and orders of their
officers and braver comrades, have broken into head-
long flight. Nobly as the artillery fought their guns,
it was impossible for them to remain in the position
they had taken up under the tremendous musketry
fire of the Austrians. Three of the horses were killed,
and several wounded, and many of the men had
fallen, when they were forced to retire and take up
a position further back. This withdrawal of the
guns was evidently considered by the force of Gari-
baldians on the left to be the signal for retreat, and
they turned and began to run back in a body some
hundred yards before they were checked and brought.
back again ; but as the Austrians continued to ad-
vance, it was evident that in another few minutes
the Garibaldians must give way, and as in that case
the retreat of an only partially disciplined corps
along a narrow road was certain to become a scene
of hopeless confusion, and lead to some terrible dis-
aster, I prepared to bebeforehand by getting through
the village before the retreat fairly commenced,
when just as I had made up my mind to move I
heard the boom of a gun behind me, a shell whizzed
over our heads and burst in the village—another and
another. Ilooked round and saw with delight the six
guns which I had passed on my way, which had now
arrived at the most critical moment, and had taken
up an admirable position on a slightly rising ground
in the valley, abreast of the village of Lower Triano,
nearly half a mile behind me. Their arrival was in-
deed most opportune ; shell after shell whizzed over
our heads, and as soon as they had obtained the range
the practice was admirable. For a while, however,
the Austrians held their own, encouraged by their
officers, of whom there are four to each company of
120 men, and who fought as Austrian officers always
do. They still slowly continued to advance, but not for
long, for the Garibaldians regaining courage and hope
from the arrival of their artillery, again pressed for-
ward, and slowly, step by step, the Austrians retired
to the edge of the village, from which they kept up
a galling fire upon the Italians, who sheltered them-
selves as best they could in the ripe corn fields and
behind the road which runs parallel with the village
at a distance of about 300 yards, and which is raised
a few feet above the surrounding fields. Presently
a house at the end of the village caught fire from
the explosion of the shells, and in a few minutes the
flames spread to three or four of the adjoining
houses, and a mass of red flame shot up, which even
the bright glare of the sun could not obscure. The
houses in these Tyrolean villages are built almost
entirely of wood, and their roofs, which are open at

each end, are filled with hay ; and had not the wind
blown fortunately from the village, in less than half
an hour all Bezzicca would have been in ashes ; the
more especially as the whole population had fled at
the commencement of the engagement, and the
flames had completely their own way. For nearly an
hour the fight continued in this way, the Garibal-
dians several times forming for the purpose of a rush
at the village, but each time quailing before the con-
tinued fire. At lasea:number of the most determined
gathered themselves together, and made a gallant
charge forward ; the rest followed, and the Aus-
trians, without waiting to receive them, at once
evacuated the village, from which their main body
had probably retired when the artillery opened with
shell upon the place. In a short time the cannon
were moved up, and two of them kept up a fire upon
the next village into which the Austrians had re-
tired, for an Lour or so—a scattering exchange of
musket shots continued for some time between the
outposts of each party. This ceased at about four
o'clock, and the battle of Bezzicca was over.
I must now retrace my steps and relate that part
of the fight which took place before my arrival.
Last night our force occupied Lower Triano, and
indeed the ground for some little distance beyond
it. At daybreak the Fifth Regiment, 4,000 strong,
were formed, and advanced into the village
of Bezzicca, which they found empty. Through this
they passed, and confident that no resistance was to
be expected until they reached the next village, they
did not take sufficientprecaution in sending outflank
parties of skirmishers. When they had nearly reached
the next village a heavy column of Austrians issued
from a wood upon their flank, and had they not re-
treated most precipitately, would unquestionably
have cut the whole party off. Fortunately, however
the Italians reached Bezzicca first, but by so short a
distance that they were unable to make a stand at
the commencement of the village, which is placed in
a position of much natural strength. Before getting
through it, however, they turned at bay, and the
fight commenced and continued as I have described
it. On passing forward, after our men had occupied
the village, I found everywhere signs of the battle—
dead men and horses lay by the roadside. I counted
30 of the former on my way, all in the distance of a
few hundred yards ; numbers of wounded, some of
them injured in the most frightful manner ; muskets
and cartouch pouches lay scattered about, and Isaw
portions of several of the rockets which the Austrians
had thrown at us. Presently I saw some 20 Austrian
prisoners, most of them wounded, who had been
taken when the village was entered, amongst them
an officer badly wounded. These, Ishould say, have
been by Garibaldi's orders treated with especial care
and kindness, as were those captured at Ampola, and
I do not think that I mentioned that on that occa-
sion the general, with thoughtful kindness for their
feelings, ordered that the Garibaldian hymn, which
is our national air here, should not be playedin their
hearing. After going through the village of Bezzicca
I returned to this place, and my first care was to in-
spect the hospitals. These I foundin amost disgrace-
ful state. One does not expect to find in hospitals
hastily opened to receive the wounded after an unex-
pected battle the order and regularity of a permanent
establishment, but one does look to find food, refresh-
ments, medicine, bandages, and surgeons. Would it
be believed that there was not one of these things ?
Absolutely not one. For four hours after the
wounded were carried into the hospital in this village
no surgeon had arrived, they were simply brought in
and left to die. No food, no drink, no bandages, no
attendance—at least from those who should have
waited on them. For the first two hours the only
assistance rendered to the sufferers was by Mrs.
Chambers and another English lady, the wife of an
officer in the Italian service. These two alone ren-
dered aid-.the former tore up a portion of her per-
sonal apparel to form bandages, and at her own ex-
pense purchased food and drink for them, and then,
aided by her friend, bathed and bandaged the wounds
of the men. The curate of the village then came to
her assistance, and called upon his parishioners for
aid, and presently rough pallet beds were brought in
and some of the women of the village tendered their
personal services. But for four hours no surgeon
arrived. Up to to-night no food or drink has been
received by them except that purchased by this Eng-
lish lady. The hospital in the lower village was in
the same state.

This reflects an indelible disgrace upon the head
of the medical staff of the Garibaldian army, whose
duty was of course to have seen that at least suffi-
cient surgeons and bandages were sent forward
to provide for any contingency which might occur.
He was not, I believe, himself up here, but that can
be no sufficient excuse. It was his duty to have
seen that the necessary arrangements were made.
He should have named the surgeons who should
accompany the regiments to the front, and those
who should remain behind to organise hospitals for
the wounded as they were brought in. His duty it
was to have made arrangements with the commis-
sariat for the supply of bread, wine, and meat for
broth, and to have sent forward cases of bandages,
lint, and medical comforts for them. Not one of
these things has he done, and I should think that
General Garibaldi, whose tender-heartedness for his
soldiers is well known, will demand the reason why.
I cannot help thinking, too, that the ladies of Milan
and other cities would have done well to have
organised a staff of hospital nurses, and not left
them to the care of strangers.
The battle of Bezzicca has cost the Garibaldians
somewhere about four hundred killed and wounded,
the former being about fifty, among whom were
several officers, including Colonel Chiassi, of the
Fifth Regiment, who was considered one of the best
officers of the Garibaldian force. The total number
of troops in and around this village may be seven
thousand, of which between four and five thousand
were actually engaged, the remainder being stationed
upon the hills in the neighbourhood. They lost
besides about a hundred prisoners. The Austrian
force is variously estimated at from three to five
thousand. I believe the former amount to be about
the truth. They had only one gun with them.
Nothing is known as to their loss, as they carried
off all their dead. The affair, although at one time
it looked very badly for our men, and, indeed, was
only saved by the arrival of our artillery, has yet had
a very good effect upon them. Although they lost
their position at first, yet they afterwards retook it,
and can therefore claim a little victory. Many of
them displayed great courage, and the whole body
are learning to stand fire, and to have confidence in
themselves, and I hope that in each of these affairs
the conduct of the whole will improve, until they
in some degree approach the mark of Garibaldi's
original followers. One thing tells terribly against
them—that is, the size of their companies and their
paucity of officers. With 250 men in a company
and only one or two officers, if they once fall into
the slightest confusion it is almost hopeless to expect
them to recover themselves under a heavy fire, while
the Austrians, with one officer to every thirty men,
and these thirty all trained soldiers, have an im-
mense advantage over them.

As at Monte Suello 1 do not think that the object
of the Austrians was to defeat the Garibaldian
army, or even to drive them back any distance, the
Austrians having a purely defensive game to play.
I believe they only wished to check the advance and
thus gain time to concentrate their forces at Riva,
the more especially when I recall what I mentioned
in my last letter, namely, the order to the garrison
at Ampola to hold out for six days. Had their ob-
ject been otherwise they would surely have attacked
in greater force, and the column would have had
more than the one solitary gun by which it was ac-
companied. If this was their object they were suc-
ccessful, as they have delayed the advance for two
days, as I hear that Garibaldi has ordered that there
is to be a pause for a day, partly to give the troops
time for rest, partly to allow time for more regi-
ments to arrive from Storo. I suppose that there
will be some 15,000 up here in readiness for the
advance on the day after to-morrow.

Of the troops engaged to-day, the Ninth Regi-
ment, which, besides having been under fire before,
is composed of by far the best materials, behaved
the best. Young Ricciotti Garibaldi, who only got
out or a sick bed the day before, behaved with a
gallantry worthy of his father. He led one of the
most brilliant charges of the day, and all speak en-
thusiastically of his conduct.

The next village is said to be defended by a bat-

tery in position, and the corps of engineers who
arrived at Storo to raise a battery to attack the fort
of Ampola are expected here to-morrow, early, to
throw up a battery here. I trust that the Bersag-
lieri of the line will also arrive, as it would be an
immense advantage to Garibaldi's raw levies to have
some regular troops, especially such splendid soldiers
as the Bersaglieri, to show them the way ; this done,
I believe the Garibaldians would follow nobly. There
is at present no post-office whatever here, and I
must trust this letter to a private hand to post
when he gets to Brescia. It is a great nuisance to
feel so uncertain whether my letters ever reach you.
I can only write them and send them off, hoping for
the best.

I have just heard that the Austrians have made
an attack to-day in force upon Condino, but have
been driven back. It is well for us that it is so, for
otherwise they would have taken Storo, and com-
pletely cut off this division of the army. The panic
in Storo at the news of this attack, and of the arriva
of officers who left here with despatches in the middle
of the fight at the time when the Austrians were
advancing is described as tremendous.

rt Ntruitf _
lit Tar

HER MAJESTY.

. OSBORNE, Friday.
The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon with
Prince Leopold, attended by Lady Augusta Stanley.
Princess Louis and Princess Beatrice drove out
also.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales dined with her Majesty yesterday.
The Queen with Princess Louise walked in the
grounds this morning, and Prince Leopold drove
out.

Sir Stafford Northcote left Osborne yesterday and
eturned to London.