The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-19 00:00:00

SARDINIA.

(From the Correspondent of the Daily News.)
ALESSANDRIA, MAY 15.

I am still writing from this city, which, as you
known, is the most remarkable monument of the
great Lombard league. On the confines of the
Marquisate of Montferrat and the Pavezano, be.
tween the Tanaro and the Bormida and near their
junction, stands this famous town. After the
blessing of the Pontiff and a general congress of
the league, it was determined that the city to be
built round the spot where a small castle called
" Del Roberto" stood should be named Alessandria,
in honour of Pope Alexander 111., the protector of
the Guelphs and the head of catholic Christendom.
It was within its walls that in the year 1174 the
citizens of the Lombard towns, together with the
inhabitants of the surrounding villages, stood their
ground against the army of the incensed German
Emperor, who was compelled to make a disgraceful
retreat from before the newly erected walls. It was
yesterday that the Emperor of the French, riding
side by side with Marshal Canrobert, and sur-
rounded by a brilliant s! aff, made his entry into the
town, establishing here the head-quarters of his
powerful army. I need scarcely tell you that the
arrival of his Majesty has been greeted by the most
cordial and enthusiastic manifestations on the part
both of citizens and soldiers. Triumphal arches
were erected in different streets. At the gate of
Porta Marengo, which leads to the famous field of
battle made illustrious by the First Consul, one arch
had been erected, adorned with flowers and flags,
on the frieze of which the motto, " All' erede del
Vincitore di Marengo" (To the descendant of the
conqueror of Marengo) had been conspicuously em-
blazoned
in tri-coloured letters. Victor Emmanuel,
riding on a fine bay charger, went to meet the
Emperor, and took him to the Royal Palace, splen-
didly decorated for the occasion. The appearance
of the King was really magnificent ; his martial
bearing, and his bold, firm aspect, gave evidence of
the noble race of warriors from whom he springs.
It would have been a subject worthy of Marochetti.
My pen is not powerful enough to describe the busy
and singular appearance of the town. Groups of
Zouaves, bands of hussars and lancers, together with
the beautiful women and girls of the city, singing
and embracing each other with that nonchalance
which forms one of the prominent features of the
present movement. Ladies of rank walking arm-
in-arm with the young officers of the Imperial
Guard ; priests and soldiers talking together, eating
together, drinking and singing together. The
enthusiasm was not d'ordre, but it was the real
manifestation of a powerful and true-felt feeling.
This manifestation had no limit when the first order
of the day addressed by the Emperor to the army
was posted at the corners of the streets, and over
the walls of public buildings.
The activity which prevails in the French and
Sardinian camps leaves no doubt that the hour of
the great struggle is near at hand. General Gyulai
had, perhaps, caught scent of the intentions of his
adversaries, for since yesterday he has hastily aban-
doned the position of Bobbie, which he had caused
to be explored by a column of the army he com-
mands. By the intended occupation of this moun-
tain town he had apparently the object of menacing
the right of the allied army. Descending on the
valley of the Staffora he could have attacked the ex-
treme right of the French, whilst with a bold march
through the opening on his left he could have threat-
ened Marshal Baraguay d'Hilliers, who is still
posted on the main road from Novi to Genoa with
the Ist corps d'armee. On the other hand, with the
occupation of Bobbie, he could have equally de-
scended into the valley of the Trebbia if his centre
of Piacenza had been menaced. The movement of
the Austrian general-in-chief on Bobbio was almost
simultaneous with the advance on Stradella, Broni,
Carteggio, Casatisma, Argine, and Mezzana Corti.
A glance at the map will show you that the three
first-mentioned villages are in direct communication
with the entrenched Austrian camp of Piacenza,
and the last with Gravcllone and Pavia. The camp
of Piacenza has been manned with 200 heavy guns,
and it is there that General Gyulai awaits the first
attack of the united forces. These, of course, are
all mere conjectures ; but, as I told you, people here
of mark and likelihood share almost to a man this
opinion. At the extreme left of the Piedmontese
lines nothing of note has occurred since my last
letter. A second reconnaissance en force has been
made by the Sardinians on. the Vercelli road,
marching as far as the Cascine di Stra. The Ausp
trians did not stir from their positions, nor did they
answer to the vigorous fire of their brave assailants.
The enlistment of volunteers is going on with
great activity both at Turin and Acqui. In this
last town a regiment called Cacciatori delli Apen-
nini is ready to join the active army. It is com-
manded by Signor Boldoni, a distinguished Nea-
politan colonel. This regiment is composed of four
battalions under the orders of Majors Duke San
Donato, Mathieu, Gheltoff, and Zanardi. The first
of these gentlemen is an intimate friend of Commen-
datore Ratazzi, formerly Home Secretary in
Cavour's administration, and one of the leading men
of the Chamber. In order to give you a full idea of
the readiness of Lombard and Venetian noblemen
to join the national army, I shall quote a few preg-
nant instances. In one of the cavalry regiments
there are three Marquises Visconti ; in the Caccia-
tori delle Alpi, four Counts della Riva ; and three
Counts Arrivabene in another regiment. Dukes
and princes are not wanting: and the noblest and
most ancient families of Venice, Florence, Cremona,
Brescia, Bergamo, and Padua, are represented in
the army.
It is my painful duty to dwell again on the atro-
cities which mark the occupation of the Austrian
army in Piedmont. I have seen a poor fellow who,
together with twenty of his countrymen, has been
wounded by Piedmontese bullets under the follow-
ing circumstances : An Austrian colonel was
ordered by General Zobel to make a reconnaissance
near Vortona. He was instructed to get hold of
some twenty Piedmontese peasants, and make them
march in front of his columns in order to screen his
movements. Threatened by the enemy, the Pied-
montese were in the painful position of opening
their fire against the poor folio vs, who fell uttering
the cry of " Bravi, Viva l'ltalia." This fact, which
I am able to state on very good authority, because
I saw one of the victims myself, speaks volumes,
and needs no comment. English people shall judge.
As the mail is closing, I have only time to add a
piece of news which has caused great surprise in the
political circles of Turin. Lord Malmesbury has

directed Sir James Hudson to signify to Count
Cavour that it is the wish of her Majesty's Govern-
ment that the term for laying the embargo on
Austrian ships should be prolonged. The reason
given to justify this Austrian demand is, that the
captains who are not aware of the actual state of
war would be led into a trap. His lordship must
have forgotten that Piedmont is carrying on a seri-
ous and decisive war against Austria, and that a
sentimental policy would be quite out of place. On
the other hand, history teaches us that during our
wars against France and Russia, it was altogether a
different principle which prevailed at
Downing-
street. If lam rightly informed, the suggestion of
Lord Malmesbury has been met by a flat and
peremptory refusal.