The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-05-16

L ~
with the Austrians, and the war in Italy
is ended.
1t appears, that after the affair of Rieti,
the AusIrians advanced to Aquila. Sub.
sequeGtly, bulletin was issued, dated
at Castel di Sangro, and signed by VIII.
liam Pepe, Of which the following is an
extract.
"'The corps commanded by General
Pepe was chiefly composed Of legona-
ries and provisional militia, who were
hastily assembled on the FIRST announce
ment of the movements OF The Aust ian
troops, and who never believed the war
in which we were engaged was serious.
With this corps General Pepe had to
guard the valley Of Rovelo, Tagliacozao,
Antraduco, Leonessa, and the Tron,o.
The enemy appeared in force in the
neighborhood OF Civita Duca!c. A
mong the COURSES Of which General
Pepe had it in his power to follow, the
most prudent was to debouche from his
position and to attempt an extensive re.
connoissance. On the morning Of the
7th, he attacked the enemy near Rieti,
aud at the same time directed an attack
to he made near Leonnessa by three bat
talions. The national troops, and par.
ticulariy those Of the line, drove D4ck
the enemy with the greatest brayer..
A demi battalion of the Capitanata dis
tinguished itself in the first line, as did
demi battalion of the sd light infantry.
in vain did the enemy depIoy all his
cavalry in the plain of Rieti, oar sharp
shooters handled the huszars severely,
and killed a great number Of them, in
cludIng some superior officers.
Afrer a warm hrc had continued for
seven hours, the enemy brought up re,
Inducements. His numbers soon be-
came superior to ours. The General
ordered retreat, which was effected
without any Of our troops receiving ei-
thcr muskct shot or a sabre cut. But
the enemy advanced the fire OF his ar
tilley threw into disorder the second
line OF our militia, who perceiving, that
the troops composing the first line were
retreating, believed the corps defeated
which they had so bravely sustained for
seven hours under the hottest fire. Ma
ny Of the battalion Of militia dispersed.
The enemy, surprised at the courage
cur troops had opposed to them, did not
venture TO advance on any point but
having learned from spies the disorder
which had taken place, he seized the
proPlIious moment, and tried with large
masses TO force The passage of Antrodu.
co. This dchie was defended with ex.
treme vaior by the brave General Russo,
whose troops fought well; bot our
troops were overcome by numbers, and
the dehle was carried.--Generai Pepe
then moved his head quarters to Sulmo.
ma, and OIL the llth 10 Castel Il Sangro.
where he intended to recompose his
corps, and to present to tie enemy that
resistance winch he ought to expect
from Neapolitan soldiers when recover
cd from a first surprise. This corps
will be recognised, and will be rendered
worthy OF the esteem Of the enemy and
the nation"
This intelligence is contained in
Neapolitan journal OF the 18th ult. which
adds that general Pope was expected in
the capital, and that he was to be repIac-
ed by general Filangeri; marshal Verdi
nosi, whose column had sustained no
loss, was also stated to be in the prov
,nce of Chietre, embarrassing the enemy
by manoeuvering on his flanks. AT
CaPua council Of war was held, BY the
prince Regent, and OIL the breaking up
OF the council, lieut.. general Fardella
was dispatched to Florence, on a mis-
sion to the King.
A private letter from Naples, of the
same date, declares, that even the de-
files of An,roduco, where few men