The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-12
Report 81 the Baptist Southern Con-

ready Tor mailing. PERSONS ieafHis eoWu
before Thursday can have them sent to their
address by calling to-day or tomorrow and
leaving their address.
Position Of the Bsliigsrsnts im Italy.
The attention of the public being fixed at
this moment upon the plains of Italy, in
eager anticipation of the momentous events
which day may bring forth, we take the
to present such view of the
relative position of the belligerent parties,
as we can make out from the imperfect tel
egraphic dispatches which have thus far
come 70 hand. The connection was inter-
rupted on Tuesday, and at this hour, ten
O. clock Of Wednesday, we have not receiv-
cd our files by the Anglo-Saxon and AIDE
laide.)
The Ticino, rising In the Alps near the
sources of the Rhine and the Danube, after
spreading ont into Lago Maggiore in the
upper part of its course, flows nearly due
south, and enters the Pc at Pavia. II is the
dividing line between the kingdom of Sar-
DINA and the Lombardo-venetian posses
sion of Austria, the former lying to the
west of it. and the latter to the east. The
Sessia, a Sandman river, flows in parallel
direction to the Ticino, and as far as we can
Judge from the maps, about ten or fifteen
miles from it. The Austrians, before they
moved, were lying on the eastern side OF
the Ticiuo. The telegram says the Sardin-
ians are lying at Sessa, which seems to be
a town on the western bank of the river of
that name. The same telegram says the
Austriaus have crossed the Ticino, at Butfa-
lora, and moved in the direction of Novara.
This town lies considerably to the south Of
that which is put down as Sessia on the
maps, and if the report be true. it is very
easy to see the object of the movement in
question. We will explain it, according 10
our view.
A railroad, commencing at Genoa, runs
nearly due NORTH between the Sessia and
the Ticiuo. passing through the towns of
Alessandria, Mortara and Novara, and ter
inmates at Aroma on the Lago Maggiore.-
At Novara it connects with another rail-
road from Turin. If the main body of the
Ssrdinians lies at Sessia, the occupation OF
the junction at Novara, will prevent them
from receiving reinforcements coming either
from Genoa, or Turin. 1t will also, cut
them off from Turin, to which Novara, IS con-
siderably nearer than Sersia. Tie Sardl-
MAN army will thus be isolated, and expos
ed to destruction, while the capital of Sar-
DINA will be placed, in a measure, at the
mercy of the Austrians. In order to pre-
vent such a catastrophe, the Sardinians
will be compelled to fall back, in the direc-
ton of Turin. At Alessandria, afew days
march to the south of Novara, the railroad
from Genoa to Alessandria, and that from
Alessandr;a to Turin connect, nearly at
right angles, the Turin road running from
that point nearly due west to Turin. II
the Austrians should have taken possession
Of Noyara, the French, coming by rail from
Genoa, will, it is to be presumed, take the
Turin road to Turiu, if it be not already
broken up before their arrival. In case Ell
ther of these catastrophes should happen,
or if the Sardinians should be cut off from
their capital, it seems probable, that they
will retreat in the direction of Mount Gents
over which the French are already said t
be pouring. This would leave an Austrian
force between Turin and Genoa, and of course
between the French forces arriving at thai
point and those now crossing the Alps. Il
would give the Austrians a central position
and enable them to keep their vast army to
gether in one body.
We are however, only supposing case
There is little doubt that the French Empe
ror foresaw all this, and will send hi
troops with so much dispatch that the Aus
trians will not be able to destroy the Ales
sandria and Turin Railroad before they shall
have passed. He perfectly understands tn
value of time. in military operations, ant
that is what the Austrians never did for
merlv, according to the elder Napoleon,
whatever they may do now.
There is one thing in connection with thi
subject, which we cannot understand. Tn
telegraph says, Tuscany has joined tn
Sardinians and French" If such were tn
fact, the strategical position of the allie
would be prodigiously improved. But "
are at loss to understand what is meaut
The Grand Duke of Tuscany is a Hapsburl
"A scion Of the House OF Austria. T.
shield him from the wrath of his outrage'
subjects, Austria, few years ago, subjected
Tuscany to military occupation, as she ha'
repeatedly done before. Surely, the GRAM
Duke has not joined the alliance, whlc
must be especially detrimental to his inter
ests.
P. S.-Since the above was written, W
have received our files. 1t seems to be tru
that Tuscany has joined the allies but thi
is the consequence of revolt, which ha
driven the Grand Duke from his dominions