Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-07-14

twelve hours, and with partial success ON Their
right wing where they encountered the Ped
montese forces. Napoleon, however, expressly
names the valor of the Sandman allies in his
bulletin, and the temporary advantage gained
over them by the Austrians must have been
owing wholly to their mleriority in numbers to
their Austrian enemy. The centre, which was
at Solferino, and the left wing of the Austrians
were, however, SO badly beaten and broken to
pieces, that order could not be restored, and the
whole army in full retreat re crossed the Mncio
and fixed their headquarters at Villa Franco,
Napoleon passing the night in the same room
occupied in the morning by the Emperor of
Austria.
The slaughter was no doubt terrible The
Austrian bulletin admits an extraordinarily
heavy - loss, and the Allies must have suffered
severely. 1t would hardly be IA large estimate
to say that thirty thousand men in both armies
were put hOrs du combat 1t was great vic
tory for the allied Kings, an overwhelming de-
feat for Francis Joseph, and we cannot wonder
that the Austrian Emperor has learned that
g important business " calls him back to Vienna.
However poorly the campaign was conducted
by his generals before his presence in the camp,
it certainly has nut improved In successful
strategy since, and he may be excused for al.
lowing his generals to lead an army that is ever
defeated and ever retreating.
Prince Napoleon did not participate in this
battle, and probably Garibaldi's forces were too
ar north to take any part, as We heard OF
them last at Salo, on the Lake of Garda. The
French did not cross the Mincio until the 2Sth,
four days after the battle, which would indicate
Il loss too severe to admit Of Immediately follow
ing up the victory by decisive advances and
the fact that the Austrians offered no OPP
position to this passage san evidence that their
forces must have been badly cut to pieces at
Solierino. Napoleon himself was in most Of
the fight and General who accompanied him
had horse shot under him. Victor Emmanuel
of course, as in previous battles, risked his per.
son where the shot fell thickest. In all respects
whether we consider the numbers engaged, the
stake for which the conflict was joined, the
Kings and Emperors who marshalled the hosts
OF the immense slaughter, the Battle of Solfer-
inc must take rank in history us one of the
greatest Of modern times.
1t is quite impossible to predict the ultimate
results to flow from this great battle. 1t, o.
course, establishes the immense superiority, ii
field operations, OF the Allies, and leaves nc
doubt of their ultimate and speedy success in
driving the Austrans out of Lombardy, if the
other powers of Europe do not interfere. But
Prussia seems to be anxious for an excuse to as
sist Francis Joseph, and the German States are
continually expressing their hostility toward
Napoleon. The Prussian army has been mobil
lied, that is, put in condition to march and
/ fight, there is rumor that Prussia is now
ready to demand settlement Of the Italian
question: but on basis which will not for q
moment be entertained by the French Emperor
Prussia may thus find poor excuse for joining
her immense forces to those of Francis Joseph
in the hope of restoring Italy to Austria, ant
crushing Napoleon Ill, as Napoleon |, WA
overwhelmed But the Gar of Russia will NO
in that event be ami idle spectator Of the con
Ilict, but will beyond question join his forces
to those of the Allies, and fight with then
against Austrian despotism in Italy. And the
/, Ministry in England, with Palmorston at it,
head, and Russell in the Foreign Office, vii
show something more than warm sympathy fol
Napoleon in this crusade for Italian Freedom
and will aspire, no doubt, to y share of the
glory of restoring Italy to the Italians.
Kossuth, too, is moving the Hungarians tC
seize this suspicious moment to shake off the
yoke of the House of IIapsburg, and this nc
doubt with the full knowledge and consent o.
the French Emperor. We cannot believe, how.
ever, that Napoleon aspires to be the Liberatol
of Hungary, as well as of Italy, but rather
conclude that it is only encouraged to give the
Austrian army occupation in another quarter
and forbid them to engage their entire force il
the Italian war. With the menacing attitude
of Prussia, threatening to march an army tC
the Rhine, with the German States anxious and
ready to fight the French, with the Hungarianl
in revolt, and with the great bear of Russia
rousing himself for fight, it seems almost I'M
possible to keep the war from assuming Euro
pean proportions, and engaging every power OF
the Continent 1t remains for England to ac
as the mediator, the pacificator at this impor
tant juncture, and if, through her Intervention
and diplomacy, the war can be kept in its pres
ent limits, and yet Italy be restored to her owl
children, Palmerston may share with Napoleon
the glory of delivering nation from the yok
of the oppressor and not only that, but ma,
gain for himself, and his Cabinet, the CREATE
fame of holding Europe back from the yer,
verge of fearfully bloody war.
In the meantime other battles will be, or hav
doubtless already been, fought in Italy. Thu
fortresses, Peschiera, Verona, and Mantua, will
! have 60 be taken, Venice will be occupied by tn
French, and the Austrians must be pushed to tn
frontiers of Venetian Lombardy. We shall ex
pect news of all this, and then we hope fo
peace, a peace that shall humble Francis Joseph
exalt Italy, and leave Napoleon the name o
Liberator of the Peninsula
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