The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-18
HE DIHP ATC III



The Pssisisn Of the Csnfendins Forces.
We endeavored, the other day, to make
our readers understand the position OF the
belligerents, which they can easily do oy
reference to modern map of Northern TIA
ly. Since that time the late arrival teaches
us that changes have already been made IN
these positions. We will endeavor to place
the matter in the clearest light we can.
The river Pc winds through nearly the
whole length of Sardinia, from west to
east, dividing it into two unequal portions.
The northern portion is vast plain. The
southern, (south of the Pc, including &C.
noa and the country round about it, is ex-
tremely mountainous, the Apenni mes run
ming through it, and throwing off spurs
even to the very banks of the river. The
river Ticino, including Lago Naggiore, rum
ming south forms the eastern boundary
of the Northern division of Sardinia,
which it separates from the Austrian
possessions of Lombardy. These pos
sessions are bounded on the south by the
Pc. To the south of the Pc, Sardinia is
bounded, on the east by the Duchies Of Par
ma and Modena. The western boundary
of Sardinia is the Alps, which separate it
from France, and it is about one hundred
miles broad, from the Ticino to the Alps.
The Austrians having passed the Ticino,
face due west. The French having passed
the Alps face due east. Turin lies between
the two, in almost straight line drawn
east and west through its centre. 1t
is seventy miles from Butfalova, where the
Austrians crossed the Ticino, and thirty
three miles from Susa where the French
crossed the Alps. If the two armies moved
forward on this line they would soon come
in contact, and decide the matter at once.
But the movement Of the Austrians is
likely to be considerably modified by the
following circumstances:
Upon their left flank, grouped around the
powerful fortresses of Casale, Alessandria
and Tortona, all lying on the Pc, is grouped
the entire Sandman army, said to be 5000
strong. A French force of 10000 men,
continually receiving reinforcements, is
also lying at Genoa, from which point to
Alessandria, there is, as our readers are
aware, a railroad only forty-six miles long.
At any hour, then, lis, 000 men can be con-
centrated upon the left flank of the Austrian
army if it advance towards Tdrin. If it
face about, aud march against the Sardi-
mans, then it presents its flank to the
French coming from Susa. If it ad-
vance to Turin, the Franco-Sardinian ar
my, capable of being reinforced to any ex-
tent. will close up its rear, and cut off its
communications, while it will be opposed
in front by powerful French army. The
opinion seems now to be that it will not
undertake this enterprise. 1t has 81
ready taken possession, however, of Nova
ra, which is the junction of the Turin and
Novara railroad, and the Alessandria and
Aroma railroad, and at the last accounts
| was marching upon Vercelli, which lies
on the road from Novara to Turin. Never
| theless, the prevailing opinion is, that they
will march down the Ticino, to attack the
Sardinians, in the neighborhood of Alessan-
dria. Ifso, it will present its right flank to
the French army of the Alps, or las it is now
called) Of Italy. The evident danger OF
either movement, and the certainty, that, il
| it fail, little less than absolute destruction
must be the consequence, induces the Lou
| don Times to believe that the Austrians will
divide their forces, and face both the army
Of Italy, and the Franco-Sardinian army a,
the same time. Our own opinion is, that
they will recross the Ticino, fall back upon
| their powerful fortresses in Lombardy, and
there await the advance of their enemies,
amid the interminable succession of rivers
that fall into the Pc. They will thus pre-.
serve their communication with the TyroI
and Vienna, unless the French should break
it up by sending powerful force to Venice
| and taking uoSsesSion of the Adriatic