The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-06-15
The Battle of Monticello.
Particulars of the Engagement.

From the London News, May % SOL
The battle of Montebello is a worthy
opening of the Italian campaign of 1859. |
At the first it seemed probable that it
might prove mere affair of outposts,
but it now seems to have been serious
engagement. According to the fuller
information which has come to hand
since Monday, the advanced posts Of
the allied army, consisting of 500 Sar-
dinian horse, supported by two batteries,
occupied position near Montebello, on
the great road between Alessandria and
Placenza, and five miles eastward of Vo-
ghera. The division of Gen. Forey,
consisting of four brigades of about o.
600, and forming part of paraguay a.
Hilliers corps, lay a short distance be-
hind. Suddenly, about | O'Clock on
Friday morning, an Austrian division of
1000 men was seen advancing from the
eastward. 1t was in three columns, and
led, some say by Count Stadion; others
! by Baron Stobel. Its right was in ad-
vance Of its left, and stretched towards
Branduzzo, a village about two miles
northeast Of Casteggio; its centre was the
attacking f r e, whilst its left, supported
by powerful artillery, advanced along
the great road. BY which road the at.
tac&ing force came does not clearly ap-
pear; but according to some accounts it
was from Strandella, seven or eight
miles eastward of .Casteggio; nor, indeed,
does It appear whether it passed through
that villuge' before 1T joined battle
However on they came and at once fell
upon the Sardinian cavalry, under Colo
mel de Sonnaz, who with his $50 men
had to make head against an oyerwhem-
ing force. 'aHs@ H''H'ae-,
At first, the French General, thinking
it was mere reconnaissance, advanced
with only 500 men, but finding that there
were $4,000, with cavalry and artillery,
he pushed on his first brigade, and di-
rected the other two to folIow-leavine
his second brigade, with some of the
National Guard, in reserve. In the
meantime desperate struggle had en-.
sued For an hour it is said, young
Colonel Ge Sonnaz, with his brilliant cav.
falry, sustained the shock of the enemy
But even after the arrival of the first
French reinforcements the battle did not
slacken. .i.,'sN2t = 4ose-'' .
Future letters must reveal the glori
Gus story ofthose deeds Of daring g-those
hand to hand fights those bloody en-.
counters and desperate charges, which
will render this battle. memorable The
attack was obstinate; the numbers Were
unequal; and,so. thickly did, the shot, .and
! shell fall upon the centre Of the allie;
that, thsy were compelled to retire.
Just as General Beuret was leading or
his men to the attack an attempt wa
g, made to turn the, allied right--buts ii
& vain. The Austrian centre, assailed by
the allies in front, and broken by the des
{ tructiye Ere of the9new Imperial artillery
fell back, SO that the allies reoccupiet
r their ground. 7s., q. Il sss p ell Esasr
But in the meantime General Fore,
had arrived With his Zouayes, hi
Chaseurs. d'Orleans, and two battalion
OF the line, the General dashed agains
the enemy, while the light horsemen Q
Moutferrate, under Colonel, Morrelli
. charged in flank, the second brigade as
sailed the right, and the artillery poure'
destructive fire. The attack was fire.
y sistable; and SO the Austrians, abou
five O'Clock in the afternoon, after si
(; hours hard fighting, began to retire. :
. They divided themselves into two bodie