Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-06-09
SnoRr CREEK, Va
The Battle Of aTonteDelIo.
PARTICULARS OF rue ENLIGHTENMENT.
tFtOm the London News, May 25.l

The battle OF MOntebellO Is worthy opening
of the Italian campaign of 1859. AT first it
seemed probable that it might prove II mere
affair of Outposts, bat itnow seems to have been
a serious engagement According to the fuller
information which has como to hand since Mon"
day, the advanced posts of the allied army, con-
sistng of 500 Sandman horse, supported by two
batteries, occupied 81 position near MOntebrllO
on the great road between Alessandria and Pia-
cenza, and five miles eastward OF Noghera. The
division Of Gen. FOrey, consisting of four bril-
gadcs OF about 5000, and forming part OF Bara-
guay dIIillers corps, lay u short distance be
hind Suddenly, about ii o'clock on Friday
morning, an Austrian division of $4,000 men
was seen advancing from the eastward. It was
in three columns and led, some say by Count
Stallion; others by Baron Stobel. Its right was
in advance OF its left, and stretched towards
Branduzzo a village about two miles northeast
of Castcggio; its centre was the attacking force,
whilst its left, supported by powerful artillery,
advanced along thc.great Ioad: BY which rOad
the attacking force came does not clearly APP
pear; but according to some accounts it was
from Strandea, seven eight miles eastward
of CaStcggio nor, indeed, does it appear whether
it passed through that village before 1t Joined
battle. However, on they came, and at once
fell upon the Sandman cavalry, under Colonel
de Sonnaz, who with his $50 men had to make
head against an overwhelming force. AT first,
the French General thinking it was a mere re-
connoisSancc, advanced with only 900 men, but
finding that there were $4,000, with cavalry
and artillery, he pushed on his first brigade,
and directed the other two to follow-leaying
his second brigade, with some of the National
Guard in reserve. In the meantime despcr-
ate Struggle had ensued. For nm hour, it is
said, yonng Colonel de Sonna2, with his brill
INIT cavalry, sustained the shock OF the enemy
But even after the arrival of the first French
rcinforcenents the battle did not slackcn.-
Future letters must reveal the glorious story of
those deeds of daring-thosc hand To hand
6ghts-thoSe bloody encounters md desperate
charges, which will render this battle mcmora-
BILE. The attack was obstinate; tho numbers
were unequal; and SO thickly did the shot and
shell full upon the centre Of the allies that they
were compelled to retire. Just aS General
Beuret was leading on his men to the attack an
attempt was male to turn the allied riSht-bnt
in vain. The Austrian centre, aSsNiled by the
allies in front, and broken by the destructive
fire Of the new Imperial artillery, fell back,
that the allies reOccupied their ground.-I
But in the meantime General Forey had
arrived. With his Z1uaves, his Chasseurs
dOrtuanS, and two battalons Of the line,
the General dashed against the Gneuy, while
the light horsemen of Montferrato, under
Colonel MOrelli, charged in flank, the second
brigade assailed the right, aud the artillery
poured a.destructive fire. The attack was ir-
resiStahle; and so the Anstrians, about five
o'clock in the afternoon, after six hours hard
fighting, hogan to retire. They divided thenl-
selves into two bOdieS-the one retiring cast !
ward on Stradella the other nortllward on
Uasatisina. In short, the day was won; and i'll
it be true that victory OF Montehello was in.
tended TO inaugerate the arrival OF the Austrian
Emperor at Pavia, his Majesty may, perhaps, /
be consoed by the reflection that, like hinself,
two Russian Princes came to witness lnkcrnann
and met with the same fate. Every one re-
members the Gmous French Marshall in which |
he described n defeat as "UHs TecOHHn iSSOHce
pouSse :un pen trop liOM," and the Austrian |
General seems to have adopted the same formula. |
But people will nevertheless continue to call
things by their right names
A battle has indeed been gained, but the loss
was severe, Colonel Aorei fell mortally |
Wounded from his horse after the day was |
nearly closed General Beuret was killed by /
peDt ball at the close of the action, and other
Ulcers Of rank in the French army fell in the |
hick OF the fight In fact, the allies admit |
,ss of 500 killed and wounded, whilst tile |
loss of the AuStrians is still unknown. Such |
was the battle of Monticello; and its importance
is not triting. Though the accounts are chiefly |
from the allied side, it is clear that their num-
bcrs were greatly inferior, and that they fought |
with brilliant and steady courage. Prestige is |
everything TO an untried army, and this is now
established. Whatever is done by the Italians |
seems to show that they are determined to sac
riEicc their all for the sake of Independence and |
that they are worthy champions Of the cause
which the Italians, and amongst them
Victor Emmanuel, are prepared to make for the
liberation Of the country, should it be forgotten
that the patriot King has consented to incorpor-
nte his army with that of France, and totdke the
command OF a corps ti'a9Snee under the French |
Emperor. Unityo command is the first essential