The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-05-18

The details of the Foreign News which have at
length reached us in the mails of the steamers
WcsT and Borussid, enable us to obtain clearer
insight into the position of the belligerent
forces now operating in Piedmont. We learn
that the Austrians entered Piedmont in three
dlvsions-and at three separate points. The
hrSt division, comprising twenty battalions
crossed the Ticino by the bridge of Buffalora and
marching westward on the road to Turin, occupied
the town of Novara. The second division crossed
the Ticino by the ford and flying bridge at Abbate-
Grasso, which lies six miles south of the bridge
OF Buhalora, and took possession of the town of
Mortara. The third division moving northwardly
entered the towns of Palazza and Aroma on Lake
Maggore. We may note here, for the better euci
dalton OF these movements on the part of the
Austrlans, that taking the strong town and for
ess OF Milan as the base of operations for the fiat
country of Piedmont, the three Austrian divisions
at the last advices occupied respectively the fol-
lowing positions. The first division at Novara
was in line due west from Milan-the common
centre. The second was at Mortara in southwest
erly direction diagonal from the same point; whilst
the third at Palazza and Aroma, was also diagonal
to Milan in north-westerly directon-like the
spokes of wheel-the first division being on line
represented by the middle or horizontal spoke, and
the second and third radatng from the same centre
above and below. These three spokes correspond
also to the three roads by which the Ausrians can
fall back on Milan in the event of being too
closely pressed at either point by the combined
forces of the French and Sardnans For the
III IprSf linz Of tl,a &C.
try which at this time possesses peculiar interest
we published yesterday description of Piedmont
from the London Times. We have nothing to add
TO that lucid sketch, except the remark that the
portion of Northern Piedmont which is now occu-
pied by the Austrian troops, contains no strong
defensive positions, and being for the most part a
level plain, is intersected by numerous canals
which are used for purposes of irrigation,
and is interspersed with marshes and marshy
grounds which constant source of malaria.
The first division of the Austrians appears to be
concentrating on the Sessia, and probably near to
Vercelli, on the direct road from Milan, which is
about thirty miles dstant-the same road leading
enthusiastically to Turin, which is some forty
miles distant from the point referred to- The
town of Novara, which the Austrians are said to
have occupied, is an old irregularly built
town, situated twenty-eight miles due west
from Milan, and ten miles west of the
Ticino river. 1t contains about sixteen thou
sand inhabitants, and it was near to this
place that the Austrians commanded by
Marshal RADETsKY, signally defeated the Sar-
dinian army under CHARLES ALBERT on the
23d of March, ls49. Mortara, which was
also held at the last advces by the Aus
TRANS, is about twenty-five miles from Milan,
and some ten miles south of the high road
between the former city and Turin, the capital of
Piedmont. Its situation is peculiarly insalubrous,
standing it does in the midst of marshes and IT.
rigated rice grounds and it is said to have derived
its name from its unhealthiness, being originally
called Norris ara, the Altar of Death The bridge
of Bufalora, of which so much mention has been
made of late, is fine granite structure, nine hun
dred and ninety-seven feet in length, supported on
eleven arches of equal size. 1t was commenced by
the French in 1910, during their occupation of
Italy, but remained in an unfinished state until
1929 when the work was resumed at the Joint ex-
pense of Austria and Sardinia 1t was completed
in 1927, and now ranks among the finest works of
its kind in Italy.