The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-11-13
THE BATTLE OF voLTURNo.

A correspondent who was present at the battle,
gives the following graphic description of the rela-
tive position OF the two armies and of the battle
I | started for San-Angelo when heard the voice
Of cannon. and arrived in time Two battalions,
commanded by Castellini, were attempting to throw
bridge over the Volturno. Protected by Mon
te's artillery, they advanced by covered road,
and succeeded in launching two boats but the
enemy perceived the maneuvre. Immediately the
right bank as if by magic, was covered by royalist
troops, and terrible fire opened against the
batteries of San Angelo, and against the Garibal-
dams attempting to make the bridge. They were
obliged to retreat. San Angelo opened its guns
and replied with good effect. But this was simply
an overture to the great event that to come off
on the 1st. .-tr- a-zs-sr...rz
| At halfpast six o'clock sharp fire of musketry
commenced, and the cannon soon began to roar
with fury. The population showed great excite
ment, and every one prepared for defence. I
fastened to the spot, and arrived just as the roy
alists crossing the fifteen arches of rail-
way, chasing the Garibaldians before them. At
eight o'clock the former were already at Santa
Maria, near the walls of the Campan Amphi-
theatre.
While General Ritucci was carrying out this
movement, Garibaldi, who had arrived on the scene
of battle, ordered analogous He ordered
Malenchini's regiment to leave San Tama,o on his
left, to leave Santa Maria by the rear and threw it
into the fields which the royalists had to cross.
The latter thus found themselves taken between
two columns of Garibaldians, shut up between the
railway and the road and completely surrounded.
The Seventh Regiment of Chasseurs was annihila-
ted, with the exception of thirty five men, an adu-
tant, major, and Capt. Perreili, who were made
prisoners. 1t is quite impossible for to describe
the terrific obstinacy of the struggle, and the real
and calm courage Of the men engaged
I went throTlph fha whole ca,nnaion in Tou,
hardy, l was present at Magenta and Soferino and
yesterday | fancied [ was there again. Three
times the positions of the Garibaldians taken
and re-taken at the point of the bayonet. The
grape swept men down numerically. No quarter
was asked or given With mine own eyes saw
wounded bayonetted and the stilletto and
pistol used in fight that commenced with the
rife. Except the Sicans and the Neapolitans
of the city of Naples, every man did his duty with
enthusiasm. strange circumstance, if we con-
slider the character of the Italians, they fought
without uttering shout, almost in silence. 1t was
lovely day, the sun shining in all its glory, and
the ground adorned with rich produce.
At noon the tide Of battle turned in favor of the
Garibaldians.
Fresh battallions and new guns came up from
Caserta and Naples and joined in the battle The
Garibaldians, when the battle commenced, were
not 10000 strong; they had now $1,000 men in
watched every phase of the battle, keeping 1000
men in reserve his left to throw himself into
Capua if the vicissitude should offer him a pro-
pitious opportunity. He was much moved, red
and wet from perspiration, and his voice altered by
emotion
At the bridges of La Valle behind the hills of
Maddaloni, Bixio had definitely driven back the
royalists who had taken and re-taken that position
Near San Lucio, Affanats column had prevented
he royaliStS no ~ With tboT
and Calabrians, Col. Corte had bravely supported
the combaants of Santa Maria, and kept the ere
my in check, who might have forced passage by
San Tamaro, left open by the movement Of brave
General Malenchn on the right Five guns were
taken from the enemy, with their mules and ac-
coutrements. Prisoners and wounded in great
numbers began to arrive at Santa Maria and were
Immediately sent on by railway to Caserta. A
great number of officers were killed or wounded
The Slcillians made great noise and did little
fighting. The National Guard of Santa Maria was
on foot, but, having prudently placed their flag in
the guard house, closed the doors and windows
At noon the of the cannon ceased. The
fire of musketry at the Archi of Santa Maria con-
tnued undated. A smile began to play upon the
lips and the color to reappear in the cheeks of
many patriots. At this moment was told a train
was leaving for Naples. 1 left the outposts to
write you account of this portion of the battle
the first act Of the capture of Capua.
The police ordered Naples to be umined to-
night in honor of the capture Of Capua, but the
news is not confirmed
The King of Naples commanded in person,
dressed in plain clothes. He was continually seen
under fire. Garibaldi, as usual, was everywhere,
especially where the danger was greatest.
We have 1900 men hors de combat. The loss
of the royalists is about 5000.
The battle lasted from halfpast three in the
morning till seven in the evening. 1t is evident
that this formidable attack was the last effort of
Francis III, who, had he been victorious, would
have marched on the capital.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE
At about midday the patriots were driven back
everywhere, and considered the battle as lost
Garibaldi alone, who commanded 10 person, was of
contrary opinion, and, under terrible fire from
the enemy, he wrote dispatch announcing full
success. lie then declared to his soldiers, who
thought themselves vanquished, that they were
victors and they believing him, attacked the royal
lists with such impetuosity that at three o'clock in
the afternoon the latter gave way, and were pur-
sued at the point of the bayonet right into Capua.
Mere boys rushed on men and killed them There
was an appalling massacre-the patriots being ex-
asperated-but the number of killed has not yet
been ascertained. Garibaldi narrowly escaped
being killed. He was returning in carriage
from San Angelo to Santa Maria, when he was all
at once fired on from an anibuscade; the vehicle
was rdded with balls, and some of his escort were
killed, but he not touched, and he made the
nta4h r.