Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-09-21
Story Of q Young Italian VOLUNTEER.

An interesting story is told OF one OF Carl.
baldi's volunteers. Two or three DAYS be-
fore the dctator's departure from Palermo
for Melazzo, he reviewed the crops of Major
Sicoli, just arrived from Genoa. In the
ranks he observed a small, pale and beard
less boy, who had scarcely strength enough
to raise his musket to his shoulder Carl
baldi ordered him with surprise, and little
of severity, TO advance from the ranks. He
inquired his age, and the boy answered with
blush, seventeen, although in fact, he did
not appear more than fourteen, and certain
ly was not the age he gave himself. The
general complained to Major Sicoil that the
Piedmontese committee should send him
such secruits, to which the major replied
that The committee no doubt thought that
the patriotism of the volunteer was compens-
alton for his want of age. oh, yes, that's
it, said Garibaldi, with humor, 'and the next
thing is l shall be charged with the abduet.
ion of minors The young volunteer stood
trembling, with his eyes to the ground.
Your place is not here said the dictator
roughly go back to school = The vol
unteer blushed to his eyes, when Garibald
added with more mildness in bis voice, You
see that your gun is too heavy for your
small arms, give it to your neighbor, we
have no arms to spare Garibaldi gave the
order that the young volunteer should be
sent back, with some others who were found
in the same condition, by the steamer but
when the moment of departure arrived, the
young volunteer was nowhere to be found.
All that was known of him was that his
IL 4
was that son of a lawyer, in Main. Moth
ing more was thought Of him for the mo-
ment.
On the 10th and 18th of July two partial
engagements took place between the troops
of Col Medici and the enemy near Barcel-
Iona. 1t was then that Medici sent 10
Palermo for Garibaldi, in anticipation ofthe
battle which took place Immediately after
at Melazzo. When Garibaldi arrived at
barcelona, he first directed his steps to the
abundance, TO visit the wounded of Medcirs
two skirmiShes, who numbered, perhaps
fifty persons. He stopped with surprise be-
fore the bed OF a beardless boy, whom he
recognized at once as Quinto. Garibaldi
interrogated him MS how lie get there,
wounded, after having been sent off to
Genoa. She boy, more embarrassed than
the first time, made his confession. lie had
scampered across the fields, had gained the
high road 10 Messina, and followed on until
he caught up with the army of Medici.
When Medici sent forward his reconnoiter-
ing party towards Melazzo, and became
engaged with the enemy, Quinio watched
his chance till one of the men fell he then
seized fol III
ments, and bounded forward into the thickest
of the fight. And that's the way, you little
rascal said Garibaldi, smiling, you have
got yourself MANNED. Where is your
wound? AT this question Quinto lost count
enance, but replied, in the back, general
'Oh oh 7 said Garibaldi, with smile of
pity. You see now, coglione, that war is
no child's play. l hope the wound is not
dangerous ? 'Oh, no, only a spent ball..
Garbaldi walked away with a shrug Of the
shoulders. In the back The poor boy
understood the insinuation only too well.
but could not find at the moment a word
with which to justify himself But when
the general was gone he rolled on his bed
of straw, shedding tears of rage and humil-
iation.
The general had seen the young volunteer
for the last time The incidents which ac-
the battle of Melaszo are known.
AT the most critical moment, when the die
tator was engaged in hand-to-hand fight in
his own defense, he saw suddenly re-appear
at his side the young volunteer he had left
the evening before at The ambulance.
What that ga'ntn again ? exclaimed Carl
baldi. But at the same moment the poor
boy made an effort to show his bleeding
breast, and uttering cry worthy of hero |
Of antiquity, This time, general. it Is the
good side J he fell dead Garibaldis feet.