The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-11-10
Garibsldf, the Italians and shs Bette
OF Caserta.


OF Caserta.
We publish In another column two very in
tertstine private letters, one OF which Is from
DO less parsonage than the Italian hero GAR
baldi, and the other from General Avezzana
who commanded the right wing Of his army at
the memorable battle of Caserta, fought on the
LAT DAY of October
We have hitherto had no such concise and
espbic description Of that engagement as ia
gwen, with soldieriike simplicity. by the brave
Avezzana in that letter to his friend. Avezz Al
vas one Of the Triumvirste of Rome prior to
the troubles which led to bis coming over to
this country with his friend Garibaldi, twelve
years ago. Garibaoi returned but Avezzana
remained till within q few weeks of the
date at which be writes, when he left for
Europe, and on the day after his ar
rival at Naples be went TO the camp OF
hs old friend, who. 70 use his own language,
embraced him like brother, and, exclaiming,
"You are just in time" at once gave him the
command, which led, few days afterwards,
TO bis occupying 20 prominent position in the
field Of Caserta. Here. with a force of less
han two thousand men. he succeeded in keep
ing at bay five times that number Of royalists
til the fortuitous arrival of Garibaldi the
prestige of whose name acted almost msgically
upon bis troops, az. leading them forward with
the ardor Of desperate but sapguine patriot,
he charged the enemy at the point
Of the bayonet, and not only suo-
ceeded In putting them to flight, but in
makiog seven thousand prisoners and cap
turing many pieces Of artillery, besides dis
banding and dispensing large number that
fled for refuge to the mountains. Avezzans
may well cay that this was q glorious day for
the cause of Italian liberty. for his own dear
country. The importance of this battle has
hardly been sufficiently estimated. 1t was the
eliminating point Of the campaign, and exer-
cised vast influence over Italian destiny. It
was Garibaldis grandest triumph; for If that
battle had been lost he would have been lost,
and the descend ant of the Bourbons would have
returned to his capital in triumph. 1t was for
tunate, indeed, that the cause Of liberty pre-
vailed over the immense difficulties that beset
its defenders. 1t seemed as though Providence
exercised q controlling influence over the
events relating to 1t, for since the age of Hanni
bal no greater victory has been achieved, al
though more imposing battles have been fought
= 1t ia refreshing thus TO see the champions Of
liberty standing out in bold relief against the
despotism Of the past. Time Is the svenger,
and In Italy Garibsldi has been Its medium
its instrument 1t is useless to say that Victor
Emanuel, through him, has infringed the public
law Of Europe. What Is the basis Of that public
law? We're the treaties upon which II Is founded,
ending with that Of Vienna equitable, or were
they exactly the reverses All who have read
the history Of the time must admit that they
were outrageous licenses of war and violence
against the will or without the consent Of the
subject; and therefore Gsribsldi is justified in
the breach of anything founded upon anything
so questionable, provided he does not
damage the real interests of his country.
Ruseia may protest and Prussia tremble, but
Gsribaldi may still be in the right; for did not
they acquire their own territories by little LEES
than plumber, and In violation Of the public
law then existingf
We have said enough to justify the great
emancipstor Of Italy. Let him finish the grand
work he has begun. He has our warmest sym.
pathies and not ours only, but those Of all
who love and value the liberty given them
by their Creator.