The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-08-21
THE BATTLE OF MELAzzo.

The accounts of the battle Of Melazzo, Sicily,
state that Garribaldi lost 1872 men, and the Nea-
politans 1 ,232. The Paris Presse publishes let
ter from NJ Alexander Dumas, describing the Ell
gagement of which he was an eye witness The
following extracts:
"At dawn on the Goth all the troops were in
movement to attack the Neapolitans, who had
come out of the fort and village of Melazzo, which
they occupied Malenchini commanded the left;
General Medici and Cosenz the centre; while the
right was composed of few companies only, in
tended to cover the centre and left wing from
surprise. Garibaldi was ia the centre, where the
action was expected to be the sharpest. The firing
began on the left from the Neapolitan outposts,
concealed in reed-bed half way between Meri
and Melazzo L quarter of an hour later the
centre attacked the Neapolitan line, and drove it
from it's first position. The right meanwhile dis
lodged the Neapolitans from some houses which
they occupied AS the difficulties of the ground
prevented renforcements from arriving, Bosco,
with 5000 men, turned upon the 500 or 900 who
had driven him back. The latter were at first
obliged to retire before the superior numbers of
the enemy; but when other troops came up to their
aid, they again attacked the enemy, many of whom
were still concealed among the reeds and pro-
tected by the fig trees, that charge with the
bayonet was impossible
Medici, while advancing at the head of his men,
had horse killed under him. Cosenz was struck
in the neck by spent ball. and fell; he was for a
moment supposed to be MORALLY wounded, but he
was only stunned, and almost instantly he was on
his legs again, shouting "TtUaP Hdttd :" Carl
baldi, at the head of the Genoese Carbineers and
some Guides, attempted to take the enemy in the
flank, but suddenly came on gun placed IN the
centre of the road, and which he determined to
attack When within 20 PAGES, the cannon, load
ed with grape, was fired by the Kings troops
The effect was terrible; only or men remained
standing. Garibad had part of his boot and his
stirrup carried away; his horse was also wounded,
and he was compelled to alight. Major Breda and
his trumpeter killed by his side; Misoris
horse fell dead under him; Statella was lett stand
ing unhurt in the midst of the iron storm; all the
others were killed or wounded. The gun which
had done all this mischief was taken soon after
Then the Neapolitan infantry opened and gave
passage to a charge of 50 cavalry for the purpose
of retaking the piece. Col. Demons men, who had
been but little under fire. threw themselves to the
side of the road instead of receiving the charge
on their bayonets. The cavalry came like whirl-
wind, the Sciians firing from both sides. Thus
assailed, both right and left, the commander Of
the Neapolitan cavalry stopped, and wanted to
turn back, but found the passage barred by Gen.
Garibaldi, Misor Statella, and FIVE or six men
The General seized the officers bride and cried
out Surrender" The officer replied with blow
of his sabre, which Garibaldi parred, and by
back stroke cut the officers cheek open The lat
ter fell from his horse Meanwhile, three or four
sabres raised against the General who woun-
ded one Of his assailants with the thrust of his
sabre, while Misori killed two others and the
horse of the third with his revolver. Statea
brought down antagonist, while another, who
sprang at Misori's throat, killed by the fourth
shot of his revolver. While this struggle was
drawing to close Garibaldi rallied his scattered
men. CHARGED with them and either took or killed
the rest of the fifty horsemen. Seconded by his
centre, he next charged the Neapolitans Bavarians
and Swiss, with the bayonct. The Neapolitans
fed at once, but the Bavarians and Swiss made
short stand before they gave way This decided
the fate of the day.