New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-10-29
ITALY.


TIE following description of the battle is furnished
by the special correspondent Of Tie London Times,
who himself commanded one Of Garibaldi's brigades:
SANTA MARIA, Oct. >
Yesterday was fought and by Garioaldi the
Battle of the Volturno the greatest battle in point of
Numbers he has fought during his military career
explained TO you IN my former letter how, since
the approach of the PiedUonese forces from the NORTH
the relative positions of the two parties before CapuA
changed As it was before in the Interest OF Gar
ibald to advance continually and rapidly 30 IL was
new TO temporze until the ARRIVAL Of the NelpJtans,
then shut them up in their sefchossn position On
the other hand the Nespoans obliged, by every
consideration to take the offensive and try 10 get out
of the awkward position In which they were, beside
having 10 do with two enemies at a certain distance
from each other. The commonest ralss of strategy
couDseed to throw themselves first the nearest aud
weakest aud try 10 demOlist it.
They had made large pre- operations for it. They con-
oentrated all their available forces from all parts while
they had at the time exerted themselves 10 It'll up
the gaps made by deserol and sickness in the army.
The Royal PTuces and the King himself came to
Capua and 10 the NOltumo TO anmae the troops, while
distributions Of wine were used 70 stimulate loyalty
AID enthusiasm.
As you know already for the last few days there
was a considerable movement observable on our rgdt.
Troops which had passed the Nolturno near Am0rotl
showed on the road TO Maddllon and toward MDsto-
Ia; large concentrations OF troops were observable on
the PoiygOn-an open camp for artillery practice be-
hind tho town Of Capua the other side OF the rver
but as this had been going on for some time without
alarm ard sending backward and forward of troops
most people began give mp the idea of any offensive
intentions the part OF the Neapolitans As for Carl
bald although determined the defensive, it would
have been too much again his nature 70 be there and
do DothDg 70, while keeping on the defensive he was
making preparations to take the offensive at the first
oppOltune moment.
You will remember the heights Of San Angelo and
Bosco di San Vito, from my description of the affair
of the l9th. 1t Ii isoaied long range which runs
from the northwest OF Csssrta toward The VOlturno
passing 10 the left Of the plsin of Santa Maria di
Capua and reaching the VOlturno about two miles 10
the the northeast Of Capua Ii is all along precip
tous mountain on both SIDES, and comes down just as
precipously TO the river, leaving only place
where the road from Capua, skirting the mountain,
runs toward the ScaIfa di Csjszzo.
Well, Gsribadi had looked at that position on the
l9tb and had looked at it almost every day since. 1t
wac lust one of those positions which he hkes-com-
mandrg the country all round, clOse TO tue river,
which is rapid there but narrow good many trees
down In the plain, and plenty of brentwood on the
nights.
Several batteries were ordered to sweep the road
which passes along the Opposite bank Of the river;
trench dug far from the bank of the river to
give good cover 10 rfemeD, ard a number OF barges
brought up from Naples to be in readiness in case
an opportunity offered to cross. AT the came time
considerable number Of troops collected at the
spot. Beside the Brigade SpaDgiro, stationed there
SINCE the 18th there were successivey sent there the
company Of GenOeee Ritiemen, the Brigade Dunn
laiey arrived from Sioly Of the reg ne0ts Of the
Division Medici, and body Of CalabIese volunteers.
The position deserved the attention which was be-
slowed on it, but it had one drswback-it had its left
flank and its lie Of communication with Santa Mana
rather exposed. A glance 81 the may will show you
this The relative positions Of Santa Mari Capua, and
the bights Of San Angelo such that Capua tasust
about the line OF communication between Santa Maria
and the edge OF the nights held tie banks
Of the VoltJrnO. Had it been possible 70 push
quite close 10 Capua from Santa Maria, this danger
would have bean Obviated but there was no equally
good position that aide 10 come up 70 that poin 70
Maria.
On the right the position was tolsrably guarded;
there s indeed, foopath which comes from the rver
ever the hghs at the back Of San Angelo but az nrst
it only accessible 70 sna bodies OF infantry, and
thur the Nights guarded by troops Ga the |
other aide Of the highs Saocs, with his brigade,
guarding the road from Csazzo 70 Cssers and al the
same une occupying the nights Of Casel MOr0ni aud
oDeerVlug the passage al Linat0la To the right again
OF Sacen was BixiO with his brigade and one Of Medl
eis who watched the road coming from
AmoTOu towards Maddalon AU Caterta was Gen.
1Irr, with part Of Ms division.
You must VI US conceive our position f0rraing
large semicICle following the b line along tho Vol
turDo az lar Us Lmstoa and then bending back, Will
Santa Maria, Csssrta and Msddaloni form The chord
oil this arc The arc alone Is from nine 20 ten miles
lille the semicTcle s quite three times that length
Weu on al this long line the Seapohtans attacked |
with all their forces yesterday st dawn.
Ganbaldi &c ususl. started before dawn from Caser
IA bv the railway 70 Santa HaTia When he arrived |
tbe hriDg had already begun. the three places Ca |
pna Santa Maria and the epur OF ST. Angelo, form al
mot an eqailateral triangle, which Il Indicated by th
free ROADS which connect these places. They run |
!, fb little curves alnOst straght-tLat from Capda
ST. Angelo cOse 10 toe river that from Capus TO Sant
aria parallel 10 the railway and that from santa ma,
ria 10 st. Angelo at some distance sr0m the hilh til
close 20 ls latter place. where il Joined by the road
coming from Capus.
This triangle which lie In most parts thickly wooded
with olive and other trees ana has only few open
spots the Eeapoli.aDs had chosen ~ their leId Of oP