Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-01
WOttrster Dailp Syn

Garib0idPs Misfortune at AsprOmOnte.
The following letter from Gen. Garibaldi
himself, relating to the unhappy conflict at
Aspromonte, was sent by the General to the
Morimento, of Genoa:
On BOARD THE DUKE OF GENOA, Sept. l,
They thirsted for blood and Wished to spare
1t, speak not of the poor soldier who obeys,
but the men of the clique who cannot forgive
the revolution for being the revoution-a fact
which dlsturbs their conservative digestion
and for having contributed to the re-establish-
ment of our Italian family. Yes, they thirst
ed for blood; perceived it with sorrow, and
L endeavored in consequence to the utmost to
TO prevent that OF our aasailants from being
shed.
passed along the front of our line crying
out to them not to fire, and from the centre to
the left, where my voice and those of my aid
de-camp could be heard, not trigger was
pulled 1t was not thus on the attacking side
Having arrived at distance of two hundred
metres, they began tremendous fire, and the
party of Bersaglieri who were in front of me.
directing their shots against me. struck me
with two balls-one in the left thigh, not seri
Gus, the other in the ankle of the right foot,
making serious wound.
As all this happened at the opening of the
conflict, and | was carried to the skirt of the
wood after being wounded, l could see moth
ing more, dense crowd having formed
around me while my wound was being dressed.
feel certain, however, that up to the end of
the line which was within my reach, and that
OF my Md-de-camp, not single musket was
fired. As there was no firing on our side, it
was easy for the troops to approach and min
gle with ours, and whenI was told they wished
to disarm us, l replied that they should be
themselves disarmed. The intentions of nv
companions were, however, so little hostile,
that L only succeeded in having few officers
and soldiers of the regulars disarmed
1t was not so on our right. The picciotti
attacked by the regular troops, replied by a
fire along the whole line, and, although the
trumpets sounded to cease firing, there was at
that spot a smart fusilade, which, however
lasted not more than quarter of an hour.
My wounds led to some confusion in our line.
Our soldiers, not seeing me, began to retreat
into the wood, so that little by little the crowd
round me broke up, and the most faithful
alone remained. AT this moment | learned
that my staff and Col. Pallavicni, who COM
manded the regular troops, were negotiating
upon the following conditions: First, that
should be free with my staff to withdraw where
pleased q replied, Son board an English
vesseL") Second, that having arrived at the
sea shore, the rest of my companions should
be set at liberty. Col. Palavicini conducted
himself as a gallant and intelligent officer in
all his military movements, and he has not
been wanting in respect or courtesy toward
me and my people. He showed his grief at
having to shed Italian blood; but he had re-
ceived peremptory orders, and had to obey
them. My arrangements had been purely de-
fensive, and | had hoped to avoid a conflict,
seeing the very strong position | occupied,
and entertaining the hope that the regular
troops had received orders less sanguinary.
Ii had not been wounded at the outset,
and if my people had not received the order
under all circumstances to avoid any collis-
ion whatsoever with the regular troops, the
contest between men of the same race might
have been terrible. However, it is far better
as it is. Whatever may be the result of my
wounds, whatever fate the government pre-
pareS for me, l have the consciousness of hay-
ing done my duty; and the sacrifice of my
life is very little thing if it has contributed
to save that of a great many of my fellow
countrymen.
In the hazardous enterprise into which l
and my companions had thrown ourselves
headlOng, expected nothing good from the
government of Rrattazzi. But why should |
not have hoped for less rigor on the part of the
KING, having altered IN nothing the ola pro-
gramme, and having decided not to alter it at
any price? What affects me most is this IA
tai distrust, which contributes not little to
leave the national uuity incomplete How
ever it may be, once again present myself
to Italy with head erect, assured of having
done my duty. One more my unimportant
life and the more precious lives of so many
generous young men have been offered as
holocaust to the hottest of Causes-pure from
vile personal interests. g. GARIBALDI.