, 1862-11-08

The Story of Garibaldi's Defeat.
IL. DirttO of Turin, publishes the following
detailed and graphic account of the affah at As
promonte, in which Garibaldi was wounded and
defeated
Garbaldi was in the center of the hill slope
occupied by our columnj be sent officers all along
the front with repeated, express, positive orders
moi to fire, and stood watching with his glass the
royal troops advancing double quick. From the
center they deployed right and left. We also
knew that a column pushing forward from their
right intended to take us in the rear. The Ber-
saglieri were within shot, they had leveled their
pieces all our column perfectly still. Not
one shouts not one shot. The General alone
stood up, with his white gray plaid cloak lined
with red, thrown on his massive shoulders. fol-
lowing the movements of the Royalists with his
spy-glass and from time to time turning to re-
peat the order, "Do not fire" went the round of
the whole line But the troops had on the con-
trary, precise orders to attack. The Bersaglieri
opened fire and moved forward. Nc intimation or
summons preceded the fire, no parlementaire was
sent. The firing increased the bullets hssed on
all sides round our heads. Unfortunately some
Of our raw recruits, unaccustomed to such terrible
sport answered by a few random shots; the
others did not stir. Every one kept his own
ground, some standing, some seated. All
the trumpets gave the signal to stop fire; all
tbo offn rboll fha ord ba
troops, on the contrary, set up the signal "For
ward," and advanced with we'll sustained fire."
The General elways at his post, standing in the
midst of the densest shower of balls, again cried
"Do not fret He was uttering these words
when two bullest struck him; one, spent ball. on
the thigh of the left leg another with full force,
on the ankle of the left foot. Garibaldi at the
moment of being wounded, not only stood
upright, but he assumed a majestic attitudes he
took off his hat, and waving it with his left hand,
he repeatedly cried, "Long live Italy! DO not
fire - Some of the officers nearest to him re-
moved him and laid him under a tree. There
with his habitual calmneSs, he proceeded to give
his orders. The most precise were the following:
our front the fire had ceased Presently Men
notti was brought to the spot He also Lad been
hit by spent ball in the cali of the leg He
was in great pain and unable to stand.
Father and son were laid under one tree (;
group of officers and soldiers had gathered around
the General He had lighted a cigar and was
smoking. He said to all, "Do not fghtw The
officers, questioned by the soldiers, also invara-
bly, answered, "Do not fight" The trumpets too
never ceased from their signal, "Stop fire !" not
for our men, but for the troops which fired as
they advanced, even when they had come and
were mixed with our volunteers. From the first
shot to this moment hardly quarter of an hour
had elapsed Here a strange sight presented it.
self. Friends, relatives, brothers, companions in
recent battles which they had fought for their
father land, met and recognized each other
Some were clad in their red shirt, others in the
regular uniform; and then there was great shak-
ing of hands, embraces, mutual reproach and
upbraidings. especially on the part of the red
shirts, who protested and declared that sail they
wanted was Rome"
Discussion between officers and officers, men
and men, were heard, more of political than a
military nature. The cry of Long live the
Italian army" (viUG eSercito HaIianO) was given
several times by our band, and was received by
some with Indifference, by some with downcast
looks A lieutenant of the staff came forward
before the others and was taken into the presence
of Garibaldi, who looked at him and ordered him
to lay down his sword. He obeyed and stated
that he came parlementaire. But WHY did
he not come before
The General, in a dignifed manner, thus ad-
dressed him: 81 have known for thirty years and
more, longer than you, what war is-know that
parlementaries do not present themselves in this
fashion,"
Some other officers of the Bersaglieri and of
the line were led under the tree where Garibaldi
was seated. He gave orders to take their swords
away; but after some time he ordered them to
be returned to them. All this took place in a
very short space of time, and while the doctors
were examining and binding up the wounds o
the General who continued to smoke. He re-
peatedly asked the doctors if amputation were
necessary, and told them, if it were, not to hes-
tate to perform the operation Immediately. The
doctors replied that it was not necessary.
The General then charged the head of the staff
to send for the commander of the attack. The
lieutenant of the staff sent accordingly returned
after 20 minutes, with Col. Pallavicino. The in
structions of the General were, to treat, because
We did not wish to fight the Italian army"
Col Pallavicino, who also met some old &C.
quaintances of his, declared, in the first place
that he had received positive orders to attack us
in any way, any place. He asked if we acknowl
edged the King. We replied that declarations
were not necessary. Garbaldi's programme, hi
last proclamation fro n Catania, was sufficient.
COL Palavicino began to talk of a surrender.
We replied that surrender was out of the ques
tion, as there had been no fighting, the assailed
not having rturned the FIRE Of the assailants, de