Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-09-26
STATEMENT OF GEN. GARIBALDI,
The following letter from General q Garibaldi,
relating TO the unhappy conflict at Aspromonte,

STATEMENT OF GEN. GARIBALDI.
The following letter from General q Garibaldi,
relating to the unhappy conflict at Aspromonte,
will be read with interest:
.OS BOARD THE DUKE OF GESoA, Sept1.
"They thirsted for blood, and wished to
spare IL. Not the poor soldier who obeyed, but
the men OF the clique who cannot forgive the
revolution for being the revolution-it is that
which disfurbs their conservative digestion
and for Ia wing contributed TO the re-establisl-
ment OF our Italian family.
" fes, they thirsted for blood; perceived IL
with sorrow, and endeavored in consequence
10 the utmost 10 prevent that Of our assailants
from being shed.
"l ran 10 the front of our line, crying ont 10
them not to hre, and from the center to the left,
where my voice and those of my aide s-de-canp
could be heard, not trigger was pulled. II
was not thus on the attacking side. Having
arrived at distance Of 900 meters, they began
q tremendous fire, and the party of Bersaglieri,
whowere in front of me directing their shots
seainst me, struck me with two balls. one in
ankle Of the right foot, making a serious
wound. s.t :. ..... - ..... ~, Lea. go
GAS all this happened at the opening of the
conflict, and was carried TO the skirt of the
wood after being wounded, i could see nothing
more. thick crowd having formed around me
while my wound WAS being dressed. 1 feel
certain, however, that mp to the end of the line
which was az my litter, and to that of nv aides
de-camp, not q single muslset was fired. As
there was no firing on onr side, il was easy for
the troops 10 approach and mingle with ours;
and, when L was told that they wished to dis
arm us, replied that the men might dsarm
themselves. The intentions of nv companions
were, however, SO little hostile, that only by
fhis disarmed In the crowd some officers and
regular soldiers.
at was not so our right. The Picciotti
attacked by the regular troops, replied by a fire
upon the whole line, and, although the trumpet
sounded 10 cease firing, there was at that spot a
smnrt fusllade, which lasted not more than a
quarer of an hour.
'My wounds led to some confusion in our
liGe. Our soldiers, not seeing me, began to
retreat into the wood, that little by little the
GROVE round me broke up, and the most faithful
alone remained. At this moment learned that
my SIAN and Colonel PaIlavicino who COM
manded the regular troops, Were negotiating
upon the following considerations: First, that
L should be free with my staff to withdraw
where pleased; 1 replied, sOn board an Eng.
lish vessei;) second, that, having arrived at
the sea shore, the rest of my companions should
be set at liberty. Colonel Pallivicino conducted
himself as yalorsus and intelligent chief in all
his military movements. and he has not been
wanting In respect or courtesy towards me and
my people. He showed his grief in having to
shed Italian blood, but he had received peremp-
tory orders and had to obey them. -.
My arrangements had been purely defensive,
and had hoped TO avoid a conflict, seeing the
very strong position that occupied, and en-
tertaining the hope thai the regular troops had
received orders less sanguinary. If had not
been wounded at the outset, and if my people
had not received the order under all circurx-
stances TO avoid any collision whatever with
the regular troops, the contest between men
OF the same race would have been terrible
However, far better as it is Whatever
may be the result of my wounds, what
ever fate the Government prepares for me-
nave the consciousness Of having done my
duty; and the sacrifice of my life is very little
thing If II has contributed 10 save that of great
number Of my fellow countrymen.
In the hazardous enterprise in which / and
my companions had thrown ourselves, with
heads bent, hoped nothing good from the
Government Of Rattazzi. But why should
not have hoped for less rigor on the part of the
King, having altered in nothing the old pro-
gramme. and having decided not to alter it at
any price (! What afiiicts me most is this fatal
distrust, which contributes not q little TO
the incompleteness of national unity. However
ii may be, L once again present to Italy a serene
front, assured OF having done my duty. Once
more my unimportant life and the more pre-
clous ones OF so many generous young men
have been offered as a holocaust to the holiest
OF causes-pure from all vile and personal in.
terests. q. GARIBALDI."