The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-11
VOLUME 80.
4ithmond 1ispatth.
WEDNESDAY. AY.......JULi ii, 1866


Custozza. and show conclusivcly that the
Italian army, which was commanded by
the King and General DELLA MARMoRA,
and numbered from eighty thousand to
ninety thousand men, sustained serious
and disastrous defeat.
|, would appear that the object Of the
Italians in crossing the Mincio and moving
upon the Quadrlatcral was TO seize the
railroad connecting Verona and PcSchicra,
and SO cut the connection between those
two fortrcsseS. The AuStrians, however,
were prepared for an attack, and, after
desperate struggle, which lasted nearly the
whole day, the Imperial army was victo-
rious along the entire line. Several guns
and two thousand prisoners were captured
by the victors, and in the evening Of the
day OF the battle the Italian army was
compcllcd 10 rccross the Minco. The loss
Oh both sides was considerable but the
honor Of the first victory and the pres
The advance of the Italians upon the
imprcgnable Quadrilatcral was highly im-
prudent as Il military manTuvrc, but the
blood Of the army was at fcvcr-heat, and
an Immediate movement was called for.
As it is, boldncsS has failed to be attended
with success, and the King Of Sardinia,
with no prospect of material advantage IN
the event of being victorious, has lost a
pitched battle and placed the very exist
cnce OF his army in jeopardy. Probably,
however, the advance was principally
made 10 keep the Imperial forces conccn-
tratcd and divert their attention from the
army commanded by General CIALDINI,
numbering about sixty thousand men,
which crossed the Po at PolcSclla on the
23d utimo. Having once crossed the Po,
and obtained position at Padua, directly
between the Quadrlatcral and Venice,
CIALDINI would still be exposed to great
danger. The main army Of Italy has been
defeated, and the Austrian General will
naturally turn his whole strength upon the
enemy in his rear. \ battle will in all
probability he fought between the Arch
duke and CIALpISI; and unless the latter
is prepared to withstand the entire Aus
trian force, he runs the risk of being en-
tircly cut off and annihilated despite the
probable cooperation Of the Italian fleet
in covering his right flank.
In Vienna the news of the Imperial VIC
tory has been received with great modera-
tion Of expression, and in Italy the want Of
success in their first attempt seems TO have
ncrvcd the whole people to additional firm
ness and enthusiasm the Italians persua-
ding themselves that if ultimately defeated
the Emperor Of France will have no choice
but TO come 10 their succor.
One Of the most important phases Of the
present position Of affairs in Italy is that
the Austrian victory has been taken as a
pretcxt for urging diplomatic settlement
of the war. The London Times, in an cdi-
torial upon this subject, says:
"If there ever was chance for diplo-
macy to step in with good effect between
the ranks OF the combatants il will be af-
! fordcd now by this inevitable pause in
| military operations. The idea of an event
ual ccSsion OF Ncnctia has been enter
tanned by the Emperor Francis Joseph,
| and il has found an utteranCe in the mode
! rate and digniticd notes and manilcstoS
which have won 50 many partiSans to the
! Austrian cause. Austria, We understood
| her to say, would not yield to threats; she
would stand up in vindication of her
rights She would maintain the prestige
of her military power. II ,ras onlya.tter Il
batle and rictory Mat she coald afford to
| be n,aynQnimonS. All this has come TO pass
much sooner than could be expected.
Three days haze barely elapsed since the de-
clarati0n Of hostHijeS, and .1uStria has al-
reaay totYhther battle and ,ron her rictory.
Enough has been done TO crafty her pride ;
enough To soften her heart toward those
Italians whom she has found upon cXpe-
rience to be no contemplate enemies, and
whom, she must he aware, it is always III
her power to turn into very staunch and
very valuable friends. By merely open
ing negotiations for the ccSsion OF Fenc-
tia, Austria would dctach Italy from the
Prussan alliance and be enabled at once
10 move from south to north two hundred
Thousand of her best German troops with
an immense amount Of m0teria. All the
successes achieved by Prussia in northern
Germany during the last week would be
more than counterbalanced by this sudden
and enormous accession Of strength to her
| already powerful adversary. Indeed, PruS-
sia would at once find herself in the pre-
! sencc of SUCH fearful odds that it may be
! questioned whether she would any longer
feel equal to the contest"
Icnctia properly belongs 10 Italy, and
! in course of time cannot fail 10 be ccdcd
, to that kingdom. II Austria will give
way at once she can insure her own
! terms with Prussia, and then, although
twenty or thirty minor States may be
swept out OF independent existence, the
government and partition Of Germany can
be established upon sure and lasting
basis.
GARIBAIDI is said to be between
Como and Gorda with eighteen thou
sand volunteers, observing the valleys
by which the Austrians might de-
bouch into Italy. The larger half OF the
volunteer force, the whole number OF
which is now about forty thousand men. is
at Bari and Barletta, and it is expected
that GARlBALDI-witht these troops and the
Hungarian Legion-will, in conjunction
with the regulars, take ship, to effect a
landing upon the Austrian coast.