Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-09-10
easpsrezPs Band

From . LESTER Of the Romen Corrs-
spOndent Of tbs New York Postl
Your readers viii perhaps remember
an extraordinary scene which took
place in the little fortress Of Cfvfti Cas-
tellana OF 8 certain Sunday Of last
September. They VIII remember the
haste with which the Pspal garrison
Of the fortress pulled down their flag
when they found themselves attacked
in earnest By the Italian troops. They
viii also perhaps remember the edi-
tying Piety with which the zOuaves
read their b~reViaFies, and informed
their foes that swift Judgment was
sure to Overtake them; and the cool
ness with which another set Of the in
habitants Of the tort attempted to fra
ternize with them, and signihed their
willingness to accompany them 70
Rome. These latter gentlemen were
the celebrated GasperOni and his
band, q set of fearful robbers and muir
derers, whom It was, until lately, the
delight of all travellers % visit.
This band, half q century ago, for
years infested the Apbian Way, and
the Papal soldiers were never able to
master them. At last, however, they
pressed the outlaws so hardly that the
latter proposed to relinqUish their
profession, lay down their AIMS and
forever leave the Papai States On con
diti0n Of q ree pardon. The eOadi-
tons were agreed 90, Abbot Psliegrfni
being the representative Of the Papal
Government On the occasion. An
armed force conducted them, IS had
been agreed upon, to Cfvi1i Vecehis,
where they were to set SSH forever
from the estates Of the Church. But
when they arrived there they we're ct
once seized and imprisoned in the
fortress. There they remained some
years, and we've thence removed
20 Civita Castellana. Their i'm
pris0nnent has lasted fOrty-
six years. The government refused to
try them. and sc first treated them
with great rigor; bat Of late their lot
has been comparatively easy. Seven
of the twenty only sFa aOw living,
and the italian government has Just
set them at liberty. GasperOni HIM
self and four Of his companions are in
the hospital Of the Trinita del PeilgFini
here at Rome. The two others were
sent to their native village of S0nninO.
10 the oldest OF the band.
nearly eighty years OF age, but still
remarkably vigorous. None Of the
band were married men. Only one
could write, and 10 him Gasperonf a.
gave the title of his Secretary.
The bandit chief Is a not very distant
relative Of Cardinal Antonelii. and q
nephew Of the Cardinal was Oucs a
member Of the band.
IT 10 else m~s4fou - IT, 49,
he GasperOni family that, In IS22.
young Giacom0 AnsOnelli was obliged
. redeem his own father, who had
allen into the hands Of their trouble
Iome relative. One Of the eaFicztures
which so aff1iet the Vatican Is for sale
{ the k0sks and newspaper stalls. It
; ealle1 ~Ihe Two COUSINS The one
avs to the other: II am so much
to the Italian government fOr
me the pleasure Of seeing you
mes m0re.1 The other replies HIn-
leed, | must thank your EmiReDee
being able to pay you q visit. Had
on left 8 scrap OF paper with regard
, me, should not be Tree to-day
he edict published By Cardinal
Palette against Gssper0ni's
and Is q Of the funniest things in
teKatDr9. The mixture Of pastoral
implicitly, blOOdthiTs5y threatenings
cd sQgar-plum promises which It
r worthy Of an sntedilu-
period Indeed,It was suppressed
the time, and the copy now given
the world has been mOuidering
way in the dark ever since. Casper
ii and his men have been so stared
and run after IN the streets that
are now confined to the hospital
ltil they can be sent cut Of Rome.