Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-02-02
THE BRIGANDS.

THE BRIGANDS.
In 1861 all Italy, from the Alps to
Sicily, was agitated. The bligands
had hitherto existed only in scattered
bands, whose numbers rarely, if ever,
exceeded some thirty or forty men, and
these, too, never ventured far into the
plains, but confined their operations
within very narrow limits. But in 1861
all this was changed, for brigandage
then assumed truly gigantic aspect.
Sallying forth Unexpectedly from the
secluded depths of the pine forests of
the Apennines, they swept down like a
torrent over the peaceful plains beneath.
carrying destruction and ruin in their
operations, and, encouraged by their
rapidly increasing numbers, Gid not
hesitate to attack the hamlets, and even
to mediate an assault on some of the
towns. a6
Of all the provinces of Italy, Basili-
cata had ever been, more than any
other, home for the brigand. From
the mountain fastnessness and forest
depths he could carry fierce and sudden
destruction into the palm beneath; and
in these refugees, too, he could, when
hard beset, bid defiance to pursuit.
But though, as we have already said, it
has always been more or less infested by
brigands, it now appears to have sud-
denly become general rendezvous for
them. They established themselves in
positions of great strength on the
heights of Meifi, from which they
levied blacknail on the surrounding
district.
The leader of this consecrated band
of rufians was the notorious Carmine
Donattelli, better known by his sur
name of Crocco. He was an escaped
convict, a villain of the deepest dye,
and one who would not scruple to dc
anything if it but served his purpose
for the time.
To his daring mind the operations as
hitherto conducted were far too tame
and proftless, and nothing would sat
isfy his ardent longings save an attack
on one of the towns of the province.
The first of these on which his eye
fell was Venosa, town of no great I'M
portance either in size or commerce,
but which possesses a historical interest
from its having been the birthplace of
the Roman poet Horace. The inhabi-
tants, warned of their danger, set about
making preparations for the defence Of
the town. The National GUARDS, who
were posted in the neighboring hamlets
were recalled, and every available
means Of defense was put in requisi-
ton. Barbados were erected In the
streets leading to the gates of the
town, and the outer was strengthened
as far as could possibly be done in such
a short space of time.
For some days it seemed as If the re-
port of tie intended attack by the brig
ands had been but an idle rumor, for
there was no appearance of them, nor
any news of their approach; and the in
habitants were beginning to be lulled
into state of fancied security. From
This they were destined, however, 80 be
speedily and terribly aroused. -
On the morning of the 10th of April,
a party of the National Guard had pro-
ceeded some little distance from the
town for the purpose Of accommodating,
when they were met by crowd OF
peasants, laden with their household
goods, and hurrying with all possible
speed towards Yenosa. On being inter
rogated by the troops, they informed
them that they were betaking them
selves to the shelter of the Town, as the
brigands, laying the country waste in
their progress, were rapidly approach
ing venosa. Their tale was more than
confirmed by other parties bound on
the same errand; and the guards, con-
sidering it would be more prudent to
retire than to risk the chances of con-
fict with superior numbers, made the
best of their way back TO the town, and
prepared to make their position as sc.
cure as possible.
The dreaded foe at length appeared
"a motley crew about five hundred in
number. Had it been possible to
eliminate from ors 's mind the thought
of the brutal cruelties those brigands
practiced, one might have looked with
admiration on the picturesque spectacle,
as they debouched from the shelter Of