Page 118 - General Giuseppe GARIBALDI - english version

116 GENERAL GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI

And that was, in fact, the case.
“Citizens’ Regents – said the general to the Republic’s authorities - my
troops, followed by Austrian forces outnumbering them and prostrated with
the fatigue and hardship of crossing mountains and ravines, can no longer
fight, therefore it was necessary to cross your border to find some rest for a
few hours and to get some food. They will lay down their arms in your
Republic, where at present the Roman war for the independence of Italy ceas-
es. I come to you as a refugee; as such, give me hospitality”.
And hospitality was granted, while it was agreed that the government of
San Marino would mediate with the Austrian commanders to obtain guaran-
tee of safety for those who would lay down their arms.
What remained of Garibaldi’s column flocked into the city and received
hospitality in the Capuchin monastery; sitting on the steps of that very
monastery, the general wrote his last order:
«Soldiers!
«We are on a territory that has granted us hospitality and we must behave
in the best possible way to honour our generous hosts. In this way we will
deserve the consideration received for the disgrace we suffered. “Soldiers, I
release you from the commitment to accompany me, go back to your hous-
es, but remember that Italy must not remain in slavery and falsehood”.
In the meantime, the Regents of the Republic negotiated with the
Austrians, who requested as essential condition that the legionnaires imme-
diately lay down their weapons and that Garibaldi and his wife set sail for
America. No guarantee was however given; and not only that, what was
agreed would not have been considered valid if General Gorzkowski, resident
in Bologna, had not previously ratified it. As he knew about these conditions,
Garibaldi decided not to accept them; but he had to conceal his thought not
to create problems to the Republic sheltering them; he expressed his thought
only to a few loyal people - Bassi, Ciceruacchio, Forbes and a few others -
and they agreed with his decision to escape. Anita despite her husband
entreaties to stay wanted to go with them in this last, desperate undertaking.
st
On the morning of August 1 , the following notice was delivered to San
Marino’s Regents: «Citizens and representatives of the Republic, the condi-
tions imposed by the Austrians are unacceptable, and therefore we will move
out of your territory. G. Garibaldi».
At that time, the general and his small group of friends (about 260) were