Page 173 - General Giuseppe GARIBALDI - english version

THE 1860 CAMPAIGN IN SICILY 171

their fire and fell back to the reinforcements. Garibaldi’s soldiers, for their part,
enthralled by their enthusiasm, continued their advance, crossed the gorge and
reached the foot of Piante di Romano hill, where they stopped in a blind cor-
ner to escape the enemy’s fire.
The mountain was sort of covered with banks and terraces bordered with
agave plants and strengthened with small dry walls. Once they resumed their
advance, Garibaldi’s soldiers laboriously conquered one terrace after the other,
always under the strong fire of their enemies. By contrast, their fire was poor; the
Genoese and some Sicilian from the squads fired some good volleys with their
good carbines. From Calatafìmi other five companies, one cavalry platoon and
two pieces arrived as reinforcements for the royal troops; the rest of the army
remained in the town «to keep that retreat position of vital importance».
The fight became relentless, «very hot», as Landi later wrote. Garibaldi came
slowly down from Mount Pietralunga, wrapped in his poncho, with his sabre
sheathed and slung across his shoulder. The fray had spread in spite of his inten-
tions, but now he could not fail his advanced echelon; he therefore moved
Carini’s other two companies and Bixio’s battalion to the right side and left side
of the advanced echelon, respectively, and went with his troops. A bullet direct-
ed to him struck Major Elia in the mouth just when he was exhorting him not
to expose himself too much. Elia fell with his mouth full of blood, and
Montanari, Schiaffino, Nullo, Manin, Sirtori, Stocco, Missori, Majocchi,
Menotti and many others fell dead or injured around their commander. There
was a moment when also Bixio hesitated and expressed to Garibaldi his doubt
whether it was better to disengage from the fight and withdraw. «No – the com-
mander replied calmly – either we make Italy or we die!». And, brandishing his
sabre and shouting «long live Italy!» he was the first to rush off on the last crag.
Sforza had in vain sent messenger after messenger to ask Landi for reinforce-
ments; no one came. By then, the royal forces were also short of cartridges; they
resorted to using stones, and a big stone hit Garibaldi on his left shoulder. The
flag of the Mille waved in the first ranks and then disappeared, because
Schiaffino, the sailor standard bearer, had been killed. Soldier Giuseppe De
Vita from the Vili Cacciatori seized the flag and brought it to his commander;
the scout Damiani had just the time to grab one ribbon from it that he kept.
Meanwhile Orsini was able to put his culverin in the battery and fire some
volleys that caused some confusion among the Bourbons. One of their can-
nons, after killing one of the Sacchi’s brothers, was seized by Enrico Cairoli
and three other students from Pavia.