Page 190 - General Giuseppe GARIBALDI - english version

188 GENERAL GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI

shirts. The population already believed that Garibaldi was a saint, a descen-
dant of the Sinibaldi family, the family of Saint Rosalia, patron saint of the
city. The patriotic fervour of the clergy had made this legend take roots and
spread. Now even the Neapolitan troops believed that he was a demon, or
anyway a privileged being, supported by an occult power, against whom it
was vain to fight and impossible to win, and all the more so in that he was
reported to keep away the bullets with his whip.
May 30 th - Mechel, returning from Corleone, at 10am showed up at
Palermo’s gates. He ran the blockade of the barricades at Porta Termini,
defended by Carini and arrived in Piazza Fieravecchia, where Sirtori had
rushed with as many people as he could gather, but not so many to represent
a serious obstacle. From there, Piazza Pretoria, Garibaldi’s headquarters, was
at a distance of not even one kilometre, and the road was clear. To reach the
place with fixed bayonets wasn’t difficult.
But on the morning Lanza had written to Garibaldi, informing him that
the English admiral would volunteer as mediator for a meeting among two
generals of the royal forces and Garibaldi, and asking whether he would
accept it, and, if he would, to “indicate at what time the armistice should
start”. Garibaldi accepted the meeting and a truce was agreed for 1pm. A
providential truce, indeed, as Mechel could not advance anymore!
On board of the Hannibal, commanded by Admiral Mundy, Garibaldi,
dressed as a Piedmontese general, and Crispi met with Generals Letizia and
Chrétien and the commandants of the French, American and Sardinian ships
anchored in the harbour.
The conference was quite stormy. For the time being, it was agreed to have a
24-hour truce. Then, after a lively discussion, four articles concerning the keep-
ing of positions, and the evacuation of the injured among the royal forces, etc.,
were approved. Garibaldi refused to approve the fifth, according to which the
municipal authorities had to present a humble petition to the King in which they
had to express the real needs of the city. “I am the municipal authority! - He
replied - and I refuse to give my consensus”. And once back in the city, from a
balcony of the Pretorio Palace (Magistrate Court), he informed the population:
“Our enemy offered a truce. I have accepted those parts that humanity dictated
I should accept; but among the proposals there was one, a humiliating request for
this brave population of Palermo, that I rejected with contempt. The outcome of
my conference of today is that hostilities will be resumed tomorrow. My com-
rades and I are happy to fight with the children of the Vespers the final and deci-
sive battle!» An immense, terrible cry of war rose from the people and echoed in