Page 229 - General Giuseppe GARIBALDI - english version

FROM THE STRAITS TO THE VOLTURNO 227

ately. Only on the morning of the 9 th did General Gandini reached Naples
with his men, two days after the solemn entrance of the Dictator.
He boarded the train in Vietri, arrived in the capital at midday, and,
accompanied by Cosenz, Bertani, Nullo and other two officers, he crossed
the rejoicing city in an open coach while all ships hoisted the tricolour and
fired salvoes.
«A unique method of conquest – said Guerzoni – an almost divine prodi-
gy of an idea for which the faith of a naive and smiling Hero is enough to dis-
perse the armies, destroy fortresses and overthrow thrones».
And, while the victorious commander entered the capital of his enemy as
he were its lord and master, the forts were still occupied by the royal forces
and units of troops still loyal to the king crossed the city to reach Capua: as,
for instance, the 9 th of the line regiment, who under the lead of Colonel De
Liguoro marched with flying colours, some units of the 6 th and of that 1st
regiment defeated at Villa S. Giovanni. These were examples of proud devo-
tion in such a catastrophe that cannot leave us indifferent, especially when we
realize that those soldiers, too, were Italians.
As soon as he assumed power as Dictator, Garibaldi established a ministry
in which Liborio Romano and general Cosenz participated. Sirtori was
appointed deputy dictator of the Neapolitan continent; Türr became military
commander of Naples. On board of the Maria Adelaide, the Bourbon navy
officers swore to be faithful to Victor Emmanuel and the three vessels of the
royal navy in the harbour changed their names from Monarca, Borbone and
Farnese into Re Galantuomo, Garibaldi and Italia.
The Albertine Statutes were proclaimed, political prisoners were released,
a jury for penal causes was established, the public debt acknowledged.
By these and other provisions, through which he tried to face the many
urgent needs, the dux of the revolution ideally united the conquered king-
dom and the Sardinian State and the loyalty of this conqueror paid its first
tribute to the sovereign in whose name he had begun his undertaking sailing
off from Quarto.
But not all things went favourably and the political and military situation
had to be necessarily considered as very delicate. Much had been done and
the achievement had gone well beyond the most optimistic expectations, but
much had still to be done and the Dictator needed to solve many serious and
urgent matters.