Page 26 - General Giuseppe GARIBALDI - english version

24 GENERAL GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI

forest (Mato) that covers a vast area and crowns the peaks of the Serra do
Espigao, which is part of the geographical backbone of Brazil.
The republican general Texeira decided to block the pass to the new
Brazilian invasion, this time with the strength of a large cavalry, precisely
between the narrow passes of the Serra. The main clash took place in the hilly
region of Curitibanos. Texeira made the mistake of dividing his forces into
two columns, while the enemy attacked with all of its united forces pitted
against one of them. From this followed a hard battle, essentially between the
vanguards of the cavalry, where the Rio Grande army of Texeira came out
worst. Meanwhile the infantry of Texeira, of which Garibaldi was part,
advanced, although slowly. Texeira ordered Garibaldi to speed up the march,
attempting to hold back the enemy with the cavalry for a bit longer, attempt-
ing to weaken it with repeated charges. But even with this tactic the Rio
Grande army was soon pushed back and dispersed. Garibaldi, arriving at the
most critical moment of the action, after a quick look at the battlefield and
the situation, understood that the day was compromised and the most urgent
task at that point was to avoid total defeat. With that serene resoluteness that
was always one of his finest qualities as a commander, he put down roots with
part of the forces on a small and very strong rocky high ground that was near-
by and served as a point for the re-forming of the routed troops of Texeira,
and with the rest of the infantry bravely stood up to the chasing enemy cav-
alry. Later he chose a stronger place a mile from there, where he barricaded
his soldiers like in a fort, against which the repeated enemy’s attacks lost
strength once and for all. During the night, with supreme ability and trans-
porting the wounded, the Rio Grande column managed to withdraw in good
order to the edge of the forest and from there return to Lajes, thus escaping
through surprise the enemy’s attempt to pursue them. The march from the
edge of the forest to Lajes though was very painful due to the lack of any
resources and with no other food than plant roots. It was necessary to open
paths with axes through the thick wood often encountering the risk of sink-
ing in the marshy straw of the undergrowth. A great deal of energy proved
necessary to prevent discouragement and desertion. Finally on the fifth day
of the march the best path to Lajes was found in the forest, under the cover
of torrential rain.
In the harsh day of Curitibanos, briefly mentioned for the time being, and
in the hard trials of the following retreat, some very significant characteristics