Page 316 - General Giuseppe GARIBALDI - english version

298 GENERAL GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI

“A rearguard also very important with respective guides to provide any
useful information will be behind at a considerable distance.
“This rearguard will never leave behind a single person from the columns
a single cart or gear.
“The artillery and the ammunitions will march at the centre of the
columns.
“The equipment, food etc. can be carried in the front and at the rear of
each respective column.
“The commanders of the column are recommended to keep good order that
together with the valour of our soldiers must gain the respect of the populations.
“Monterotondo 2 nd November 1867
G. Garibaldi».
«The Head of General Staff S.M. - N. Fabrizi».

The situation of the strength of Menotti’s corps on the morning of the 3 rd
was of about 6,500 men present. Of these, apart from the Paggi column
(900) men shared between Montecelio, S. Angelo and Palombara, those far
from Mentana were the XIV battalion (Marini) of the Salomone column that
was in Tivoli with Colonel Pianciani (300 men) and the two flying compa-
nies of Major Andreuzzi column (200 men) who were in Castelnuovo di
Porto, on the right of the Tiber.
The total of absent men was about 1,400: with Garibaldi there were 5,100
men available 377 of which (XX battalion Bernini, of the Elia column) had
to remain and did remain in Monterotondo to man the stronghold, so that
about 4,700 men were in fact present in the march in formation.
Maybe these are not very precise numbers, but even if one wants to believe
that the number of Garibaldians were intentionally decreased, one must
remember that desertions were continuing and in large numbers, so much so
rd
that Barilli states that at 14:00 of the 3 , the grenadiers had already dis-
armed 2,000 volunteers at Passo Corese while they were returning within the
border of the Kingdom. These were obviously not returning from the battle,
because there are 14 km as the crow flies between Mentana and Passo Corese,
while the action only started at about 12:30.
Between 11:30 and 12:00 since the column was late in starting the march,
Garibaldi ordered the immediate departure; the distance from the vanguard
will be regained on the way. He places himself at the head of the main body
of soldiers going through the volunteers’ line at a gallop, unusual behaviour