Page 324 - General Giuseppe GARIBALDI - english version

306 GENERAL GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI

out and opened fire, staying out of range of the Garibaldians’ rifles.
st
On the right, Colonel Frémont, with the I battalion of the 1 line regiment
and three companies of Foot Hunters, supported by two pieces, put at their dis-
posal, comes down from Colle Santucci to the Conventino, and from here, cut-
ting across to the right, advances towards Monte S. Croce (S. Croce Mountain)
and Torretta (altitude of 161 NE of Mentana) pushing back the scattered XXI,
XXII, XXIII battalions, reinforced by almost the entire Cantoni’s column con-
fronting them and continues towards Colle Manzi going towards the road to
Monterotondo. But he is again stopped by a counterattack from Colle Manzi
led by Garibaldi in person, or maybe he was not prepared to advance any fur-
ther feeling too isolated and maybe even retreated a bit.
On the left flank, Lieutenant Colonel Sussier with the I battalion of the
29 th Infantry Regiment and one piece of artillery from Le Pianelle goes to the
high ground of Salincerqua, occupied by the Valzania column, that had taken
part in the general counter attack with part of its forces, while the rest that had
remained in position, contained an attack by the Zouaves on the far right.
The attack was carried out by the column of Major de Troussures com-
ing, as said previously, from the Salaria where it had been sent as support and
to carry out a diversionary manoeuvre from there to Monterotondo. Once
arrived at the tavern sited at about one km from Forno Nuovo (tavern of the
4 gates), he heard the gun from the right, turned in that direction and, going
south of the homestead of Santa Colomba, along the Regina’s Gorge, through
Monte di Massa, past the Ormeto’s Gorge, climbed through the S. Angelo
area towards the eponymous tower.
Later he continues towards the Stogi Mountain paralyzing the attack of
the right flank of the Garibaldians forcing them, under threat of being sur-
rounded, to withdraw from the Salincerqua line on the high ground closest
to Monterotondo to the Cappuccini, effectively contributing in this way to
the positive outcome of the attack by Lieutenant Colonel Saussier.
The Papal troops renew their attack also at the centre against Vigna
Cicconetti and Pagliai pushing again towards the exit north of Mentana.
The Garibaldian line withdraws on the whole front and the volunteers
retreated disorderly within Mentana and towards Monterotondo; in vain
Garibaldi shouted “stop and you will win!”. His reserve is completely
engaged; the last battalion available had been sent to occupy the Cappuccini
of Monterotondo and the high ground across northeast of the road (altitude
141?) to gather the withdrawing volunteers and to protect the retreat.