Narrative of scenes and events in Italy; from 1847 to 1849, including the siege of Venice. ... Translated from the unpublished Italian manuscript

Chapter I

A sortie on Caorle decided on. — Reasons against it. — The young men of Naples send a sword of honour to the Author. — Leonardo da Vinci. — Several corps organised into a Brigade. — The Author named Deputy in Naples. Departure of the Legions from Rome, and Ferrari. — Stratagems of the enemy. — Theatre of Venice . . . 1

Chapter II

Political and military situation of Italy in the beginning of 1849. — Letter of Count Gherardo Freschi, of Turin. — General Olivaro and Deputy Correnti are sent by the King of Sardinia to Venice. — They return with a letter from the Author, and two projects for the approaching campaign. — The King's answer. — Instructions for Colonel Fabbrizi sent to Rome. — Demand that the Roman battalion of the Union should remain. — Letter of Manin. Charles Albert decides on resuming hostilities. — Departure of the Author for Chioggia, where he concentrates a small corps. — Reconnoissance by the Lombards. — Letter from the Government to suspend all operations. — Return to Venice 17

Chapter III

Charles Albert's second campaign, March, 1849 . . . 50 b CONTENTS. 117

Chapter V

Possibility for the Venetian Government of avoiding the failure of food and ammunition. — Project addressed to the Roman and Tuscan Governments for continuing the War in Italy. — Letter received in reply by the Roman Envoy, Anace. — The manner in which the Author might thrice have contributed to Italian Independence. — Address of the Venetian Government to France and England. — General Haynau hastens to inform the Venetians of the Victory of Novara. — Memorable Decree of the Venetian Government on the 2nd of April. — Contrarieties experienced by the Author. — What kind of Warfare might possibly be continued round the Lagoon. — Letter received by the Head of the Staff from the popular Venetian Circolo. — Strange and ridiculous means employed by the enemy to obtain the surrender of Venice . . . . . . . . . 99

Chapter VII

State of the enemy round the Lagoon, and of the besieged. Necessity of a military dictatorship. — A decoration and a medal proposed. — The command of Malghera confided to Colonel Ulloa. — Reports of the 3rd and 4th of May from the Commander of Malghera to the Commander-in-Chief. — Endeavours to obtain information from terra fii-ma. — Letter from the Commander of Malghera to General Haynau, and his Answer.— Sortie from Malghera V 187 CONTENTS. PAGE on the 9th of May. — Order of the Day. — Meeting of the 10th of May, in the rooms of the War department. — Council of defence on the 13th May presided over by the General-in-Chief 150

Chapter IX

Details on the operations of the enemy round Malghera. — Their effects on the place. — The Author's visits to Malghera ; his Parisian valet-de^chambre. — Decree of the 22nd May, for the evacuation of Malghera. — The possibility of prolonging its defence. — Bad effects of not having blown up the arches of the bridge in time. — Promotion of Colonels Ulloa and Cosenz. — Answers of the French and English Governments to that of Venice. Order of the Day after the evacuation of Malghera .

Chapter X

Rapid sketch of offensive and defensive preparations in the second period of the siege of the Lagoon. — Letter of Tomaseo on the Dalmatian Company, and answer. — Report of Gen. Rizzardi, from Chioggia, on the enemy's squadron. — The Author called to the Presidence of the Military Commission, with other powers. — Order of the Day. Enrolmentfor the Navy service. — Correspondence with Hungary. — Negotiation with De Bruek. — Letter from the Cardinal Patriarch. — Answer. — Death of Rosaroll. — Order of the Day 212

CHAPTER XL

Fresh conferences with De Bruck.— Fall of Rome.— The battery on the great bridge surprised.— The number of the garrison diminishes. — Decree that 1000 of the CONTENTS. VI PAGE National Guard be placed on active service.— Want of provisions. — Preparations of the Austrians to besiege Brondolo ; their retreat to the right of the Brenta. — Letter from Count Marcello.— The enemy open their fire. — Vague rumours of the Austrians' doings. — Last Order of the Day 245

Chapter XII

Political events in the States of Rome from 1831 till 1849, when the French entered Rome . . ... 264

Chapter XIII

Venetian navy. — Sortie from Brondolo. — Cholera in the capital. — The Patriarch menaced. — Letter to the Committee of Public Safety. — Attempts at disorder provoked by the enemy. — A battalion in the island of Lido on the point of setting a bad example Severity towards a General of the army. — Expedient used to cure the imaginations heated by the erroneous idea of a general sortie. — The Author elected a representative of the Assembly. — Declaration which arrived from the General of the National Guard ....... 300

Chapter XIV

Admirable conduct of the Venetians. — Meeting of the Assembly and its decree. — The total want of powder and bread forces the Government to treat with the enemy. — The Author's irrevocable determination if the enemy had not granted an honourable capitulation. — Wants of the military provided for. — The Author quits Venice Letter from the Municipality, and answer. — Address to the Neapolitan soldiers on the Lagoon. — Conclusion, on the events of the Peninsula. — The Author's address to his countrymen . . . .313 events in italy: Ekom 1847 to 1849.

Chapter I

A sortie on Caorle decided on. — Reasons against it. — The young men of Naples send a swordof honour to the Author. — Leonardo da Vinci. — Several corps organised into a Brigade. — The Author named deputy in Naples.— Departure of the Legions from Rome, and Ferrari. — Stratagems of the enemy. — Theatre of Venice. I had sufficient experience and knowledge of history, to foresee the complaints of the superior officers who followed me to Mestre. Each believed himself to have co-operated in the victory more than his companions, and therefore desired to obtain the largest share of praise. After the battle of Marathon, all yielded the first place to Miltiades ; but every one believed himself the second. Remembering the proverb, that " we must B VOL. strike while the iron is hot," I planned a vigorous expedition against Caorle, which had a numerous Austrian garrison.

I had combined all the movements with the Vice- Admiral Graziani, who had promised me light-armed boats, which were to land my troops on the small hill connecting Caorle with the terra firma. Colonel Ulloa was to take the isthmus at the point of the bayonet, and I intended to embark on a steam-boat, and command the expedition in person. The embarkation was to take place at sun-set, when the sea suddenly became so tem pestuous as to prevent it. Two days after, it was calm ; but the triumvirs let me know, that political circumstances required that, at the present moment, I should confine myself to the defensive. They listened to the Euro pean diplomatists, who, now that they had no intention of assisting us, exhorted us to act with more prudence, and not to disturb the treaties which were then being negotiated.

I was obliged, therefore, to limit myself to slight reconnoissances. At this time, the young men of Naples, defying imprisonment, and the rigours of that miserable government, jointly subscribed to purchase a handsome sword of honour, which they sent me by an excellent young officer belonging to the National Guard. On arriving in Venice he was named Lieutenant of the republican army ; and on all occasions he conducted himself with great valour. His name was Montuoro. I accepted the sword with great satisfaction, and it never quitted my side during the rest of the campaign. These patriotic youths accompanied the gift with the following inscription : — " AL BENEMERITO DELLA PATRIA CITADINO GUGLIELMO PEPE COMMANDANTE IN CAPO LE ARME ITALIANE NEL VENETO IL QUALE, DI SPRONE Al VALOROSI CHE LO SEGUIVANO A TRA VERSO COTANTE LAGRIMEVOLI SCIAGURE SI NOBILMENTE SALVAVA L'ONOR NAPOL1TANO !

I NAPOLITANI RICONOSCENTI QUESTO TRIBUTO DI OMAGGIO, E DI GRATITUDINE OFFRIVANO A DI 24 OTTOBRE 1848."* • TO A CITIZEN DESERVING WELL OF HIS COUNTRY, WILLIAM PEPE, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ITALIAN FORCES IN THE VENETIAN TERRITORY, WHO, URGING ON HIS BRAVE FOLLOWERS, THROUGH SO MANY LAMENTABLE DISASTERS, SO NOBLY UPHELD THE HONOUR OF NAPLES, THE GRATEFUL NEAPOLITANS OFFERED THIS TRIBUTE OF HOMAGE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT, THE 24TH OF OCTOBER, 1848. B I answered as follows : — "Young men of Naples! In 1820, I commanded the Neapolitan army, which had been chiefly trained to arms in the Russian, Italian, and Spanish campaigns, and they nobly seconded me in overthrowing the slavery under which our country groaned. The Regent, who was afterwards Francis I., offered me at that time the rank of Captain- General, as I have shown in my Memoirs.

I refused to accept it, as being an insidious and inopportune honour. In my eyes it had not the merit of the sword, which you, with such touching kindness and so much moral courage, have sent me ; exposing yourselves by this act to the rigours of an unreasonable government. " Beloved fellow-countrymen ! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this act of patriotism, which I consider a happy omen of the future destinies of our country, on which the fate of the entire peninsula in great measure depends. In this peninsula, the love of independence, the firm will to obtain it at any price, are such, that it would already have been ours, had our Princes been guided by Italian feelings, or had we been freed from their yoke. " GUGLIELMO PEPE." I had observed with pain that Italy had not been generous to Venice, on the resistance of which so much of the safety of the peninsula depended.

I had, as I before explained, given up to the treasury all my emolu ments ; I determined on a further proof of my affection for Venice, by sending to the government a portrait of Cesar Borgia, Duke of Valentino, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, to have it sold for the public benefit. This picture was a gift from my good brother Florestano, which accompanied me every where. By means of a lottery they might have obtained 100,000 frs. for it; but they preferred retaining it as a remembrance, and the President, Manin, graciously sent me the following letter : — " General, " No magnanimous act comes unexpectedly from you. By nature, and by long habit, all noble sacrifices are dear and easy to you ; and now, mindful of the wants of our country, you cede to us a famed work of art, the precious gift of fraternal affection, the constant companion of your honoured exile.

Type of a citizen soldier, model of a perfect Italian, your name will ever be blessed and glorious. "From the Provisional Government of Venice. " MANIN, President." "12th Nov. 1848." My gifts were insignificant compared with those which the magnanimous citizens made to the glorious and, for thirteen centuries, powerful Venice. In their breasts, her present misfortunes had weakened neither patriotic love, nor hatred of a foreign yoke. " Of what importance is it that for fifty years we have been unfortunate . Is this a tearful episode in the midst of the liberty we so long possessed, admired by the whole human race . What, if with change of times, we should also change the object of our ambition ! That which now fills our breasts is more pure, more elevated, more honourable to human nature !

We shall no longer command numerous provinces, but we shall be the bulwark of all Italy, whose sons will repair hither from the north and south, to shed their blood for the common safety." Thus saying, these truly liberal and Italian minds sent to the treasury all they could dispose of. The ladies excelled in generosity ; and it was observed, that those who before had most indulged in luxuries, now repressed their desires, and adorned themselves with the more noble ornament of Italian independence. The organisation of the troops in the Estuary necessarily differed from that of the other corps, who were not dispersed among the islands and the smaller and larger for tresses : therefore, instead of being divided into brigades and divisions, it was better they should remain in legions ; so much the more, that experienced brigadiers were wanting.

Even had this not been the case, still, sur rounded as we were on all sides by a numerous enemy, it was unadvisable that the orders of the Commander-in-Chief should have to pass through brigadiers, colonels, and com manders of battalions, scattered about the Lagoon and its shores ; yet, to satisfy the self-love of some brigadiers, four brigades were organised. In truth, the reverses of Charles Albert had not made me lose all hope of entering on open campaign warfare, but in that case the whole organisation would have been changed. Towards the end of November, my nomi nation to the national parliament of Naples reached me ; the official information was dated November 25th, and sent by Signor Campitelli, president of the central commission for the elections of the district of Naples. The ministers, I was informed, had opposed my election with all their power, but in vain.

The Government considered this election as a new scandal, confirming the first, the gift of a sword, which had become public. In my answer to the President Campitelli I accepted the honourable mission ; I said that we must not aim at pleasing a despicable government ; and I ended by expressing a hope that the war in Venice might be speedily terminated, in which event I would return to my post of deputy. This last sentence so frightened the Government that they hastened to decree, that if the deputy, General Guglielmo Pepe, entered the kingdom, he should be arrested and brought to trial. I was thus proscribed for the third time. The armistice obtained by the Sardinian King, the unjust suspicions which were thrown on his good faith, the threats of Austria, and the movement of her troops, alarmed the people of the Roman states with the dread of an invasion of the enemy.

Both the Govern ment and myself accordingly determined on sending back the four legions belonging to Rome. There remained in Venice, out of these legions, only one battalion of 1000 men, whom I proposed, after the first feat of arms, to salute by the appellation of " The Thousand Romans," in order to excite their valour. At the same time, there arrived daily out of the ancient Venetian provinces, many young men who were determined, at all risks, to escape from the Austrian conscription : many others deserted their banners to join the Italians in the defence of Venice. Colonel Cavedalis, one of the triumvirs, had the charge of uniting these youths, and forming with them a fine battalion. These young men came from the surrounding provinces of Padua, Treviso, Undine, and Bellona. I formed them into legions.

I bade adieu to the four Roman legions who had fought so willingly for the Italian cause, and endured difficulties, privations, and sickness, in the following order of the day : — "Venice, 3rd Dec., 1848. " The Government decreed yesterday that the Roman division, now fighting in the de fence of the Estuary, shall return into their native provinces. The present condition of these provinces has induced the Venetian government to come to this determination ; it has also been formed in consequence of the fevers which have been so prevalent during the past year, enfeebling the health of many of the volunteers, who will revive on breath ing their natal air. " The General-in-Chief will never forget a single one of the military virtues which have adorned the Roman volunteers whom he has had the honour to command during seven months.

If they have defended Venice with so much ardour, they will not fail to maintain the liberty of their fellow countrymen against its internal enemies wherever they may arise, and against the attacks of the foreigner. " The General is grieved at parting from so many warm defenders of this classic land ; but he derives consolation from the thought that both they, and the other volunteers who remain in the Estuary, having the independence of the Peninsula for ever engraven on their hearts, will soon again be seen in the Venetian camp, in order to shake off entirely the humiliating yoke of Austria, who will surely be driven beyond the mountains by the bayonets which fought with such valour at Mestre. «n,™ t> „ " Glmo. Pepe, " The General-in-Chief." If in this order of the day no mention was made of General Ferrari, who was to lead back these legions of which Charles Albert had asked me to give him the command, it was his own fault.

Eight months before, his Government, dissatisfied with his con duct, had recalled him through the medium of their commissioner, Count Carlo Pepoli. In the affair of Cavanella on the Adige, I sinned on the side of indulgence, and not of severity, in regard to him. The triumvirs in a letter of the 18th September had urged me to send him back to Rome, yet I retained him in Venice. The Venetian government wrote on the 2.9th October to the Roman government, greatly blaming Ferrari. Notwith standing this, he was raised to the rank of Lieutenant-General in Rome, where, as in Naples, this grade is on a par with that of General in Piedmont. In fact, the Minister of War in Rome wrote to inform me that that Government had established generals of brigade, generals of division, and lieutenant generals.

Ferrari had arrived from France where he had the rank of a retired Lieu tenant-Colonel. I have explained this subject fully, to show that all the new Italian governments, from Sicily to Piedmont, had the fatal mania of conferring promotion without considering the evil it is of to discipline, and to the organisa tion of an army. I shall have further occa sion to point out some serious inconveniences resulting from this practice, in order that Italy may not fall into the same error when she has regained her independence. In the time of the first French Republic, if advancement was rapid, it was only given to officers who had signally distinguished them selves. The rapid careers of Massena and Murat do not belie my assertion ; the grades they obtained were merited, one by one, on the field of battle.

General Haxo, who united experience to great good sense, said that Napoleon, when Emperor, often showed that he had never been colonel of a regiment. Many and various were the wiles employed by the enemy to subdue the persevering love of liberty which was shown in Venice both by the people, and by the valorous and patriotic garrison. Among other means, they endeavoured to inspire distrust of many superior officers and persons in civil employ ment, particularly of the commanders of the forts, such as that of Malghera. To destroy these baneful calumnies, I published the following order of the day : — "Venice, 16th Dec., 1848. " Vague rumours of a speedy attack by the wily enemy not long ago gave the alert to the garrison of the Estuary. It was the art ful act, either of the enemy, or of wicked malevolence, or rather of timid and ill-advised levity.

Persons of conspicuous honour were made marks for blind and perfidious suspicions. The General-in-Chief takes this opportunity of again assuring the citizens and the military that both he and the government attentively watch over the punctual service of the garri son, as well as over the zeal and fidelity of the commanders. It is a matter of gratifica tion to the General, who has so often rendered a just tribute of praise to the soldiers, now to offer one, not less deserved, to all the com manders without exception; for intelligence, for unblemished honour, for ardent love of their country, they all deserve the commenda tions of the garrison, and of the city which they defend. The General wishes especially to signahse Colonel Mattei for his indefatigable activity, his tried patriotism, his intelli gent and zealous services in the defence of Malghera.

The officers of that fort, and the council of defence have given in writing a similar well-deserved testimony to this deserving Colonel. " Lieut.-General G. Pepe, " Commander-in-Chief." When an honest man is calumniated, and is aware of the calumny, he has often the appearance of being guilty. As to myself, I confess that I had so often seen the valour of the Italians called in question in newspapers and pamphlets, in spite of the well-deserved praise they had earned in all the provinces of the Peninsula, as well as in the wars of the French empire, that I always abstained from going to the Italian Theatre in Paris, where all the applause showered on the performers seemed to me to mean, " You can always sing, but never fight." But, after the day of Mestre, I went to the finest theatre in Venice, where, if I mistake not, a performance was given for the benefit of the Treasury, and in one of the scenes nearly thirty young ladies sang in chorus.

I said to myself, " If in Italy we are superior in all the fine arts, after Mestre, we are ourselves at least convinced that we can fight with more valour than our enemies." This idea, and this train of reason ing made me, for the first time since many long years, take pleasure in an Italian theatre, and in seeing my countrymen sing and dance.

Chapter II

Political and military situation of Italy in the beginning of 1849. — Letter of Count Gherardo Freschi, of Turin. — General Olivaro and Deputy Correnti are sent by the King of Sardinia to Venice. — They return with a letter from the Author, and two projects for the approaching campaign.. — The King's answer. — Instructions for Colonel Fabbrizi sent to Rome. — Demand that the Roman battalion of the Union should remain. — Letter of Manin. — Charles Albert decides on resuming hostilities— Departure of the Author for Chioggia, where he concentrates a small corps. — Reconnoissance by the Lombards. — Letter from the Government to suspend all operations. — Return to Venice. In the commencement of 1849, Italy was, both in a military and political point of view, in a wretched condition. Sicily, though desirous of maintaining her newly acquired liberty, possessed neither an army nor a fleet to contend against the enemy, nor a general capable of organising troops, and then assuming the command of them.

The kingdom of Naples was groaning under the despotic yoke of a prince, who, to consolidate his power, shaken by recent VOL. II. C commotions, and by the still unsubdued state of Sicily, employed corruption with both the people and the army, and again called the Jesuits to his assistance. The Roman States were the focus of all the intrigues of the European courts, who rivalled one another in suggesting to Pius IX. the basest means of reducing that energetic people under the temporal power of the clergy ; and the Pope, by calling in the aid of foreign bayonets, deservedly obliterated his former acts, which were worthy of the Vicar of Christ, and had filled the two hemispheres with his name. The Grand Duke of Tuscany wanted only a cowl to become a complete Jesuit. From the right of the Po to Trapani not a bayonet could show itself in favour of Italian independence.

From the left bank of the Po to the Alps there remained means sufficient to drive the Austrians beyond the mountains at the point of the bayonet, if Carlo Alberto had been as expert and energetic a general as he was a valiant Italian-minded soldier. I will examine in this chapter the difficulties by which this prince was surrounded, and the vigour which he wanted to enable him to surmount them. Several letters which I received from Turin, and especially from Signor Gherardo Freschi, deputed by the Venetian government to the Sardinian, filled my mind with more sorrow than ever. Count Freschi, in a letter dated the 2nd of November 1848, told me, among other things, that the Lombard Consulta had declared that it would dissolve itself, if the insurrection was not assisted by the rest of Italy.

He also said that the King, his sons, and his ministers, declared to Durini, to Prince Canino, and to Mamiani, that they would continue the war ; that the enormous expenses incurred, the calling out of the reserve, the nomination of a number of officers, and, still more, the generous pro clamation of the Duke of Savoy, confirmed these promises. But, at the same time, the Lombard insurrection was premature, and there were two opinions abroad : some be lieved that the army was not yet prepared for war ; many others maintained that the Lombard brethren, who had compromised c themselves, must be assisted at any cost. Freschi added, that he was alarmed at the evil spirit which had shown itself in the army, and which was caused by the reactionary spirit of the aristocracy, who worked secretly, but not without the culpable assistance of the ministry.

Hence the con tinual desertions in the army, and the incapacity of many generals. He also pointed out the sad example recently given by the Casale brigade, which almost entirely dis banded itself. He concluded by relating to me other circumstances, very disheartening to those who were devoted to Itahan independence. In another letter, dated the 2nd of January, 1849, Count Freschi writes as follows : "Illustrious General, " I must inform you, that although I have seen the King several times, and he has always asked me for an account of your proceedings, and spoken of you as a man whom he highly esteems, nevertheless, from my knowledge of the character of that prince, the moment has never seemed pro pitious for communicating to him your ideas concerning the plan of campaign. But now that a new ministry, more in unison with the parliamentary majority, has liberated Carlo Alberto from the fetters which impeded his movements, and has electrified him in such a manner that he seems finally resolved to attempt every possible means of redressing the wrongs of Italy, and avenging the honour of her arms, the moment seemed to have come when your letter might be shown to him with profit ; and therefore, a few days ago, I presented myself to him.

He received me with his usual affability, and appeared only more joyful and better disposed than ever. He was the first to turn the con versation on yon. I then directly laid before him the tenor of your letter,— that is to say, your idea of making Venice the basis of operations in the new war, and the certain results which you anticipate from enterprises undertaken in concert, the plan of which you would communicate, when needful, to a person sent by his Majesty, and possessing his entire confidence. His Majesty answered me with the greatest praises of your patriotism and of your military talents : he was most satisfied with the confidence you show in him ; and he added, ' Our minds are ready for war, and we shall soon be in the field, with all the means at our disposal. When the moment for commencing the cam paign is arrived, you will permit me, Signor Conte, to make use of you to concert opportunely with General Pepe.

In the mean time, I beg you to offer him my best greetings.' — These are the precise words spoken by his Majesty, whom I thanked, on my own account, for the confidence he had honoured me with ; but I represented to him respectfully that it would be more useful to expedite to you an expert and faithful officer, who could comprehend your views better than myself, and refer them to the King. " I will now answer your last question, whether we are acting here with good sense and good faith. I believe we are, at least as far as the King, the ministry, and the chamber are concerned. But King, ministers, and chamber, who, when they act in concert, should be omnipotent, yet are not so, because there is something more potent than they ; I mean the old aristocracy, who throw their Jesuitical cunning, and their experience in the management of affairs, into the opposite scale, and employ all their power to serve the ends of their incurable egotism.

I can not express the suspicions I feel when I see all these persons, before so openly averse to war, now hastening it on as indispensable. This occasions presentiments which are most sorrowful. I should almost be tempted to believe that they will lead us to new dis asters. Take note that the army, which is apparently most flourishing, is far from having recovered from the deep wounds of which I spoke to you at the end of last autumn. As to the King, I believe him to be sincere in following the lofty aim he has in view, whether moved to it by love of glory, or of ambition, or of aggrandisement. Some believe him false ; but this is an ac cusation born and bred in the minds of the aristocracy, who cannot forgive him the wrongs he has done them, — most grievous wrongs, were there no others than the Statuto and the Fusion ; and to see them smile on him with kindly countenances !