Italy. 11 August 1848
Italy.
* According to letters arriving via Paris, Charles Albert has once again been defeated before the gates of Milan, and has thereupon withdrawn into his own country; others maintain that, while it is true that he was defeated near Milan in a fresh attack by the Austrians, he threw himself into Milan and is being besieged there by Radetzky. In addition, it is said that Radetzky is rejecting the Anglo-French mediation, citing as his principal ground that the French Republic has not yet been recognised by Austria!
The Gazette piemontaise of 3 August puts Charles Albert’s headquarters at Lodi; the Piedmontese artillery and cavalry are said to have got away almost entirely unscathed. General Sommariva, commanding the artillery division, is reported to have turned towards Piacenza, in order to defend that place and the right bank of the Po. The Austrians have attempted an attack on Venice by means of fireships, which has, however, been beaten back.
The <u>Journal des Débats</u> confirms the dispatch of Sommariva to Piacenza; there he is to concentrate the Piedmontese troops from Parma and Modena, and the reinforcements advancing from Genoa. Should he be attacked by superior forces, he is then to fall back on the fortress of Tortona.
News from Milan of 4 August states that Radetzky is indeed encamped before Milan, which shows that all the crossings of the Adda have been forced. The defence committee has declared Milan in a state of siege; the population is said to be resolved upon vigorous resistance and upon imitation of Saragossa.
Berne, 7 August. The Vorort has today received various items of intelligence from the Ticino town council at Lugano, dated 5 August: