Italy. 20 August 1848
Italy.
* Florence, 10 August

The Austrian sbirro leader Welden declared upon his invasion of the Papal territory that he would have anyone shot who is caught with weapons in his hand or who in any other way displays hostile sentiments towards Austria. In accordance with this splendid principle, Welden must now have the whole city of Bologna shot, for it has unambiguously manifested its unfriendly sentiment towards Austria. The Austrian sbirro chief entered Bologna on the 7th. The brutality of this man, his and his soldiers’ arrogance, his demand that the city immediately provide a number of hostages and pay a monetary contribution: all this provoked a bloody clash, as a result of which the Austrians were thrown out of the city. This happened on the 8th at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. The Austrians occupied Montagnola, a height commanding the city. From here they began the bombardment of the city by means of 4 cannon and 1 howitzer. The firing lasted from 5 to 8 o’clock in the evening. All Bologna rose as one man; the inhabitants stormed the height and drove out the Austrians. The latter, upon leaving the city, left behind many dead and 50 men were taken prisoner by the Bolognese. A porter captured an Austrian flag. However, yesterday, on the 9th, early, the Austrians returned with reinforcements and the bombardment has begun anew. At 9 and a half o’clock in the morning – up to which the latest reports go – 2 palaces in the city and a whole suburb were in flames; the Austrians plundered a number of houses near the burning suburb. The population was determined to defend itself to the last drop of blood. The entire diplomatic corps in Florence, immediately upon receipt of the reports from