Italy. September 21, 1848
Italy.
* Communications concerning the bombardment of Messina have reached Marseille by the latest mail steamer, which, although contradictory in many respects, sufficiently reveal the immense bitterness of the struggle. According to these reports, Messina has been reduced to a heap of ruins. On September 7 the city caught fire and the Messinese were forced to evacuate it. The next day Ferdinand’s troops penetrated into the city; but then the Messinese, reinforced by a mass of country people, returned and the struggle began anew. The Neapolitans are said to have suffered heavy losses. The Messinese had to leave the city once more and, before doing so, are said to have blown up the mined sections of the city together with a mass of Ferdinand’s troops. The remaining Messinese have all withdrawn inland, and a decree of the government in Palermo declares the loss of Messina a national loss and stipulates that all damage suffered there by Sicilians shall be made good by the entire people. Ferdinand’s official gazette triumphantly announces the capture of Messina, but admits that it was achieved only after a truly desperate struggle. The Sicilians have also lost all their gunboats except two. Messina has become the Sicilian Missolonghi. A proclamation issued by the government in Palermo calls out to the islanders: “Vengeance! Vengeance!” and concludes with the words: “We shall all receive the brave sons of that city into our houses, we shall share our bread with them, and when the great act of vengeance and liberation is accomplished, we shall rebuild Messina with our own hands, and make it rise from its ruins fairer and greater.” Ruggiero Settimo has ordered the formation of 7 military camps (at Millazzo, Taormina, Catania – Siracusa – Girgenti – Trapani and Palermo).