Italy. August 6, 1848
Italy.
* Milan, July 30. On July 28, from his headquarters at Bozzolo, Charles
Albert issued a highly vainglorious proclamation to his soldiers. It reads:
‘Soldiers! The admirable proofs of your courage in the
engagements, the perseverance amid the hardships of the last few
days, have deeply moved me. The enemy paid dearly for the conquest
of his new position; in our retreat we took 2,000 prisoners with us;
he cannot boast of a single trophy. At the sight of your privations
brought about by the lack of provisions, at the thought of having
to leave Lombardy open to barbarian incursions, I allowed myself
to be moved to seek an armistice, but the conditions proposed to me
were of such a kind that every one of you would blush to accept
them. The honour of the army shines across all Italy and all Europe;
no one will be able to rob it of it, and your king will always be its
jealous support. In a few days we shall again confront this enemy,
whom we have so often seen flee before us; in a few days we shall
make him rue his boldness. The few who irregularly left their ranks
returned at once. With confidence I count on you, you chosen sons
of the fatherland, who shed your blood for the independence of
Italy.’
Milan, July 30. Some brave men are doing their utmost to counter the
discouragement that has taken hold. The legion commander Garibaldi,
who has returned from Montevideo, issued an urgent appeal to the youth
on the 27th to take up arms. On the same day the republican Joseph
Mazzini also issued one. On the 28th the headquarters was at Bozzolo,
but Charles Albert with his 45,000 men