The Campaign of Garibaldi in the Two Sicilies
A Personal Narrative

Published in 1861, the first-hand observations of one of the many English supporters of the hero of the Risorgimento.

Charles Stuart Forbes (Author)

9781108060134, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 June 2013

390 pages, 1 b/w illus. 1 colour illus. 6 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.5 kg

A lieutenant in the Royal Navy who served in South America, the Crimea and China, Charles Stuart Forbes (1829–76) was one of the many Englishmen who volunteered to support Giuseppe Garibaldi during the Risorgimento. Garibaldi (1807–82) was an immensely popular figure in England, often being identified with English heroes of the past. Streets, food and clothing were named in his honour, while Queen Victoria commented that he was 'honest, disinterested and brave'. Published in 1861, Forbes' work tells, mostly through letters, of the progress of the last territorial conquest before the creation of the Kingdom of Italy. From Forbes we learn something of the messianic character attributed to Garibaldi: 'I have many times been told, in all sincerity by the peasants, that he is the brother of the Redeemer.' This remains a valuable first-hand account of some of the most important events in the founding of modern Italy.

1. Prefatory
2. Sardinian co-operation
3. The first expedition
4. The first expedition (cont.)
5. The first expedition (cont.)
6. The first expedition (cont.)
7. Palermo bay
8. Advance on Messina
9. The next morning
10. The Faro
11. Departure of Garibaldi
12. Night-alarms
13. Expedition for the Calabrias
14. Night-alarms
15. Occupation of Alta-fiumara
16. Force left in Sicily
17. Gulf of St Eufemia
18. News from Naples
19. Facetious post-boy
20. Peard sent on
21. Neapolitan orgies
22. The ex-king
23. The arrival of the Calabrese
24. The Piedmontese enter the Roman states
25. Reaction at Ariano
26. Ascendancy of the Bertani party
27. The battle of Volturno
28. Neapolitans seize Caserta Vecchia
29. Last look at the general
30. Subsequent events
31. Concluding chapter.

Subject Areas: European history [HBJD]