Solferino 1859 PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX THE BATTLE OF SOLFERINO In order to discover something definite about the dispositions of the Franco-Italian Army, and also to regain touch, which had been temporarily relaxed, the Commander of the Second Army sent out on the night of the 21st a strong patrol, consisting of two squadrons of cavalry and two horse-artillery guns, under Major von Appel of the 12th Uhlans. This patrol was ordered to cross the Mincio at Monzambano and make for Pozzolengo, move next day by Rivoltella to Lonato, and return by way of Castiglione, Guidizzolo and Volta to Valeggio. Major von Appel was not, however, able completely to fulfil all that had been confided to him; he came everywhere upon the enemy in considerable force, and was never able to pierce the screen behind which their main strength was concealed. But from the reports which this officer sent in during his tour, rather than perhaps from the general conclusions to be drawn from his expedition as a whole, the Imperial Headquarter Starr came to the conclusion that only part of the Allied Army was on the left bank of the Chiese --viz. the Italians to the north in the neighbourhood of the Lake of Garda by Desenzano and Lonato, and some in of the French troops in the hilly country about Esenta, Castiglione and Carpenedolo. With the retirement of the Austrians behind the Mincio, the Emperor Franz Josef and his military advisers had apparently by no means relinquished all idea of a return to the offensive; the numerous bridges which had been constructed, or which were already in existence, over the river had all been retained; many commanding positions on the right bank had been occupied and entrenched, and from these and other signs and preparations, it seems tolerably clear that the..