Part 54

“First body of French troops leaves Toulon; Austrian ultimatum dispatched from Vienna to Turin. It is received at Turin. The limit fixed by the ultimatum (of three days) expires; Count Cavour declines the Austrian conditions; statement of the war question addressed to the Corps Legislatif by Count Walewski; French troops first cross Mont Cenis. Revolution in Tuscany; the Grand Duke retires: address of Victor Emmanuel to his army. The Austrian declaration of war posted in Vienna; the Austrians, under Count Gyulai, pass the Ticino; Marshal Canrobert and General Niel reach Turin and assume command of their respective corps d’armée; General McMahon arrives at Genoa; death of General Bouat; appeal of Victor Emmanuel to the Italian people. The Austrians occupy Novara; the French ambassador quits Vienna; revolt of Massa and Carrara. King Victor Emmanuel leaves Turin to take command of his army; the Austrians occupy Mortara; their steamers seize the Sardinian ports on Lake Maggiore; three Austrian vessels repulsed on the lake; the Duchess of Parma withdraws from the Duchy. Manifesto of Napoleon III, addressed to the Corps Legislatif; the Austrians pass the Po at Cambio; they are repulsed in an attempted crossing at Frassinetto; they burn the bridge over the Scrivia at Piacenza; the Austrian vanguard reaches Tronzano. The conflict at Frassinetto continues; the Austrians, passing the Po at Vacarizza, advance to Sale; a cannonade at Valenza. The Duchess of Parma returns to her capital. General Cialdini, issuing from Casale, seizes a convoy of the enemy. The Austrians repass the Po at Gerola. Imperial decree establishing the Regency in France. The Emperor Napoleon III, and the Prince Napoleon Jerome leave Paris for the seat of war; the Austrians complete a retrograde movement to the left of the Sesia. The Emperor embarks at Marseilles; the Austrians pause at Vercelli, and return reconnoitering parties to the right bank of the river; they occupy Rivergaro. The Emperor lands at Genoa; issues an order of the day to the army. The English declaration of neutrality published. The Austrians occupy Bobbio, and push their advanced post to Casteggio. The French Emperor arrives at Alessandria. The French squadron of Admiral Jurieu-Gravier anchors before Venice; the Emperor visits the outposts at Valenza. The Austrians threaten the bridge at Stella; the Emperor visits the head-quarters of the King at Occimiano; the Austrians vainly attempt to take the bridge at Valenza. The head-quarters of Count Gyulai transferred in retreat to Gariasco. Speech of M. Kossuth on the war, delivered at London Tavern; battle of Montebello; the Allies, numbering 6,300, under General Forey, defeat 25,000 Austrians under General Count Stadion; the Emperor visits Casale. The Piedmontese, under General Cialdini, force the passage of the Sesia at Vercelli, routing the Austrians; Garibaldi with his corps, leaves Biella, and marches for Northwestern Lombardy; the blockade of Venice established. Death of the King of Naples. Garibaldi, passing the Ticino at Sesto Calende, defeats the enemy and captures Varese. Garibaldi, attacked by the Austrians, beats them; Colonel Christoforis, with a portion of Garibaldi’s force, beats the Austrians near Sesto Calende; the Emperor at Voghera. The Emperor arrives at Vercelli; Garibaldi again beats the Austrians at Malmate. Garibaldi marches upon Como; rapid movement of the French army from the south to the north of the Po; Montebello and Custeggio, evacuated by them, occupied by the Austrians. Garibaldi, beating the Austrians at San Fermo, occupies Como, Camerlata, and Lecco; Austrian vessels bombard Canobbio, on Lake Maggiore; the Valtelline rises in insurrection. Battle of Palestro; the Allies, commanded by Victor Emmanuel, attack the Austrians; the Emperor of Austria, attended by Field-Marshal Baron Hess, arrive at Verona. The Allies defeat the Austrians at Palestro; General Niel occupies Novara; proclamation of the Emperor Francis Joseph to the Tyrolese. Garibaldi retiring before a powerful body of the enemy, attacks Laveno unsuccessfully; the Austrians attack the allied outposts at Robbio, but speedily retreat; the advance of the Allies, under McMahon, enters Lombardy by the bridge of Turbigo. The Austrians hastily evacuate Sardinia; severe action at Buffalora; Garibaldi again marches upon Varese, beats the Austrians, and re-occupies it. The conflict at Buffalora concludes in a splendid victory of the Allies at Magenta. Milan rises upon the Austrians; the garrison retires; Victor Emmanuel proclaimed King; Lombardy annexed to Sardinia; Grand _Te Deum_ at Paris for the victory at Magenta. The Emperor and King enter Milan; the Austrian’s custom-houses on Lake Maggiore seized by Garibaldi’s corps. Garibaldi pursues the Austrians, who retreat towards Monza; proclamation of Napoleon III to the Italians. Marshal Baraguay d’Hilliers attacks the Austrians at Malegnano, and after a severe contest carries that post; on the same day the Austrian Count d’Urban is beaten by Marshal Canrobert at Canonica; the Austrians evacuate Laverno on Lago Maggiore. Garibaldi enters Bergamo; the Austrians evacuate Pavia and Piacenza; the Duchess of Parma arrives at Verona. The Austrians evacuate Lodi; they also evacuate Bologna and Ancona; resignation of the Derby Ministry in England; Lord Palmerston invited to form a cabinet; head-quarters of the French advanced to Gorgouzola. The vanguard of the French army passes the Adda at Cassano; the Sardinian army passes the Adda at Vaprio; the Austrians complete the evacuation of the Papal territory, and also withdraw from Modena; death of Prince Metternich. The Austrians abandon Pizzigbettone; Garibaldi at Brescia; Cremona and Brescia declare for the King of Sardinia; the Allied army passes the Sesia; General d’Urban retires from Coccaglia. The Duke of Modena arrives at Mantua; d’Urban occupies Cavriana, but evacuates it the same night; revolt at Venice. Garibaldi repulsed by an overwhelming force of the Austrians at Castenedolo; he retreats towards Lonato. General Count Schlick takes command of the second Austrian army, replacing Gyulai; the head quarters of Napoleon III removed to Covo; the Austrian Emperor at Travigliato. The Austrians occupy Montechiaro and Castiglione; Kossuth leaves London for Italy. The Emperor and King enter Brescia; the Austrians occupy the pass of the Stelvio; the Emperor Francis Joseph reviews a portion of his army at Lonato; he assumes supreme command of the army. The third division of the Adriatic fleet sails from Toulon. The Austrians abandon Montechiaro, Castiglione, and Lonato. The Emperor and King leave Brescia for the camp; the Austrians re-occupy Montechiaro and Castiglione; Francis Joseph Axes his head-quarters at Villafranca. The French pass the Chinese at Montechiaro, and push a reconnaissance as far as Goito; the head-quarters of Francis Joseph at Vallegio; Kossuth arrives at Genoa. The French Emperor and the King urge a reconnaissance as far as Desenzano; the Austrians in full force repass the Mincio, and occupy Pozzolengo, Solferino and Cavriana. Great battle of Solferino: 250,000 Austrians defeated by the Allies, numbering 150,000; the Austrians repass the Mincio; the allied head-quarters at Cavriana. Prussia proposes in the Diet the mobilization of the Federal army; retreat of the French troops at Brescia. Kossuth arrives at Parma, and after conferring with Prince Napoleon, proceeds to the Imperial head-quarters. A portion of Garibaldi’s troops, under Major Medidi, occupy the pass of Tonal, between Val Canonica and the Tyrol. The Allies, crossing the Mincio, enter the Venitian States. The vanguard of the Allies advances to Villafranca. The Imperial head-quarters removed to Volta; the corps of Prince Napoleon joins the main body of the allied army at Vallegio; the Sardinians commence the siege of Peschiera; the new British ministry declares in Parliament its determination to maintain an inviolable neutrality. The Emperor removes his head-quarters from Volta, and, crossing the Mincio, fixes them at Vallegio. Ten thousand French troops landed at Lussin-Piccolo, in the Adriatic; Grand _Te Deum_ for the victory of Solferino at Notre-Dame. The Austrians retire from Bormio, after a sharp action, in which they are defeated by Garibaldi. Armistice concluded between the two emperors at VillaFranca; Zara bombarded by the French frigate _Impetueuse_. Interview between Napoleon III and Francis Joseph; the war terminated by the peace of VillaFranca.” Militia Volunteer Association of England established 17th November.

1860 The principal events of this year are: General rising of the Sicilians, March 16th. Annexation of Savoy and Nice to France, March 24th. War in China and capture of Pekin. Insurrection at Palermo, April 4th. Great Eastern sailed for America, June 16th. Prince of Wales at Quebec, August 18th. King of Naples, Francis II, retired to Gaeta, September 6th. Garibaldi entered Naples, September 8th. Ancona taken, September 30th. Battle of Volturno, October 2nd. Victor Emmanuel at Naples, November 7th. Abraham Lincoln elected President of the United States. A Secession Convention assembles in Columbia, S.C., but adjourns to Charleston, in consequence of the small pox. The Convention at Charleston passes the ordinance carrying South Carolina out of the Union. Attempted removal of ordnance from the Arsenal at Pittsburg, Pa., prevented by the citizens. Fort Moultrie evacuated by Major Robert Anderson, who retires with his troops to Fort Sumter. Seizure by the citizens of the Arsenal at Charleston, S.C.

1861 Duchess of Kent died, March 16th. Attack on Japanese Nussier, September 23rd. The fearful colliery explosion at Hartley took place on the 16th January of this year. King of Russia died, January 2nd. Taltian gallery destroyed, February 5th. The principal events of the Great Rebellion this year are given under in the order of occurrence:--The Postmaster at Charleston refuses to make returns to the United States Government. The _Star of the West_ chartered and sent to Fort Sumter to reinforce Major Anderson. Mississippi secedes. The first gun of the rebellion fired; the forts on Morris Island fire on the _Star of the West_, and she puts to sea. Major Anderson leaves Fort Sumter in the _Baltic_, after having formally surrendered the fort and saluting his flag with the honors of war; several men killed by the explosion of a gun while saluting; no lives lost in the bombardment. The Army and Navy Appropriation Bills pass Congress. Battle at Rich Mountain, Va., in which General McClellan defeats Pegram. The rebels evacuate Laurel Hill, Va. General McClellan occupies Beverly, Va.; Garnett defeated and killed at Carrick’s Ford, Va.; Pegram surrenders. Battle of Bull Run, Va.; the Union army defeated, and falls back on Washington in confusion; Union loss, 481 killed, 1011 wounded, and 700 prisoners; Rebel lose, 269 killed, and 1483 wounded. General Dix takes command in Baltimore. General Scott’s resignation accepted by the President, who appoints General McClellan to the chief command of the armies. General Dix issues an order regulating the Maryland elections. Floyd defeated by Rosecrans at Gauley Bridge. Battle at Belmont, Mo.; the rebels under Sidney A. Johnston defeated by Grant. Naval engagement in Port Royal Harbour; the rebel forts Beauregard and Walker captured. General Buell assigned to the Department of Kentucky. James M. Mason and John Slidell, rebel Ministers to England and France, seized on board the _Trent_, by Commodore Wilkes, of the _San Jacinto_. Rebels defeated at Piketon, Ky., by General Nelson. A general bombardment of Pensacola and the navy-yard by Colonel Brown at Fort Pickens; the town and navy-yard destroyed. The gunboat _Cœur de Lion_ runs the blockade of the Potomac, and arrives at Fortress Munro. The _Constitution_ leaves Hampton Roads with General Phelps, first part of the Butler expedition to New Orleans. General Scott returns to New York from Europe. Mr. Seward agrees to surrender Mason and Slidell.

1862 French army in Mexico, January 7th. Mausoleum at Frogmore commenced, March 15th. French Victories in Cochin-China, March 29th. Garibaldi at Catania, August 20th. Battle of Aspromonte, August 29th. Mason and Slidell surrendered. Engagements at Port Royal Ferry, S.C., and Pensacola, Fla. General Mitchell occupies Huntsville, Ala. Fort Puluski surrenders. The siege of Fort Macon, N.C., commenced. Pocahantos, Ark., occupied by General Curtis. New Orleans surrenders to Commodore Farragut. Battle at Warwick Creek, Va. General Banks evacuates Strasburg, Va., in consequence of the advance of Jackson. Commodore Farragut shells Grand Gulf, Miss. Battle at Lewisburg, Va. The President calls for 300,000 men. Battle of Malvern Hills; end of the seven days’ fight. Battle of Catlett’s Station, Va., and retreat of Pope. General McDowell evacuates Fredericksburg, Va. General W. T. Sherman commences a movement upon Vicksburg in the rear of Haine’s Bluff. Stuart makes an unsuccessful foray on Burnside’s army at Falmouth, Va.

1863 Captain Speke discovered the source of the Nile, February 23rd. Prince of Wales married, March 10th. The President issues his Emancipation Proclamation. The rebels estimate their losses thus far at 20,898 killed, 59,615 wounded, and 21,169 prisoners. Total, 209,116. Battles of Hunt’s Cross Roads, Tenn., and Galveston, Texas. Naval engagement in Charleston Harbour; the rebel rams attack the fleet. National fast observed by order of President Lincoln. Porter’s squadron passes the batteries at Grand Gulf, Miss., and General Grant fights the battle of Branlinsburg, and lands his troops. Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., commenced. Stonewall Jackson mortally wounded. The tracks diverging from Gordonsville destroyed by General Buford. General Stoneman destroys the railroad at Columbia, Va. Second day of the battle of Chancellorsville, Va. Battle of Nansemond, Va.; Longstreet reinforces Lee. Fredericksburg, Va., captured by General Sedgwick. Battle at Gettysburg, Pa., commenced. General Rosecrans occupies Tullahoma, Tenn., and Winchester the next day. Negotiations for the surrender of Vicksburg, Miss., opened. Vicksburg surrenders to General Grant. Lee defeated at Gettysburg, Pa. Battle at Helena, Ark. Chattanooga, Tenn., evacuated by the rebels. Naval engagement in Charleston Harbour; a naval attack on Fort Sumter repulsed. Union forces defeated at Sabine Pass, Texas. Chattanooga occupied by General Crittenden. Cumberland Gap surrendered to General Burnside--Union forces defeated at Tipton, Tenn. Culpepper, Va., occupied by General Meade’s advance. Engagements near Culpepper, Va., and at Bird’s Gap, Ga. General Hooker’s “battle in the clouds” at Lookout Mountain. Engagement at Wauhatchie, Ala. General Blair occupies Tuscumbia, Ala. 181 Federal prisoners arrive at Fortress Monroe from Libby Prison, in a starving condition. The exchange of prisoners stopped. General Butler takes command of the Department of Virginia at Fortress Monroe. A furious bombardment of Fort Sumter. General Foster announces Longstreet in full retreat from Tennessee, whereupon the President orders a Thanksgiving. General Grant’s captures during the war announced as 472 cannon and 90,000 prisoners.