Patriot; born at
Nice,
Italy, July 4, 1807; because of his political opinions was driven into exile in 1834, and went to
South America, where he was employed in the service first of the republic of
Rio Grande do Sul, and subsequently in that of
Uruguay, in 1836-48.
Returning to
Italy, he entered the service of the
Roman republic in 1849, and supreme command was given to him and to
General Roselli.
The grand defence of
Rome against French intervention in 1849 was due principally to his tact and bravery.
After this cause became hopeless, in 1850, he came to the
United States, where he became a naturalized citizen, and where for about three years he followed the occupation of a soap-boiler on
Staten Island.
In 1854 he returned to
Italy, and purchased the northern part of Caprera, where he remained until 1859, when he organized and commanded an independent corps, known as the “Hunters
of the
Alps,” in the Sardinian service during the war of
Sardinia and
France against
Austria.
Secretly abetted by
Sardinia, after peace was made, he organized an expedition against the Two Sicilies, having as his object the union of
Italy.
In May, 1860, he descended upon
Sicily with 1,000 volunteers, and when he had made himself dictator he crossed to the mainland and expelled Francis II.
from
Naples and entered the capital, Sept. 7, 1860.
Upon the union of the Two Sicilies with
Sardinia, and the proclamation of
Victor Emmanuel as
King of
Italy, March 17, 1860, he retired to Caprera.
Anxious for the complete unification of
Italy, he organized an expedition against
Rome in 1862, but was defeated and taken prisoner by the Sardinians at
Aspromonte, in August.
A few years later he was again in arms against the
Pope.
Marching into the Campagna, he defeated the Papal troops at Monterotondo on Oct. 25, 1867, but shortly after, while moving upon
Rome, he was defeated by the
French and Papal army near Mentana.
In 1870 the
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misfortunes of
France and an appeal from
Gambetta decided him to take up the
French cause against the Germans.
He received the command of a corps called the “Volunteers of the
Vosges.”
His son Ricciotti won a small victory over the Germans on Oct. 19, and that the latter advanced no further in that direction was due to the management of
Garibaldi.
He died at Caprera, June 1, 1882.
