The Thousand then sounded a charge—­the Genoese carbineers in the van, followed by a chosen band of youths impatient to come to close quarters.

The intention of the charge was to put to flight the enemy’s vanguard and get possession of the two guns—­a manoeuvre that was executed with a spirit worthy of the champions of Italian liberty; but I had no intention of a front attack on a formidable position occupied by a strong force of Bourbon troops.  But who could stop those fiery and impetuous volunteers in their rush on the foe?  In vain the trumpets sounded a halt; our men did not hear, or imitated Nelson’s conduct at the Battle of Copenhagen.  They turned a deaf ear to the order to halt sounded by the trumpets, and with their bayonets drove the enemy’s van back on their main body.

There was not a moment to be lost, or that gallant handful would have perished.  Immediately a general charge was sounded, and the entire corps of the Thousand, accompanied by some courageous Sicilians and Calabrese, marched at a quick pace to the rescue.

The enemy had abandoned the plain, but, falling back on the heights where their reserve was, held firm and defended their position with a dogged valor worthy of a better cause.  The most dangerous part of the ground we had to cross was the level valley separating us from the enemy, where we had to face a storm of cannon- and musket-balls which wounded a good many of our men.  Arrived at the foot of Monte Romano, we were almost sheltered from attack; and at this point the Thousand, somewhat diminished in number, closed up to the vanguard.

The situation was supreme; we were bound to win.  In this determination we began to ascend the first ledge of the mountain, under a hail of bullets.  I do not remember how many, but there were certainly several terraces to be gained before reaching the crest of the heights, and every time we climbed from one terrace to the next—­during which operation we were totally unprotected—­we were under a tremendous fire.  The orders given to our men to fire but few shots were well adapted to the wretched weapons presented to us by the Sardinian Government, which nearly always missed fire.  On this occasion, too, great service was rendered by the gallant Genoese, who, being excellent shots and armed with good carbines, sustained the honor of our cause.  This ought to be an encouragement to all young Italians to exercise themselves in the use of arms, in the conviction that valor alone is not enough on modern battlefields; great dexterity in the use of weapons is also necessary.

Calatafimi!  The survivor of a hundred battles, if in my last moments my friends see me smile once more with pride, it will be at the recollection of that fight—­for I remember none more glorious.  The Thousand, attired just as at home, worthy representatives of their people, attacked—­with heroic coolness, fighting their way from one formidable position to another—­the soldiers of tyranny, brilliant