The Assembly sent to Oudinot, but he
refused any conditions, - refused even to guarantee a safe
departure to Garibaldi, his brave foe. Notwithstanding, a great
number of men left the other regiments to follow the leader
whose courage had captivated them, and whose superiority over
difficulties commanded their entire confidence. Toward the
evening of Monday, the 2d of July, it was known that the French
were preparing to cross the river and take possession of all
the city. I went into the Corso with some friends; it was
filled with citizens and military. The carriage was stopped by
the crowd near Doria palace; the lancers of Garibaldi galloped
along in full career. I longed for Sir Walter Scott to be on
earth again, and see them; all are light, athletic, resolute
figures many of the forms of the finest manly beauty of the
South, all sparkling with its genius and ennobled by the
resolute spirit, ready to dare, to do, to
die..(pp.412-413).
They had all put on the beautiful dress of the Garibaldi
legion, the tunic of bright red cloth, the Greek cap, or else
round hat with Puritan plume. Their long hair was blown back
from resolute faces; all looked full of courage. They had
counted the cost before they had entered on this perilous
struggle; they had weighed life and all its material advantages
against liberty, and made their election; they turned not back,
nor flinched, at this bitter crisis. I saw the wounded, all
that could go, laden upon their baggage cars; some were already
pale and fainting, still they wished to go. I saw many youths,
born to rich inheritance, carrying in a handkerchief all their
worldly goods. The women were ready; their eyes, too, were
resolved, if sad. The wife of Garibaldi followed him on
horseback. He himself was distinguished by the white tunic; his
look was entirely that of a hero of the Middle Ages, - his face
still young, for the excitements of his life, though so many,
have all been youthful, and there is no fatigue upon his brow
or cheek...(pp.413-414)
Next day the French troops were marched to and fro
through Rome, to inspire awe in the people; but it has only
created a disgust amounting to loathing, to see that, with such
an imposing force, and in great part fresh, the French were not
ashamed to use bombs also, and kill women and children in their
beds..(p415.....The fruits of all this will be the same as
elsewhere; temporary repression will sow the seeds of perpetual
resistance; and never was Rome in so fair a way to be educated
for a republican form of government as now.
Legation des Etats-Unis D'AmeriqueRome, May 10, 1851
..."In compliance with your request, I have the honor to
state succinctly , the circumstances connected with my
acquaintance with the late Madame Ossoli, your deceased sister,
during her residence in Rome.
In the month of April, 1849, Rome, as you are no doubt
aware, was placed in a state of siege by the approach of the
French army......
On the 30th of April the first engagement took place
between French and Roman troops, and a few days subsequently I
visited several of my countrymen, at their request, to concert
measures for their safety. Hearing on that occasion, for the
first time, of Miss Fuller's presence in Rome, and of her
solitary mode of life, I ventured to call upon her, offering my
services in any manner that might conduce to her comfort and
security. She received me with much kindness, and thus our
acquaintance commenced. Her residence, on the Piazza Barbarini,
being secured an insecure abode, she removed to the Casa Dies,
which was occupied by several American families.
In the engagements between the Roman and French troops,
the wounded of the former were brought into the city, and
disposed throughout the different hospitals, which were under
the superintendence of several ladies of high rank, who had
formed themselves into associations, the better to insure care
and attention
to these unfortunate men. Miss Fuller took an active part
in this noble work, and the greater portion of her time, during
the entire siege, was passed in the Hospital of the Trinity of
the Pilgrims, which was placed under her direction, in
attendance upon its inmates.
The weather was intensely hot; her health was feeble and
delicate; the dead and dying were around her in every form of
pain and horror; but she never shrank from the duty she had
assumed. Her heart and soul were in the cause for which these
men had fought, and all was done the woman could do to comfort
them in their sufferings. I have seen the eyes of the dying, as
she moved among them, extended upon opposite beds, meet in
commendation of her unwearied kindness; and the friends of
those who then passed away may derive consolation from the
assurance that nothing of tenderness and attention was wanting
to soothe their last moments.....
.....On the 29th of June the bombardment from the French
camp was very heavy, shells and grenades falling from every
part of the city. In the afternoon of the 30th I received a
brief note from Miss Fuller requesting me to call at her
residence. I did so without delay, and found her lying on a
sofa, pale and trembling, evidently much exhausted. She
informed me that she had sent for me to place in my hands a
packet of important papers, which she wished me to keep for the
present, and, in the event of her death, to transmit it to her
friends in the United States. She then stated that she was
married to the Marquis Ossoli, who was in command of a battery
on the Pincian Hill. That being the highest and most exposed
position in Rome, and directly in the line of the bombs from
the French camp, it was not to be expected, she said, that he
could escape the dangers of another night such as the last, and
therefore it was her intention to remain with him, and share
his fate. At the Ave Maria, she added, he would come for her,
and they would proceed together to his post. The packet which
she placed in my possession, contained, she said, the
certificates of her marriage, and of the birth and baptism of
her child. After a few words more, I took my departure, the
hour she named having nearly arrived. At the porter's lodge I
met the Marquis Ossoli, and a few moments afterwards I saw them
walking towards the Pincian Hill.
Happily the cannonading was not renewed that night, and
at the dawn of the day she returned to her apartment, with her
husband by her side.
