2-996-017 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Revolution in Sicily - the Fight at the Bridge of Melazzo - from a sketch by T. Nast, 1860. '...it appears that in the main the Neapolitans stood on the defensive, firing from behind walls and all kinds of covers, and were slowly dislodged, the Sicilians losing heavily throughout. The fight lasted for fourteen hours in the heat of the day. Garibaldi's force, which was about 5000 men, had 750 dead and wounded...Passing the bridge which leads to the neck of the peninsula, there is an open space of a few hundred yards, with the sea to the right and some gardens to the left. Beyond the open space is a row of houses, which continues to the very gates of the town. Here the Neapolitans made a last effort to hold out, occupying the houses, concealing themselves behind some large boats drawn up on the beach, and, helped by their field artillery as well as by that from the castle, they checked our advance for a time...There was a great deal of hard fighting both on and under the bridge which leads to the neck of the peninsula, and here Captain (now Colonel) Peard, with his men, did good service...The battle of Melazzo took place on the 20th July, and on the 25th the citadel was evacuated by the Neapolitan troops'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.