2-996-049 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Garibaldi at the Faro Point, Messina, reconnoitring the Fort Torre di Cavallo, Calabria - from a sketch by our special artist, 1860. 'Our artist writes: "The General [Garibaldi] never misses going at least once a day to the Faro, which is eight miles distant from Messina. Here the strait is only a mile and a half wide, and batteries are being constructed to reply to the guns of the Torre di Cavallo fort, situated exactly opposite. The batteries are exceedingly simple but very strong; they are formed of breastworks of sandbags, with the sand of the shore levelled up to them. All along the water's edge are drawn up the boats composing the flotilla which is to take us across on the first dark night. Each of these boats will hold ten men, besides six rowers; some are having platforms nailed over all, on which will be placed the cannons and horses. The truce expires this evening (August 6), and I presume we shall begin to exchange compliments immediately with the Torre di Cavallo and the Neapolitan cruisers watching for our embarkation".' From "Illustrated London News", 1860.