"My first object," said he, "was to turn the enemy's flank; for I thought that if the King of Naples once heard that I was in his rear, he would be frightened; and so it proved."
The following is the substance of his account of the engagements, from notes taken in 1850:
The Neapolitans occupied the strong positions of Tusculum mountains, with their head-quarters at Velletri, and their advanced guard at Albano. Their extreme left was at Castel Gondolfo, and their extreme right a small village.
The battle of Palestrina was about ten days before that of Velletri. The troops present at the former were a hundred cavalry, under Col. Massina; 300 Bersaglieri, under Col. Manara; 200 Finanzieri of the Nationals; 200 Students, mobilized; and the Italian Legion, of 1,000—in all, about 1,800 men.
Garibaldi was sent out to harrass and observe the Neapolitans, with his division, and was at Palestrina, when seven thousand of the enemy were sent against him, with the intention of attacking him.
Between the Tusculum Mount and Palestrina is a valley, in one of the projections of the Apennines, in an amphitheatre. When Garibaldi perceived that the enemy had arrived at Valmontone, he sent a detachment to observe them. But it was repulsed, with the videttes, and retired upon the corps. When the Neapolitans reached Palestrina, Garibaldi prepared to defend himself. The enemy advanced, by two roads, against Palestrina, when Garibaldi prepared two companies, to protect the returning soldiers, or to harrass the enemy, if occasion should offer; while he remained in the centre, with a reserve.
The Neapolitans extended in line, and attacked; but were repulsed on the left and the centre. The two companies on the right were driven back, when Garibaldi, being victorious in other parts, proceeded with the reserve to the right, and the rout of the enemy was then completed. A strong body of royal Swiss troops, in the pay of Bomba, was present. The Republicans being destitute of cavalry, and the speedy arrival of night, saved the wrecks of the troops of Bomba.
From Palestrina, Garibaldi returned to Rome.