Sardinia and the War - Part 2
© Herman Van Meir
'To Albert V., Grand Master, who never believed in this project, nor in me'.
The Sardinian entry into the alliance was now almost assured, but a lot of work was still to be done. The texts had to be written down, and the Chambers had to be convinced to give their approval. Most of all, preparations had to be made for the expedition to start as soon as possible. But unexpectedly, the next major events in Piedmont were dramas in the Royal Family.
Within a month (January 12th till February 10th), the King lost his mother, his wife and his brother, the Duke of Genoa. The King stayed in deep mourning for a long time; it would take till long into the autumn before he took up his normal duties. The death of Ferdinand, the Duke of Genoa, presumed Commander-in-Chief, made the search of a new leader for the expedition necessary. The Minister of War, Alfonso Ferrero La Marmora, was the most logical choice. He was member of one of the prominent families, three of his brothers also being generals in the Sardinian army (Alberto, Alessandro and Charles-Emmanuel, Prince of Masserano and Field-Adjutant to the King).
For some years after the Italian defeat at the Battle of Novara, Alfonso La Marmora had been involved in the reorganization of the Sardinian army. He had, consequently, in his inner circle some able young officers who played an important role in the preparations. Major Govone of Silistria's fame was back from the Crimea - additionally there were Major Della Rovere and Lt.Col.Petitti di Roreto. As for the drafting of the treaty texts, it could not go quick enough for Cavour. Already on January 12th he wrote to Villamarina, their ambassador in Paris, to make sure preparation work on the text went ahead speedily. He repeated on the 25th that any delay would have a negative effect on the situation.
And what exactly was the situation? Well, useless to say that Austria (and with it the Principalities under Austrian domination), was furious when it heard that the allies had treated Sardinia in such a respectful way. In the rest of Italy the reactions of the rulers were hostile, indifferent, cool and, at best, lukewarm.
The fact was that all the other Italian states had something to reproach to the Sardinians. Those under Austrian influence complained about their attitude towards Austria, the others, who had returned to absolute government, about the maintaining of the Statuto. On the other hand, throughout Italy, the groups in favour of unification welcomed Piedmont's presumed increase in prestige.
Go To Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
