Meanwhile, Arcioni, upon receipt of Bonorandi’s report, and information that fresh Imperial forces were advancing from Trento, hastily halted his column’s advance on Ballino. Swiftly sending a message to Arcioni, informing him of the situation, Bonorandi then hurried his command to Tenno, arriving as Austrian troops were searching it. After some minor skirmishing, the settlement was left unoccupied.
MILAN ORDERS A WITHDRAWAL AS WELDEN ATTACKS
Out of the blue, and over Allemandi’s head, the Provisional Government had issued a Proclamation, on the 17th, ordering the volunteers back from the Tirol to Bergamo and Brescia, where a complete reorganisation would be put underway. He, in turn, with his authority publicly overridden, rather lamely made an Order-of-the-Day to this effect. Many of his men were deeply insulted by both.
The effect of the proclamation, which promised regular ranks and promotions for officers, food, clothing, and provisions when they joined the ‘new’ regular battalions, was chaos. Large numbers of volunteers duly quit their positions and retreated to Bergamo and Brescia. The withdrawal was a disorganised shambles, and there was little that the column commanders could do to maintain order. In many cases, men simply went home. Carlo Cattaneo was later to write, “The abandonment of the Tirol was the first step in our ruin.”15
Welden’s Move
It was at this moment, co-incidentally, that FML Welden made his counter-move. The attack was ordered for the 19th, and accordingly, Welden allowed the troops the 18th as a rest day.
Cles and Malé, 19/20th April
On the 19th, Colonel Melczer pushed 3/Kaiser Jäger and a detachment of 120 Landesschützen, under the command of Captain Röggler, along the road to Cles. Nearing the village, Röggler encountered Captain Scotti’s now independent Bergamo company, about 150 men. After a brief skirmish, in which two Austrians were wounded, Scotti retreated to Malé. Here, he was joined by volunteers from Lovere, Breno, and Edolo, and prepared the village for defence, also leaving a guard on the barricaded bridge over the swift flowing Noce torrente. Scotti’s total force now numbered around 500.
The next morning, Melczer advanced from Cles against Malé, with a force of three companies of IR Baden, one of Kaiser Jäger, the Landesschützen companies of Kaltern and Bolzano, eight chevauxlegers, and two guns. In support, he had two further Baden companies, and one gun. In Malé, the alarm bells were sounded, and the volunteers assembled with shouts of ‘Viva l’Italia!’
After a short bombardment, Melczer launched attacks on both flanks. Progress was slow, as the steep banks of the torrent make any crossing most difficult. A detachment of Kaiser Jäger, a platoon of 13/IR Baden, Lieutenant Mayer, and another from 14/IR Baden, under Lieutenant Schaub were ordered to envelope the enemy on the right, whilst half of 14/IR Baden, Captain von Engel, was to advance around the left.
The decisive moment came when the defenders at the bridge were driven back, which, combined with the perceived threat from Engel’s flanking column, caused panic, and the defenders retired in great disorder, despite brave resistance of Second-Lieutenant Luigi Consonni and his men. Scotti’s force had around 20 killed and wounded. Melczer had one killed, and seven wounded. Several flags, and some excellent rifles were taken by the Austrians, along with a large number of documents.
Action of Seleno and Vila, 19/20th April
FML Welden’s main column left Trento on the 19th. That evening, in Sarche, he gave orders for the following day, and then returned to Trento. The attack on Stenico was to be made by two columns. Lieutenant-Colonel Signorini, with two divisions of his 3/Feld-Jäger Battalion, was to march against Stenico along the west bank of the River Sarca. Two companies of IR Schwarzenberg would cover his left flank during this march. Major Scharinger, with four companies of his I/IR Schwarzenberg would advance along the east bank. The march took place in pouring rain. The movement was facilitated by Arcioni’s neglect to leave a picket at the point where the road descends into the Sarca Valley, dominating the whole of it.
Although reports were contradictory and vague, it appeared to the volunteer commanders that some Austrian move was afoot when FML Welden left Trento. After a message from Arcioni, Manara moved three companies of his column to Stenico on the night of the 19th. The next morning, word arrived that an enemy force was heading for Seleno, and Manara immediately moved in that direction.
Descriptions of the conflict on this wet, windy, and cold night are contradictory and confusing. Given the circumstances, this is understandable. Dandolo speaks of Manara deploying his men, he placing his own troops on the left, the Cremonese in the centre, and the carbineers on the right. As they advanced, they were received a volley from some of Scharinger’s troops, concealed in a sunken road. From here, the action takes on the aspect of a lengthy firefight, lasting three hours, a length of time echoed by Volunteer Stoppani.
Austrian accounts state that late in the evening of the 19th, the advance guard bundled the enemy picket company into Seleno. Grüll then describes the attack on the two villages on the 20th:
On the morning of the next day the attack on Seleno and Vila was launched with such ferocity, that a great number of the insurgents fell at the hands of the embittered soldiers. Only the bayonet was used, because shooting was impossible due to the weather. Our losses were two wounded Jäger, and one NCO of Schwarzenberg who fell during the assault on Vila.
Manara and Arcioni withdrew to Stenico. That evening, Arcioni retreated to Tione, without informing Manara. Next morning, the 21st, the latter, left with too few men to defend this important position, was forced to follow suit. He was also soon aware of Allemandi’s general order for a withdrawal. After allowing some time for rest, Scharinger advanced to Stenico the same day, but found that it had been abandoned. He and Signorini then withdrew to Sarche, their mission accomplished. 16
Of the 3-400 volunteers involved in these clashes, 18-20 had been killed in the action, and others bayoneted in the makeshift hospital in Seleno, as well as a number of prisoners taken. 17
Riva, 21st April
A combined force, mainly comprising troops of the Cacciatori della Morte, Colonel Anfossi, attempted an attack upon Riva from Ponale, supported by vessels on the lake, but were warmly received by two companies of IR Schwarzenberg well entrenched there, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Péchy. After a great deal of ineffective firing, Anfossi withdrew. Repeated attempts of this sort continued.
By April 23rd, Austrian troops in the South Tirol, exclusive of the Landesschützen and other volunteers, were disposed as follows:
In the Giudicaren – 3/Feld-Jäger Battalion
In the area of Riva – I/IR Schwarzenberg
Between the Rivoli Plateau and Trento: Four battalions and four companies(Kaiser Jäger, IR’s Hohenlohe, Shwarzenberg, & Baden), three squadrons, Liechtenstein Chevauxlegers, and five guns
General Allemandi Replaced
Allemandi was formally relieved of command on the 25th. His post was taken up, on the 27th, by 41 year old Major-General Giacomo Durando, younger brother of Giovanni, the commander of the Papal troops. Durando retained command over what were perceived to be the better units which remained. He had an excellent officer appointed as his Chief-of-Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Monti, a good organiser, and was to defend the line between the Lakes of Idro and Garda with energy and generally sound dispositions, a line which would be tested almost every day by an energetic and aggressive enemy. His force comprised the following:
The Manara Legion
600
Thannberg Column
450
Beretta Regiment (two battalions)
900
Anfossi Regiment (‘Regiment of Death’)
950
Borra Legion
900
Finanzieri
250
Volunteers of the Sabbia Valley
300
Cremona Volunteers (added subsequently)
250
Tridentine Students (added subsequently)
300
Polish Volunteers (added subsequently)
200
TOTAL:
5,10018
The Action of Storo, April 27th
To put an end to the badinage between Ponale and Riva, FML Welden ordered a simultaneous movement against both Chiese and Ampola-Thale, for the 27th. For this purpose, Lieutenant-Colonel Péchy, with his II/IR Schwarzenberg and Captain Zerboni’s 15/Kaiserjäger, left their quarters in Nago and Torbole, and embarked in vessels in Riva, at 05:00 on the 26th, their places in the vacated villages being taken by men from IR Baden. Two and a half hours later, the troops disembarked near Ponale Waterfall, on the western shore of Lake Garda, from where they marched west, along the Ledro Valley.
In the meanwhile, four and a half companies of 3/Feldjäger Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Signorini, had, at around 13:00, completed a gruelling 12 hour march to Tione, north of Condino, near where Colonel Anfossi intended to give battle.
That morning, Signorini feigned a withdrawal, hoping to draw Anfossi north, thus allowing Péchy to get behind him. Anfossi, however, did not take the bait, and was able to withdraw safely, though not before Thannberg’s force had been overwhelmed by Péchy. The volunteers withdrew to Caffaro and Lodrone, five kilometres south-west of Condino. Welden puts the Volunteers’ losses as ‘many dead’, with 30 killed, and two captured at Storo, without commensurate loss. In his report of April 28th, Welden was able to inform the Field Marshal that the Lower Tirol was now clear of the enemy.19
By the morning of the 29th, Welden’s forces in the South Tirol was disposed thus:
Four companies of III/ Kaiserjäger at Rivoli
Four companies of IR Baden, with half a battery, between Torbole and Tiarno III/Feldjäger Battalion & two companies of III/Kaiserjäger, in the Giudicaria
Two companies, IR Baden and one squadron Liechtenstein Chevauxlegers, in Trento
The remaining 22 companies, two squadrons, and half-battery were in the Adige Valley, between Volargne and Roveredo.
Welden himself was transferred to Venetia, later to take command of the forces intended for the blockade of Venice. His place was taken, on May 7th, by FML Count Lichnowsky.
The invasion of the Tirol had been an unmitigated disaster. Nothing had been gained, and much goodwill lost. Although many of the unfortunate volunteers had been sent into the mountains woefully ill clad and poorly equipped, another reason for the failure was the simple refusal of any help from the King’s Army, most especially, artillery. Even a few field guns and their crews would have been a considerable benefit.
MINOR OPERATIONS ON THE FRINGES OF THE TIROL IN MAY
Partly due to the nature of the terrain and the mixed nature of the populace, constant patrolling and probing by both sides was perhaps more frequent than in some other areas. There were almost constant unrecorded minor skirmishes between irregulars, as well as formed bands.
Ponte Tedesco, 12th May
On May 12th, Captain Zerboni received orders to send a reconnaissance patrol from his position at Storo, towards the village of Bondone, some two kilometres east of the north shore of Lake Idro. Zerboni pushed one platoon of his 15/Kaiserjäger, under Lieutenant Bruckner, together with 50 Vienna Volunteers, under (Captain) Dr. Pichler. These troops advanced to the settlement, finding it empty, and began the return march. At a bridge across the Caffaro Torrent, however, they encountered a force of some 300 men of Colonel Anfossi’s Cacciatori del Morte, with one gun, under the command of Captain Chiodi.
In the ensuing action, Bruckner and Pichler were supported by two platoons of 14/ IR Baden, Lieutenant Mayer, from the Val Ampola, and were able to drive Anfossi’s men back, then returning to Storo. One Viennese student was killed, and two others wounded. Austrian accounts report no other casualties, but the total is given by Fabris as eight killed and 18 wounded. Anfossi’s loss is given, also from Fabris, as ‘about 20’. 20
Darzo, 14th May
A force of volunteers with one gun, in two columns, moved from Lodrone at around 09:00. towards the village of Darzo, a little over two kilometres south-west of Storo. Austrian accounts speak of 1,000-1,200 men. The attackers opened their initial fire at 500 paces. There followed a desultory three-hour action between these troops, and Captain Cappi’s company of III/Feld-Jäger Battalion, supported by some Landesschützen. The Lombard artillery was ineffective, and a countermove finally drove the attackers off. Austrian casualties were reported as one killed, and the Italian as 21 killed, more wounded, and one deserter from IR Haugwitz taken prisoner.
Val D’Astico/Val Arsa, 16-19th May
A force of two companies, IR Ludwig and troop of Liechtenstein Chevauxlegers left Lavarone, a little under 20 kilometres south-east of Trento, on May 16th, for a sweep of the Val Astico. Another force of an officer and 60 moved slightly further west. On the 19th, in the Val Arsa, two platoons of IR Ludwig and 16 Landesschützen clashed with an irregular force of irregulars reported as some 2-300 men. Various skirmishes took place until darkness intervened. One man of IR Ludwig was killed, and Lieutenant Bayer wounded. Austrian reports state the enemy as losing 30-40 killed and wounded, very likely a very greatly exaggerated assessment.
Postscript – Lodrone, May 22nd
Unsatisfied with the situation, Count Lichnowsky issued orders to Colonel Melczer that Bagolino and Castle Lodrone be occupied. That evening, the troops assigned to the operation assembled in Storo, under Melczer’s command. They were III/Feldjäger Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Signorini, 13, 14, and two platoons of 2/Kaiser Jäger, 14/ IR Baden, four and a half companies of Landesschützen, a detachment of 14 pioneers, two 6 pounder cannon, one 3 pounder cannon, and two rocket tubes.
The three attack columns formed by these troops were:
Main Column: Three companies of III/Feldjäger, the ½ company of Kaiser Jäger, two companies of Landesschützen, and the artillery, and a detachment of Vienna Student volunteers, with the objective of Lodrone.
Right Flank Column: Three companies of III/Feldjäger, two of Landesschützen was to advance to the west of Caffaro, towards Bagolino.
Left Flank Column: 13 & 15/Kaiser Jäger, two platoons of Landesschützen, the pioneer detachment. This column was to advance to the east of Lodrone.
The area around Lodrone was defended by the Regiments of Colonel’s Beretta and Anfossi, perhaps 1,200-1,400 men, supported by two guns, commanded by Captain Chiodo. Beretta’s troops defended Lodrone itself. General Durando was himself present, with his Chief of Staff, to direct operations, with reinforcements available.
The Austrian advance began at about 05:00. After heavy fighting, Lodrone Castle was taken, and Beretta was unable to hold the crossing of the Caffaro torrent which ran south-east of the town. About 13:00, the Austrians crossed the Caffaro, partly over confusion about their uniforms, as described by Colonel Anfossi:
Meanwhile, the enemy, whose forces were stronger than ours, sent the Tirolean Jäger towards a path leading through the slopes of M. Bagolino. This path should have been garrisoned by a picket of Berretta’s, but alas, was actually unoccupied. The Tiroleans thus found the way open to the left of our position. Their uniforms were similar to those of Berretta’s men, and so they were able to advance, without opposition, through our lines, taking my men by surprise on their flank and in the rear.21
Durando ordered a withdrawal to Monte Suello. Monte Suello is a kind of northern advance work of Rocca D’Anfo, and the true core of that line.22 Melczer attempted a move upon the position several times, but it was unapproachable from that direction alone, and, under heavy fire, he withdrew. The column advancing on Bagolino was likewise stopped by the newly arriving 2nd Brescia Battalion, Major Gotto.
Finally, Melczer ordered the action broken off, and, at 20:00 pulled back through Lodrone and Darzo, to Storo. Durando did not re-cross the Caffaro, now considering it untenable. Austrian losses for such a long period of time, were extremely light, eight dead, and three officers and between 18 and 24 men wounded. 17 Lombard troops were made p
risoner, and their total loss may have been up to 100. 23
Though constant patrolling and skirmishing would continue to take place, no further serious efforts would be made by either side in this area.
_______________________
1
Soriga, p. 230.
2
This was a common contemporary theme.
3
Marchetti, p. 112 and Spellanzon, Vol. IV, p. 125. Dandolo gives a figure of 300 barrels, and, says that Noaro landed at Lazise, p. 63, and is followed by Bortolotti, p. 61.
4
Prybila, Karl v., Geschichte des k.k. Infanterie-Regiments Leopold II, König der Belgier Nr. 27 von dessen Errichtung 1682 bis 1882, pp. 639-640.
5
These figures from Welden, p. 6. Grüll, p. 135, states two 6 pounder batteries.
6
Hilleprandt, ‘1848’, p. 257.
7
Corselli, p. 74, asserts that the two commanders pre-empted Allemandi’s orders.
8
Cadolini, Giovanni, I ricordi di un volontario. Le campagne del 1848 e del 1849, Nuova Antologia, Rome, 1909, pp. 18-19.
9
Baroni, p. 58.
10
Grüll, p. 139. Strack, p. 90, says 448.
11
13 &16/ Kaiser Jäger, 4/3rd Feld-Jäger, and one company, IR Hohenlohe. There are conflicting accounts of the movements of some units in this confused series of actions. Kriegsbegenbenheiten 1848, Part 1, p. 105, and Pieri, p. 271, give Burlo three companies of Kaiser Jäger, and Batz only two. This is incorrect.
12
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