Garibaldi - Hero - Pirate - Military Leader

I am Giuseppe Garibaldi, born in humble circumstances in 1807.  My father was a seaman, but then what more can one desire to be, living in Nice, so near the sea?  For a while, it too was my destiny.  I sailed, traded and sometimes it has been noted that I ‘pirated’, but never without good reason or cause.

Looking back on my life and times, I suppose I was a militant.  I wonder now if it was because I believed in a ‘cause’ such as the unification of Italy, my homeland, or a need to do battle.  It is written that I believed in liberty of all more than religion, which I felt enslaved men; or garnering great wealth, or even the love of a beautiful woman.  Tis true, I believed in liberty and freedom enough to fight and die for it.

‘Cause’ was always my first thought prior to major action.  It was while docked in Taganrog, Russia I first became acquainted with Giuseppe Mazzini, a great patriot who inflamed my hatred of despots or any figure attempting to enslave another. 

My first expedition into battle was when I traveled to Brazil, where I honorably joined the gaucho rebels fighting for the rights of the poor, the farmers who were struggling against a dictatorial regime. Sad to say, it was a lost cause.  I suffered defeat, but it was there I met Ana Ribeiro da Silva. For her, I was content to give up my quest to overthrow tyranny and be content raising a family in Montevideo, Uruguay. 

It was a futile attempt to be at peace for a lifetime.  It was back to the sea as I gathered countrymen from Italy to fight in the Uruguayan Civil War, and for six years I defended Montevideo.  

Always the news from my homeland disturbed me.  I soon took my legion of Italians and returned to help defend Italy, not only from French invaders but from revolutionary citizens of Milan, after the rebellion against Austrian occupation.  Eventually, my compatriot legion of fighters entered Rome to battle the French invaders.  I again faced defeat when a truce was negotiated allowing the French Army to enter Rome and reestablish the Holy See as the governing power.

I am saddened now to think of the disgrace, fleeing with my men, and even more saddened to lose my beloved Anita, who had followed me through battle and defeat.  She died on our way to San Marino, along with our fifth child.  I so regret that I allowed her to be with me, but I never wanted to be without her.  She was my strength.

I was without funds and desolate when blessed by the kindness of a wealthy merchant, Francesco Carpanetto, who suggested I captain a merchant ship which was bought in the United States.  I traveled to New York to take command of the vessel, only to learn the funds had never been presented.  Destitute, I accepted residence with various successful Italian men of the city.  For a time I was employed on Staten Island to work in a candle factory.

My restlessness was overpowering and in 1851 I went to Central America as a companion to an Italian businessman using an assumed name Giuseppe Pane.  There I was recruited to Captain a vessel sailing from Peru to China.  I was born to be at sea.  I was sure that would be my lasting lifetime destiny.  

Strange as it may seem, even to me, I became a farmer on the Island of Caprera after the death of my brother.  At least I attempted farming until I was appointed major general leading a volunteer force against the Austrians.  My victories were diminished by the surrender of Nice, my city of birth to Napolean’s French force.

Yes, you would say I was a militant, fighting for causes, some won, some lost, some futile.  Battle after battle after battle, I led my volunteer troops fighting from city to city until I could be victorious liberating my Italia. 

There was a time I almost became a Major General in President Lincoln’s war in the United States.  I had a stipulation that the war would be declared as the abolition of slavery.  The President declined, so I did not accept the offer.  This was most unfortunate since I eventually was shot in the foot, taken as a prisoner, and sent by steamer to a prison in Varignano. 

After being restored to good health, I was allowed to go back to Cabrera.  I did not stay there long before my restlessness took me to London.  I soon returned to again lead my Hunters of the Alps, now about 40,000 of them to defeat the Austrians.  This major victory was insufficient to acquire victory, and an armistice was signed with the Austrians giving Venetia to Italy.

My demise came in 1882 when I was interred in Cabrera and my militant spirit accompanied me to the grave.

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