Garibaldi defeats the Bourbon army at Calatafimi. Garibaldi’s troops, under his command, consist of 1,089 volunteers, including 37 skilled Carabinieri sharpshooters known as “Genoese,” 500 Sicilian picciotti, and 2,000 local peasants. The Bourbon troops, under Brigadier General Landi, consist of approximately 3,000 Bourbon soldiers: the VIII Cacciatori Battalion commanded by Major Sforza, the II Battalion of the X Regiment of the Line commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Pini, the II Battalion of the Carabinieri commanded by Lieutenant Colonel De Cosiron, four howitzers, and a Squadron of Horse Cacciatori. After an initial advance, the Bourbon troops retreat, partly out of surprise at the courage and discipline of Garibaldi’s men, which arouses admiration among the Neapolitan Cacciatori and many Bourbon soldiers. In military history, the Battle of Calatafimi represents a decisive engagement, little more than a skirmish. Nevertheless, the clash would have enormous strategic consequences. The disorganized arrival of Landi’s column, with soldiers exhausted by fatigue and hunger, would make a profound impression on the citizens of Palermo. Garibaldi would immediately assume, in the popular imagination, the role of an invincible leader, under whose command they would unite to fight the Neapolitan occupiers.
