Rome. Roman Republic. Rome is defended by approximately 10,000 soldiers of the Republic (the other half of the 20,000 who make up the army are deployed in other areas of Lazio). The troops are divided into four brigades: the first, commanded by Garibaldi, guards the Janiculum between Porta Portese and Porta San Pancrazio; the second, under the command of Colonel Luigi Masi, is stationed on the walls between Porta Angelica and Porta Cavalleggeri; the third, with Colonel Savini’s dragoons, controls the walls on the left bank of the Tiber; while the fourth, under the command of Colonel Galletti, represents a reserve unit stationed between the Chiese Nuove and Largo Argentina. The French attack arrives opposite Porta Cavalleggeri and Porta Angelica with 5,000 soldiers. Oudinot’s contingent is attacked by cannon fire and rifle fire and repelled by the mobilized Civic Guard. In the fighting, which lasted until evening, Garibaldi distinguished himself by emerging from Porta San Pancrazio (on the Janiculum Hill) with the Roman University Battalion and his Italian Legion just as the French were about to retreat. He surprised the retreating besiegers at Villa Doria-Pamphili with a bayonet attack, causing their rout. That evening, Oudinot ordered a retreat to Civitavecchia, leaving behind over 500 dead and 365 prisoners.
