Cavour devised a lightning military operation to capitalize on Garibaldi’s expedition. He attacked the Papal States (something unthinkable just a few weeks earlier!), keeping well clear of Lazio and Rome, protected by French troops, and then advanced on Naples, where Garibaldi was stationed. Manfredo Fanti initially commanded the Piedmontese, but he later retired due to illness. Another man from Modena, Cialdini, took command. He led the larger of the two columns and entered the Marche with five divisions through Umbria and Romagna.
