ROMAN STATES. [From the Correspondent of the Chronicle.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 442, 27 October 1849, Page 3

ROMAN STATES. [From the Correspondent of the Chronicle.]

Rome, Sunday, June 3, six a.m. — Our slumbers have been disturbed by the beat of the g&i&ale, and the dread note of military preparation. A smart fire of musketry under Monte Mario, and in the neighbourhood of Ponte Molle, and the boom of heavy guns, directed against the Transtevere face of the city, have been heard for two hours past. The Triumvirate distinctly state, that, in his answer to General Roselli's request of an armistice, Oudinot declared his intention to make a new attack upon Rome, but not before Monday. And yet, the soldier of the Pope, the hero of the new crusade of the nineteenth century, must choose a Sunday of all days in the week, to open his batteries and launch his legions against the capital of Christendom, and and the most superb city in the world ! Ten. —^Operations commenced with an attempt of the French to re-establish the passage of Ponte Molle, with a view to an attack on the Porta del Popolo, in which they were defeated by Roselli's division. This was accompanied by a feint assault on the Vaticao. A cannonade was opened on Porta San Pancrazio and the line of walls adjacent, from a heavy battery, with a view to effect a practicable breach. The fire was vigorously replied to from the bastions of San Pancrazio and the Vatican, which latter take the enemy's position in flank. Two. — The cannonade and fire of musketry have lasted all day,' but the French have made no progress. Now the attack seemi concentrated on San Pancrazio, Six p,m. — A glorious day's work ! The French have not gained one foot of ground — not at any point have they succeeded in coming within the walls. Five field-pieces have been dismounted by the fire from the old bastions and walls of Rome; one Roman gun has burst, but (a thing almost incredible) without hurting any of the men stationed at it. At two, a battalion of infantry, backed by a large force of cavalry, approached the gate of St. Paul, close to the Tiber ; but finding they could do no, good, they desisted. About this time the enemy's fire seemed to envelope fully one-naif the circumference of Rome. Seven. — The cannonade has slackened, after a last effort, but to no purpose. Nine. — All is now quiet ; but the firing has lasted from before 4 a.m., until half-past 8 p.m., nearly fifteen hours. The Roman loss is 100 killed and 450 wounded; that of the French is supposed to be at least 2000 in all. Before 4 a.m., a battalion of French riflemen, about 400 strong tried to cross the Tiber, at Ponte Molle : they placed their accoutrements in portable boats of leather, and then swam the current, which is as rapid as the Thames at London. Calandrelli, with his battalion, killed a good many, and prevented them from crossing. At the same time, nearer the bridge, a large body of French advanced with a white flag, making signs of amity to the Romans across the river ; but as their skirmishers

opened fire .on reaching the banks, a reply was made from two or three field pieces well charged with grape, which demolished them considerably. On the Transtevere side, the Villa Pamphili-Doria (the most beautiful residence in the environs of Rome) has been taken and retaken three or four times in the course of the day, and finally set on fire by the French. Here Garibaldi and his legion were stationed, as on the 30th of April, and their exertions have been at least equally successful, though with the loss of many brave and active officers to the Romans. Here fell Daverio, Garibaldi's righthand man, Mazzina, and Marochetti. About 5 in the morning, Porta Angelica, I am informed, was nearly taken, which would have given the French the key of the Vatican. Three men of Melara's .regiment were taken prisoners by the French, and immediately afterwards shot / So much for the Algerines. News from Rome of the Bth stated that the bombardment commenced on the sth, and was renewed on the 6th, when the Palazzo Spada, Palazzo Madama, and the church of Santa "Sabina, on the Aventine, showed the effects of the enemy's shells. A tremendous storm of thunder and lightning added the " warring of the elements" to that of man, and the scene was awfully grand. The Milan Gazette of the 12th inst. states that the losses of the Romans, since the commencement of hostilities, amounted to about 2000 killed, wounded, or prisoners. *' Rome," it says, " is calm, but the enthusiasm which animated the people on the 30th of April no longer exists. The troops are likewise greatly discouraged. The Deputies and other influential personages anxiously look forward to the news from France, to know if they are to hope or despair. The price of provisions has increased." The Concordia, of Turin, of the 14th inst. quotes the following letter, dated Civita Vecchia, the 11th :—: — " On the 10th the six batteries of siege opened their fire upon Rome. On the 1 lth the fighting still continued." The latest news informs us that a steamer which arrived from Civita Vecchia at Marseilles on the 17th has brought news that the French army entered Rome on the 14th, through the breach.