Battle of Milazzo
Milazzo, Sicily, Italy
What happened
Giuseppe Garibaldi's volunteers, the Redshirts, fought troops of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies under Ferdinando del Bosco. Garibaldi had landed in Sicily with about a thousand volunteers to help unite Italy. At Milazzo his larger force attacked the royal army's line, and the fighting lasted more than six hours. Del Bosco fell back into the citadel, which later surrendered.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Royal troops agreed to leave Sicily, which came under Garibaldi's control. It also formed the core of his Southern Army.
What came next
Garibaldi won at the Volturno in October and handed southern Italy to King Victor Emmanuel at Teano. The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in March 1861.
Did you know?
Garibaldi was knocked from his horse in a cavalry attack and saved by Giuseppe Missori.
Timeline
- 11 May 1860Garibaldi lands at Marsala.
- 20 July 1860Battle of Milazzo.
- 26 October 1860Garibaldi meets Victor Emmanuel at Teano.
- 17 March 1861The Kingdom of Italy is proclaimed.