The war moves no longer with an uncertain step. The
bulk of the Allied Army, concentrated between Alessandria and Vercelli, has in part crossed the Sesia, fought two actions, and compelled the Austrians to retire behind the Agogna.
The concentration of the Allies took place at the close of last week. Disregarding the movements of a hostile force which menaced them from the valley of the Trebbia, and sent patrols to Montebello, King Victor Emmanuel was on Monday ordered across the Sesia. The Emperor had fixed his head-quarters at Casale, and no doubt was in sight of the field. The Sardinian division of Cialdini expelled the army from Casalino, Vinzaglio, and Palestro. They passed the night on the ground, the King sleeping at Torrione. Early on Tuesday morning Zobel's corps advanced from Robbio and attacked the whole front aiming at Palestro. Canrobert's troops on the left and Niel's on the right were ready to succour their comrades. The French had bridges over the Sesia, and as the Austrians outflanked the Piedmontese right, and were doing execution with a battery, the Emperor sent a regiment of Zouaves against them, and advanced Tron- ehu's division in support. The Zouaves carried the position, took six .ef the guns, and swept the enemy from the field. Repulsed in front and menaced on both flanks, the'Austrians retreated, leaving one thousand prisoners and eight guns, two being taken by the Piedmontese, in the hands of the Allies. The next morning the Austrians made another fruitless attack, and Niel entered Novara. On Thursday, the Austrians skirmished in front with the French, to cover a movement of their sick and wounded across the Agogna. Seeing the Allies in force on the east of the Sesia, the Austrians withdrew their troops from the right bank of the Po. Niel is supposed to be on the Ticino at Baffalora.
What has been the fate of Garibaldi is at present uncertain. The Austrian reports shut him up in the Valteline. Later tele- grams describe him as still holding Como and Cantu, and master of both the Lakes Maggiore and Como. The Valteline is in revolt, and the towns and districts about Como send volunteers to Garibaldi. On the other hand Urban, the Austrian leader, is said to have recovered Varese, and Garibaldi is said to have beaten him and to have retaken it. Out of these conflicting accounts we can make nothing. The two Emperors are now in presence ; the two armies are face to face ; the French cavalry have come up. These are elements out of which something stirring cannot fail soon to come.
