Luigi SD

Context and Overview
The document examines the Expedition of the Thousand, led by Giuseppe Garibaldi, a key campaign in the unification of Italy. In 1860, Garibaldi and his volunteer army sailed from Quarto (near Genoa) to Sicily, aiming to overthrow the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and integrate it into a unified Italy under the House of Savoy (Piedmont-Sardinia). The text highlights the corruption and political intrigue that accompanied this campaign, focusing on the siege of Gaeta, a major Bourbon stronghold, and the involvement of figures like Luigi Scotti Douglas.
Scotti-Douglas Involvement
Luigi Scotti Douglas’s Role: The text mentions Luigi Scotti Douglas, identified as Count of Vigoleno and a General in the Bourbon army. Luigi, previously noted in the family’s genealogical records as a Captain of the Guard under the King of the Two Sicilies and a Knight of the Order of Charles III, is depicted here as a significant figure in the Bourbon resistance. During the siege of Gaeta (November 1860–February 1861), Luigi commanded 800 Bourbon troops, alongside General Cialdini, who led a larger Piedmontese force. The Bourbon forces at Gaeta, under King Francis II, resisted the Piedmontese siege but ultimately surrendered in February 1861, marking a turning point in the unification process.

Military Context: Luigi Scotti Douglas’s troops were part of the Bourbon defense at Gaeta, a fortified coastal city where Francis II and his court had retreated after losing Naples. The siege involved intense bombardment by Piedmontese forces, supported by the French navy, which protected the Bourbon royal family. Luigi’s role as a commander underscores the Scotti-Douglas family’s loyalty to the Bourbon monarchy, consistent with their historical ties (e.g., the 1801 diploma from Charles III).

Corruption and Political Intrigue
Garibaldi’s Expedition: The text describes the Expedition of the Thousand as marred by corruption. It cites a letter from Ancona seeking to ingratiate the author with Sicilian officials, revealing a practice of offering bribes and favors to secure political support. This letter, dated around the time of the Sicilian campaign (May–October 1860), suggests that electoral colleges were manipulated to favor unification, with promises of impunity for crimes if the vote supported Piedmontese rule.

Financial Misconduct: The document details extensive financial corruption, including 1,250,000 francs spent on coal, clothing, weapons, and other supplies for the expedition, much of which was misappropriated. It also notes that Italian forces under General Persano offered significant sums to French and foreign troops to secure their withdrawal, highlighting the role of bribery in achieving military objectives.

Piedmontese Strategy: The Piedmontese government, led by figures like Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, is portrayed as orchestrating a calculated campaign to annex the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The text criticizes the imposition of heavy taxes on southern populations to fund the war effort, as well as the use of violence and intimidation to suppress dissent. It mentions specific atrocities, such as the attack on a square in Gaeta, which the Bourbons attributed to Piedmontese aggression.

Siege of Gaeta and Bourbon Resistance
Military Engagements: The siege of Gaeta is a focal point, with the Bourbon forces, including Luigi Scotti Douglas’s 800 troops, resisting Piedmontese attacks. The text notes that General Cialdini led a larger contingent of 12,000 Piedmontese soldiers, supported by artillery and naval bombardment. The Bourbons, under Francis II, held out for several months, but the city fell in February 1861 after sustained attacks and dwindling supplies.

Aftermath: Following Gaeta’s fall, Bourbon troops were dispersed, with some, like Luigi Scotti Douglas, likely taken prisoner or forced into exile. The text mentions the Bourbon royal family’s evacuation, facilitated by the French navy, and the subsequent integ