Luigi SD 4

The document, an excerpt from Garibaldi, corruzione ... by Alfio Caruso, examines the corruption and political intrigue during Giuseppe Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand in 1860, a key event in Italian unification. It focuses on the siege of Gaeta, where Luigi Scotti Douglas, a Bourbon General and Count of Vigoleno, led 800 troops in defense of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies against Piedmontese forces. The text details widespread bribery, financial misconduct (e.g., 1,250,000 francs misappropriated), and violence, including Piedmontese attacks on Gaeta and heavy taxation on southern populations. Luigi’s loyalty to the Bourbons, his post-Gaeta service under Ferdinand II, and his critical letter to Cavour reflect the Scotti-Douglas family’s struggle during unification, connecting to their broader history of noble and military service.