THE "GENERAL"

(the estense battalion recreating the rebellion in Milan that sparked off the war)

(Here is the Piazza of the five days in Milan that honours the people who ousted the Austrians from Milan at the start of the war)

garibaldini in Austrian tunics

Nobody wanted the Garibaldini. They were referred from one ministry to another but upon reaching Milan they were given the opportunity of organising a volunteer corps. Garibaldi was famous for his exploits in South america so it seems incredible that no one wanted him to run an army. He got together 5,000 men . The men were outfitted in the remnnts of Austrian uniforms left behind and were called "a regiment of cooks.