Sold – Garibaldi Attempts to Stir American Interest in the Struggle for Mexican Independence

Garibaldi was an Italian patriot and soldier who brought about the formation of a unified Italy in 1860. In doing so he expelled foreign troops and brought the subjects of independence and freedom to the attention of the world. Idealists, liberals and revolutionaries became involved in Garibaldi’s movement; Luigi Ghilardi was one of these, serving as a general in Garibaldi’s army.

France was eager to add to its empire even as Garibaldi triumphed, and when Mexico stopped making loan payments, used it as a pretext to invade that country. AFrench fleet was on hand by 1861, and its army arrived in early 1862 with the finest modern equipment and a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion, intent on placing a European monarch as head of the Mexican state.

To many of Garibaldi’s supporters, this attempt to impose on Mexico one of the same odious royal families that they were battling in Europe was an attack on freedom and independence and utterly unacceptable. General Ghilardi decided to go to Mexico and fight for its liberty.

With some letters of introduction from Garibaldi, he disembarked in the United States and interviewed with President Lincoln and General George B. McClellan in an attempt to obtain aid for Mexico to fight the French invasion.

The Americans were sympathetic (Lincoln had offered Garibaldi a generalship in the Union Army), but the U.S. was involved in its own Civil War at the time and was unable to provide any direct assistance. Ghilardi was given safe passage and proceeded with five other Italian officers to Acapulco where Mexican General Juan Alvarez appointed him commander of the fort there. After three months Ghilardi left that command and went to Mexico City where he delivered a letter from Garibaldi to President Benito Jua´rez. In February of the following year Ghilardi made his way to the Mexican Army of the East, which had the task of defending the city of Puebla. In spite of the courageous resistance put up by the Mexicans, the French took and occupied the city in May.

Ghilardi managed to escape from the enemy with a small group of soldiers and took shelter in Guadalajara, where he was named second in command in July 1863. The French, gaining victories, refused a truce and chased the Mexican forces through the north of the country. In a mopping-up operation, a French battalion arrived at Colotlan where Ghilardi was sheltered and he fell into their hands. The French court marshalled him, sentenced him and other Mexican patriots to death, and executed them on March 16, 1864. Thus ended Ghilardi’s quest for the freedom and independence of Mexico, which he considered his second native land.

This is the actual letter of introduction from Garibaldi that Ghilardi presented to General McClellan.

Autograph Letter Signed, Caprera, Italy, February 11, 1862, in French, to McClellan. “My friend General Ghilardi, taking advantage of the truce in which we find ourselves in Italy, plans to go to Mexico and serve the cause of that nation. He is known in this part of the new world from distinguished services rendered in an earlier period and he would like to be recommended to you by me so that he can outline a project in which your assistance could be of great importance. Depending on your kindness, I dare to present to you this friend and comrade-in-arms.”

A fascinating piece of North American history, highlighting the connection of Europeans, the United States and Mexico in the struggle for liberty. French rule in Mexico was short-lived; by 1867 the French were expelled and their puppet ruler, Maximilian, was dead.