RIOT AT CASERTA.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 355, 19 March 1861, Page 4

RIOT AT CASERTA.

Salerno, Nov. 29.

The departure of the English Legion from Caserta has been expedited by an occurrence of a somewhat unexpected nature ; some of tbe Italian regiments stationed (here having joiued in an attack upon the members of the brigade, which began to assume a very serious aspect. The afl'air commenced on tbe evening of the 27th irstant, and would appear to have originated in some dispute which occurred at the cafe", between the Eoglish and a party of Italian volunteers. It resulted in an attack being made upon the English, who were only some halfdozen or so in number, and were armed merely with their bayonets. They were driven out of fhe cafti into the street, but managed for some lime to defend themselves successfully, until the number of their assailants had very considerably increased.

An immense crowd of the Italian volunteers was assembled in the centre of the square, and in the midst were the English. The English were borne into the Italian barracks, but contrived ta fight their way out. A body of their oppi neDta then rushed from their barracks, armed with swords, sticks, &«., and made an indiscriminate attack upon the English, who were compelled to retreat. The whole body rushed down the street leading to the English barracks, braudishiug their swords, and crying ' Down with the English.' The latter made the best of their way to their barracks, with a view of rousing their comrades and returning with assistance, as it was known that several of the English volunteei'3 were about in different parts of the town, and if they mej||ny of the Italians in the infuriated state they were in, it was feared they would be cut down without mercy. Several of them- who \veiu returning to the barracks by twos and threes were a good deal kuocked aliout and bruised, but escaped without serious injury. Iv the meantime the great body of the Italians rushed up to the Euglish barracks, pushed passed the sentries, who were unable si'agly to oppose any resistance, and ran up the steps leading to the officers' quarters, clamoring for the Englnh Commandant. Major Smelt, tin? officer iv command, whose privacy had been rather suddenly invaded by the Italians, came down and procured the assistance of General Zacchi and of several other commanding officers, who endeavored to pacify their men, who appeared to be satisfied with nothing less than the total and immediate extirpation of the entire English brigade. The English officers also

Wried down, and fortunately met the body of their men which was coming down at the • double,' in Lime to prevent an actual collision, which in a few moments more would have undoubtedly occurred. For a long time the English refused to retire. Major Smelt at length made his appearance ; and he stated that he had seen General Zacchi who had promised that the whole matter should be investigated jin the morning. He would ask them as a personal favor to go quietly to their beds, andj they might rest satisfied that-a thorough investigation would be made in the morning. 1

The Major's assurance had the effect of parlially allaying the storm, and the English; went to their rooms, the Italians having been at the same time got rid of by similar means. Several Englishmen were shortly afterwards brought in : some of them much hurt and bruised. Sergeant Clark, of the 10th company, was killed, having received a bayonet thrust through the chest, and similar wounds in otber parts of the body. Anoiher volunteer named Lockhart was also seriously wounded by bayonet thrusts, and now lies at the hospital at Caserta in a very precarious condition. The Italians did not escape entirely scot free,, as many of them were a good deal knocked about; but I have not learned that any of them have received serious injury.

la the morning the Italians assembled in crowds round the gates, hissing, groaning, and throwing stones at every Englishman who presented himself; being only kept from entering the barracks by the efforts of a detachment of the National Guard ; but more difficulty was experienced by our officers in keeping their men in than the others out, they being as anxious as their opponents to resort to the arbitratment of arms. So strong was the feeling manifested, that it was considereJlnecessary to remove the brigade entirely from Caserta, as the ouly meaDS of preventing a collision. Everything was immediately prepared for departure, and the men having been drawn up in square, Major Smelt addressed them. Having explained the necessity existing for their leaving Caserta, he asken them, in case any hostile demonstration wasi attempted on the part of the Italians on their way to the station, not to take any notice of it, but to march steadily forward, as otherwise, he had no doubt it would end in a general fight. The order to march was then given, and the brigade moved forward to a station, . where a !;rain was waiting in readiuess. The departure passed off quietly. Having arrived at ftfcples the train stopped about half an hour, and 'proceeded to Nocera, and the brigade thence marched to Salerno. They were very favorably received by the inhabitants, and a great portiou of the night was consumed in fraternising with them.

An accident happened in the train just before we reached Maddaloni, a few miles from Caserta, by which a corporal named Gordon was somewhat seriously Injured, anil two other men in the same carriage bruised. It appears that Gordon had his rifle loaded, and a private, named Henson, happened to take it up from the corner in which it was standing, when it suddenly exploded, from some unexplained oause, and burst one of the pieces, striking Gordon just above the eye. Henson also had his arm much bruised, and another private, named De Cardi, was also struck; by a splinter.