Historical voices

The enemy had never seen the backs of those true sons of liberty.

The troops were only about sixty in number, and they had to confront terrible ambuscades; but such were their indomitable boldness and perseverance, that they passed in safety.

The Republicans then felt the defect and the evils of being composed chiefly of men brave indeed, but who did not know the importance of keeping their ranks, except when the enemy appeared, and relaxed in discipline whenever they were…

I have served the cause of the people in America, and served it with sincerity, as I everywhere fought against absolutism.

One of those things occurred on their issuing from the wood, which prove how far man is the child of circumstances, and what effect may be produced by a panic, even on the most intrepid soldiers.

I thought myself in the performance of my duty, in encountering and overcoming the dangers to which I exposed myself, as the object I had in view was the good of men who needed my aid.

Then, whatever might happen, I was looked upon with smiles; and the more wild the extensive and desert American plains appeared, the more beautiful and delightful they seemed to our eyes.

My wife was my treasure, and no less fervent in the cause of the people than myself; and she looked upon battles as an amusement, and the inconveniences of a life in the field as a pastime.

I had to contemplate a terrible spectacle on every vessel, as I visited them all in succession, the decks being strewn with the dead.

I had sent Anna with the message, directing her to remain on shore; but she returned on board with the answer, showing a coolness and courage which excited my astonishment and highest admiration.

I was at my post in the Rio Pardo; and my wife, the incomparable Anita, fired the first shot, putting the match to the gun with her own hand, and animating with her voice the timid and the hesitating.

Nothing would prevent them from engaging in a general scene of pillage.

The authority of a commander availed nothing; nor could all the exertions made by myself and a few officers control their unbridled cupidity.

I wish, for myself, and for every other person who has not forgotten to be a man, to be exempt from the necessity of witnessing the sack of a town.

My wife not only refused to land, but took an active part in the engagement.

I prayed for forgiveness, for I thought of the sin of taking her from her home.

I felt most deeply self-reproach on that day when, at the mouth of the Po, having landed, in our retreat from an Austrian squadron, while still hoping to restore her to life, on taking her pulse I found her a corpse, and sang the hymn of…

I saluted her; we were soon acquainted; and I found that the hidden treasure which I had discovered was of rare and inestimable worth.

One of the other sex, I thought must supply the vacant place, for I had always regarded woman as the most perfect of creatures, and believe it far easier to find a loving heart among that sex.

I desired a friend of a different character; for, although still young, I had considerable knowledge of men, and knew enough to understand what was necessary for me in a true friend.

By the loss of Luigi Carniglia, Eduardo and my other comrades, I was left in a state of complete isolation, and felt as if alone in the world.

To have a wife and children appeared to me decidedly repulsive, as I had devoted my whole life to one principle, which, however good it might be, could not leave me the quietness necessary to the father of a family.

I had never thought of matrimony, but had considered myself incapable of it from being of too independent a disposition, and too much inclined to adventure.

The inhabitants received us like brothers and liberators: a character which we well merited, and which we sustained during our stay among those very kind and good people.