Casalduni
A bloody tragedy
The text tells of a series of bloody events that took place in August 1861 in Pontelandolfo and Casalduni, in the province of Benevento. These episodes are part of a broader context that followed the Unification of Italy, in which the newly born Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) implemented a remarkable action to suppress the phenomenon of post-unity Brigandage in southern Italy.
Spiral of violence
It all began with the raid of a group of brigands in the two municipalities of Pontelandolfo and Casalduni, which led to the killing of 45 soldiers near Casalduni. This was followed by a military retaliation that targeted the citizens and villages of the two towns, leaving behind a large number of fatalities and a wound that was never healed.
Differences in accounts
The accounts of those events vary depending on the different historical sources, with discrepancies between the reported number of victims. The official records do not mention any casualties, while other sources report up to 400 or even 1,000 deaths.
The story
The newly united Italy in 1861 saw many revolts by the so-called "reactionaries" who remained loyal to the Bourbons. Pontelandolfo, a small village south of the Matese mountains, was often a refuge for these rebels. In 1860, the patriot Giuseppe de Marco arrived in the village with a band of volunteers from the Italian National Guard. However, the increase of brigands in the mountains led him, together with the town's liberals, the mayor, the public safety delegate, the captains, and lieutenants, to leave the city.
On August 7, 1861, the brigands of the "fra Diavolo" brigade occupied an empty Pontelandolfo. Then, several clashes occurred between the soldiers of the new Kingdom of Italy and the rebels, leading to a military retaliation that caused many people to flee.
Differences in accounts
As mentioned earlier, accounts vary depending on different historical sources. The newspaper "Il Popolo d'Italia" reports only one victim, while other writings speak of casualties ranging from 13 to 1,000.
A bloody tragedy
Public order was sadly maintained by Neapolitan soldiers, who were stolen from the rebel army. The violence continued in other towns, such as Fragneto Monforte and Campolattaro, and the partisans stole weapons and goods from the liberals until the situation spiraled into a long-term violence.
In general, the history of these bloody tragedies is still complex and controversial. However, what remains clear is that the events of Pontelandolfo and Casalduni constitute a painful page in national history, witnessing the efforts of a newly-born kingdom to preserve the unity of the country and its territorial integrity. These events remain a stain in the historical memory of our country and must be remembered as a lesson in humanity and respect for all those who, through the fight against injustice, have tried to shape a more just and democratic Italy.
