Two days after the defeat of Sedan during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 which signs the fall of Napoleon III, Paris protests and the Third Republic was proclaimed. Garibaldi following events closely. At the proclamation of the Republic, it sends a message to the Government of National Defence that remains unanswered "What's left of me is at your disposal, have." Fringe conservative Catholic and sees him as a revolutionary opponent of 1849 and 1867. Finally, some support of the Popular Committees and government figures, Garibaldi, although weakened by arthritis, sailed to Marseilles, where the reception was enthusiastic. He reiterated his support for Republican France: "I come to give France the rest of me. France is a country that I love, "" I was too unhappy when I thought the Republicans fought without me. "
After joining Tours, serving as its capital, and Léon Gambetta, Minister of War and defender of the resistance against the Prussians, it is offered by a small one commandment, no French officer agreeing not be under his command. Because of the fear of starting Garibaldi, Gambetta gave him the command of all the corps area Vosges, Paris to Strasbourg and a brigade of mobile guards as he is accustomed, are poorly armed and ill-equipped to deal with a particularly cold winter.
Garibaldi up his staff to Dole (October 14), and on 11 November, he organized the army into four brigades under the commandment of his two son, Ricciotti and Menotti, Delpech will be replaced by Cristiano Lobbia and Polish Jozef Bossak-Hauke. Bordone is meanwhile Chief of Staff and the son of Garibaldi, Stefano Canzio, chief of headquarters before becoming commander of the 5th Brigade.
November 19, Ricciotti inflicts defeat to the Prussians General Werder Châtillon-sur-Saône, but the theater remains Dijon. On 26 November, the city has been occupied since October 31 can not be reversed to the Prussians. They are repulsed at a cons-offensive on December 1st. It was not until 21 January 1871 for Garibaldi moved to Dijon, evacuated by the Prussians December 17, the latter being informed of the arrival from the north of the French regular troops led by General Bourbaki.
21, 22 and 23 January 1871, Dijon is attacked by the Prussians 4000: Garibaldi emerges victorious while Ricciotti grabs a flag of the 61st regiment Pomeranian. An armistice enter into force 28 January 1871 terminating the participation of Garibaldi.
Military operations by Garibaldi heavily criticized by the military authorities. In 1903, Foch publishes principles of war. He points out that Garibaldi, when he could use a single brigade, stopped his 000 men from 20 to 30 deal with the Prussian brigade of 4,000 men instead of to the aid of the army of the East Bourbaki, as he had ordered. Foch then makes the pride of Garibaldi responsible for the disaster of the Army of the East.
In February 1871, Garibaldi was elected on the lists of the Republican Union without being a candidate, the French National Assembly as a member of the Côte-d'Or, Paris, Algiers and Nice. In Paris, he came in fourth place behind Louis Blanc and Victor Hugo Gambetta. Because of his Italian nationality invalidating the election against libel and the new monarchist majority in the House who are accused of not having fought, he accepts his terms to appear before the National Assembly from which he went to defend the cause of the men he commanded. Right violently opposed to any intervention, as Garibaldi retired.
Garibaldi was re-elected in Algerian suppletive elections, that the Assembly invalids, in March, because he does not have French nationality.
Victor Hugo démissionnede its own mandate as a sign of support.
On March Garibaldi dissolves the volunteers and returns to Caprera.
... to be continued...
