A Tapestry of Kings,
Fools, and Traitors

The Formation and Fall
of the Parthenon Republic
of Naples in 1799

The National Guard, 1799

by Robert Fletcher, USA

+ died in battle * executed by the Bourbons On January 23, 1799, a Military Committee was formed “to protect the Republic from enemies external and internal”, to address military issues, and to oversee the formation of a National Guard. The Military Committee was formed of Minister of War Gabrielle Manthone*, Doria, Moliterno, and Arcambal. The Committee drew up articles creating a National Guard, both foot and horse, establishing a Navy, and forming the staff and logistics necessary to run the military and security forces. La Guardia Nazionale - National Guard Organisation On 30 January, Citizen General Moliterno was put in charge of the Neapolitan Republican Army. Volunteers were called for and on February 4, four Patriot companies were formed for civic defense. Later horsemen were called for and some 400 Hussars were made available. On February 12 plans were drawn up to organize a National Guard Cavalry and on the 24th the Military Committee published the National Guard organization. The National Guard organization was directed to be composed of 6 Infantry Legions of 12 battalions (72 companies), a training Legion of 8-16 year old boys, two Cavalry Legions, and artillery. Officers were elected for the Legions consisting of 36 captains, 36 instructors, and 144 lieutenants. By March, three Legions were stated complete and ready. Later in March, general officers and Battalion commanders were elected including: Commanding General Agamemnone Spano* (later replaced by Francesco Bassetti), General Giuseppe Wirtz+ (killed at battle of Maddalena bridge), Francesco Federici*, Gennaro Sera* (second in command), Francesco Federici* (Cavalry General), Oronzio Massa* (General of Artillery), Francesco Pignatelli (former commander of the Roman Legion) and Vicenzo Palomba. Vincenzo Cuoco, a witness in Naples estimated the number of National Guardsmen to be 14,000 total, but badly employed and demoralized. The Parthenopean National Guard was further divided into active and sedentary units. On 3 April, a national cavalry committee was formed composed of Pietro Mattia Grotter, Antonio Tocco*, Francesco Davalos, Alfonso Crivelli, and Gennaro Serra* (second in command). At the time the National Guard cavalry was composed of 1 Legion divided into two squadrons each of two companies of 64 men (excluding officers). Cavalry Legion staff: 1 Legion “Chef”, 2 Squadron Chef, 4 Captains, 4 First Lieutenants, 4 Second Lieutenants, 1 Quartermaster, 2 Instructors, 2 Adjutants, 2 Standard Bearers, and 4 Trumpeters. Each soldier provided horse, horse furniture, and uniform, the government to provide food and supplies. In mid-May, three regiments of Cavalry were ready each of 12 companies of 54 men mounted, excluding officers. In late March, a corps of National Guard Gendarmes was organized from volunteers for internal security. Provincial militia and National Guards were organized in each city and town under the Republic as was Municipal Companies to maintain order. National Guard Operations: On 12 February, Championnet ordered French General Duhesme (replaced by General Brousier) and 6,000 French with a Neapolitan Legion of 1,000 to put down insurrectionists in Foggia. 11 March, General Ettore Carafa* commanded the cavalry in action attacked Brigands at Pescara noting Captain Giannone for bravery in the victory. In Calabria, Lt. Gaspare de Chiara and 800 men surrendered to Cardinal Ruffo. 16 March, the Neapolitan Legion commanded by General Carafa was conducting operations with French forces under Brousier, 100 horse were attached. Another 1,000 man Neapolitan Legion or column was sent as reinforcements. 23 March, the Bruzia Legion departed for Calabria with 500 infantry and 200 horse. General Guiseppe Schipani* and a Legion was sent to Calabria with 1,200 men. The limit of the advance was Sicignano. Defeated by Ruffo’s advance guard, Schipani’s forces were later cut off in Torre Annuziata having to fight through Ruffo’s army to reach Naples, which they accomplished. In Foggia, a National Guard force of 2,000 Republicans fought under Michelangelo+ and Girolamo Vaccaro+. General Felice Mastrangelo* and 100 men were sent from Naples to the Lucania Legion in Foggia. On 9 May, the Legione Campana commanded by General Giuseppe Schipani* commended by Agememnone Spano, National Guard Commander. Promotions for merit of Angelo Pescetti and Ignazio Ritucci to Capo (Chef) Battalion, Gregorio Russo to Captain, Saverio Dupui, Raimondo Herman, and Sgt Guttengutter to First Lieutenant. On 9 May, a commendation was made to the Bruzia Legion for operations, giving promotions of Pietro De Roger to Capo Battalion, Marco Celentano to First Lieutenant and a number of others. In mid-May, three cavalry regiments of 1200 horsemen were dispatched from Naples to Puglia. A column under Agememnon Spano was defeated at Monteforte. A 1200-man column under Belpulsi fought at Marigliano. Columns under Domenico Moscati and Pasquale Matera* (Infantry General) fought against Ruffo’s forces. La Marina Republicana Partenopea - The Partenopean Navy In late February, General Championnet directed the Republic `to build three ships, a ship of the line “Armata di Napoli”, and two frigates, the “Riconoscenza” and “Partenope ”, as well as recover and restore gunboats, stores, and port defenses. The only immediate resources available were the frigate Cerere (unusable), 4 Galleys (rowed armed with cannon), 2 Brigs, 2 Corvettes and a number of gunboats that had been partially burned. Upon his return from Sicily, Admiral Francesco Caracciolo* was persuaded to head the Republics Navy. He was involved in fighting the British and Bourbon ships and prevented the invasion of Procida Island. All three Republican captains involved in the Procida naval action were executed. The Honorable Surrender of Republican Naples Part I A Tapestry of Kings, Fools, and Traitors Formation and Fall of the Parthenon Republic of Naples in 1799 Introduction Naples Declares War on Rome A Neapolitan Solution To Take The City Of Naples The Parthenopean Republic of Naples Internal Problems in The Republic Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #65 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com