Alfonso of Bourbon, Count of Caserta

On 11 August 1860 he was promoted to major, participating in the councils of the crown always speaking out for resistance and to face Garibaldi in the open field in Salerno, but the King had decided differently and the count of Caserta, with his division obeyed the order of transfer to Capua. From that moment on he always tried to be among his soldiers and on 21 September, with his presence, he encouraged them in the victorious battle of Caiazzo and they wanted to spread the conquered flags at his feet. Throughout the day of Volturno on 1 October he was tireless in moving from one corner of the fighting to another, exposing himself to the greatest risks with exemplary contempt for danger, animating, exalting and encouraging our soldiers with all his courage and ardor. On 8 October he was promoted to the rank of colonel.

Alfonso of Bourbon was a simple young man, who like his beloved father, preferred military life in all its aspects, even sleeping on the ground among his comrades in arms in the bivouac of the camp on the Garigliano and who shared with his men the little food available, regardless of the incessant bombardment of the Piedmontese fleet. In Gaeta, despite his young age, he was entrusted with the command of the third battery division of the sea front, located in one of the points most hit by enemy fire, during the siege he always put his young life at risk without ever abandoning its employees. On 17 January 1861, in an order of the day, General Casella wanted to “Make clear to the general public the names of those who are fortunate enough to stand out most, at the head of whom it is nice for your old and veteran minister to point out the name of the intrepid Prince H.R.H. the Count of Caserta, colonel of artillery, who by example and tireless care knows how to instill emulation in his noble weapon. On 13 February 1861 he left the square of Gaeta together with the sovereigns; during the Roman exile there was friction between Francis II and his brother Alfonso, who had set up a small personal court headed by Gabriele Ussani, but this fracture was never an open rebellion against the decisions and authority of the head of the family, but only differences of views on how to deal with the political situation. His affection and loyalty towards his older brother were always total and sincere. With the permission of the King, the Count of Caserta placed himself under the orders of General Kanzler and in Mentana in 1867 he once again distinguished himself for valor and courage to the point that the French General de Polhès considered him the most deserving of all to receive the Cross of the Legion of Honor, but King Napoleon III refused to grant it only for political reasons. On 18 September 1870, faithful to his principles, he once again wore the military uniform, to defend Rome from the last Piedmontese assault.