Carlo Lombardi (Unionist soldier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlo Lombardi
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| Born | February 28, 1834 Brescia, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia |
| Died | January 16, 1865 (aged 30) Wilmington, North Carolina, United States |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Sardinia United States of America |
| Service/ |
 Piedmontese Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1849 - 1861 (Sardinia) 1861 - 1865 (US) |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Battles/wars | First Italian War of Independence Ten Days of Brescia Battle of Aspromonte American Civil War |
Carlo Lombardi (born February 28, 1834, in Brescia – died January 16, 1865, in Fort Fisher, North Carolina) was a brave Italian soldier. He fought in wars to unite Italy and later in the American Civil War. He was an officer for many years.
Contents
Carlo Lombardi's Early Life and Fights for Italy
Carlo Lombardi was born in Brescia, Italy. His parents were Giuseppe and Elisabetta Torelli. From a young age, Carlo joined groups that wanted Italy to be free.
At that time, much of northern Italy was called the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia. This area was controlled by the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The Austrians were very strict. They would arrest, exile, or even execute anyone who tried to fight for Italian freedom. So, people like Lombardi were always in danger.
After a big battle in 1848, the Piedmontese army lost. Lombardi had to leave his home. He found safety in the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was friendly to Italian patriots. He joined the 20th Infantry Regiment. He fought in the last parts of the First Italian War of Independence in 1849.
In that same year, he secretly went back to his hometown. He took part in the Ten Days of Brescia, an uprising against Austrian rule. This fight happened between March 23 and April 1. After the uprising failed, he returned to Piedmont. But he was arrested during another revolt in Milan in 1853.
Unlike some other patriots, Lombardi managed to escape. He fled to the United States. He came back to Italy in 1859 to fight again. This time, it was in the Second Italian War of Independence. The next year, he joined a group of soldiers led by General Medici. This happened after Giuseppe Garibaldi's famous "Expedition of the Thousand."
Lombardi was hurt in a battle at Milazzo. Because of his bravery, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Soon after, he left the main army to stay with Garibaldi's volunteer soldiers, known as the Redshirts. He even followed Garibaldi in the Battle of Aspromonte. In 1863, he left Italy for good and moved to the United States.
Fighting in the American Civil War
As soon as Carlo Lombardi arrived in the United States, he joined the Union Army. He was again made a Captain. He was given command of a company of African-American soldiers. He was known for his "uncommon bravery" during his service.
His Final Battle
Carlo Lombardi fought in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher in North Carolina. Many people thought this battle was very important for the American Civil War. He died there on January 16, 1865. The day before, the Confederate soldiers defending the fort had surrendered. Lombardi died when a powder magazine inside the fortress accidentally exploded. This explosion caused many deaths on both sides.
Honoring Carlo Lombardi
Carlo Lombardi was honored in an exhibition called Brescia per l'America per Brescia. This exhibition celebrated citizens from Brescia who helped American history and culture. It was held at the Santa Giulia city museum in the summer of 2010.
See also
- Risorgimento
- Italian diaspora
- Charles DeRudio, another Italian who fought in the US Army
- Luigi Palma di Cesnola, an Italian-born soldier who won the Medal of Honor
