gave time to (M12)
the revolutionists to organize, under the leadership of a chief of
banditti, Garibaldi, of Genoa. They availed themselves, at the same time,
of the leisure afforded, to massacre many faithful priests, to enable some
renegade monks to profane the solemnities of religion, and to commit, in
the hospitals, outrages which were, until that time, unheard of.
Unfortunate soldiers, sick and at the point of death, beholding persons
dressed like Nuns and Sisters of Charity, expected to hear from them the
language of religion, in order to assist them in preparing for a Christian
death. It can easily be imagined how greatly they were shocked to hear
only lascivious expressions and the most infamous provocations to vice.
These pretended Sisters of Charity were nothing else than professed
prostitutes. Their president, a revolutionary princess, admits, in her
memoirs, this melancholy fact.

(M13) The King of Naples and General Cordova, commander-in-chief of the
Spanish army, offered to General Oudinot the aid of their arms. He thanked
them, but declined their offer, desiring, for the honor of the French
army, that as it had begun, so it should complete the duty which it had
undertaken. The French general represented, and with reason, to the
Spanish commander, that he would have entered Rome several weeks sooner
but for the diplomatic negotiations already alluded to. The
Plenipotentiary, who conducted these negotiations, having been disavowed,
the general held himself alone responsible, and it was his duty to
simplify matters as much as possible. He urged, moreover, that when an
army is besieging a place no foreign troops can approach it, unless their
assistance is requested either by the besiegers or the besieged. The
latter were far from having any claim to the protection of Spain, and the
French army was in a position to meet every contingency.

(M14) On the 30th June, 1849, the city surrendered, unconditionally. On
3rd July the French army entered Rome, amidst the joyous acclamations of
the native Roman people.

(M15) On the same day General Oudinot despatched Colonel Niel to Gaeta, in
order to deliver to the Sovereign Pontiff the keys of his capital. Pius
IX. was overjoyed at the arrival of the French officer. His people were
now free. The war was at an end. Blood no longer flowed. There was nothing
wanting to his satisfaction and happiness. "O! speak to me of my children
of Rome and France," he exclaimed. "How