Chapter 259: Italy: It's my turn to play this time!
The morning after the battle in Hexingen, the casualties were tallied. The Hechingen Brigade had suffered 256 casualties, with 78 soldiers killed and three missing. The French 54th Brigade had faced heavy losses, capturing 2,324 soldiers while losing 687 in battle. Over 100 French soldiers, who had fled into the forest, eventually returned to surrender.
The French 54th Brigade's commander, Alade, had been killed with two stab wounds during the chaos of the night. His assailant remained unknown due to the dark conditions. Despite the victory, Heinrich couldn't help but feel somber about the casualties.
Meanwhile, in Italy, discussions were underway about seizing the opportunity to reclaim Rome now that the French had withdrawn their troops from the city. There was concern about the ongoing war between France and Prussia, but Italy's leaders believed it was the right time to act.
However, a telegram arrived with unexpected news. The Pope of Rome had signed agreements with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, granting them the right to garrison troops in Rome. This move was seen as a measure to deter Italy from annexing Rome.
Emmanuel II, the King of Italy, was furious at this perceived deceit. He believed the Austro-Hungarian Empire was trying to use the Pope's status to intimidate Italy. Garibaldi, a key figure in Italian unification, argued that Italy must seize this moment to unify the country.
Despite some initial hesitation, Emmanuel II was persuaded. He decided that Italy should march towards Rome to reclaim the city. To prevent the Austro-Hungarian Empire from interfering, additional troops would be stationed in Venice, while Italy's elite forces would be deployed to protect against potential Austrian involvement. The plan was for Garibaldi and Italian troops to conquer Rome together.