The people hunger for Italy, a country they can call their own. They are ready to stand behind you. Here I await your orders to be of more assistance.

With love,

Anita

Tesoro mio,

I am proud that you have fit in so well with Genoa society. Paolo is correct. You have indeed aligned yourself with the elite. Is Elisa Profumo the wife of Antonio Profumo? If so, keep her close. As her husband goes, so goes Genoa. Be sure to tell me about the opera; I envy you.

I wish I had happier news to share with you, but alas, the leaders who have the king’s ear do not feel that my services are necessary to the cause. The ignorance of these men astounds me! They see experience and wisdom standing before them, but they turn it away. They have the audacity to call me a corsair! Me! Giuseppe Garibaldi! The man who has led several armies to victory! To be considered a dupe is a huge insult. They are fools. If we are not careful they will lose this battle all because of their ignorance.

They order me to Venice in the hopes that I will be pacified away from the battlefields, but instead I shall go to Milan. The Milanese have done the impossible: As we sailed for Italy, the people of Milan had their own successful revolution, expelling the Austrians. I am going there in the hopes of being of use to the new Milanese government.

I wish you were by my side once more. I know that you would force these men into submission by the point of your sword. Your strength and clarity have always been a balm to my soul.

Until I return,

José

Dearest José,

We travel across the ocean yet are still plagued by fools. I have faith that in time you will make them see reason. In light of your last letter we no longer tell the people “with compliments of Italy” when we feed them. It is now “With compliments of Giuseppe Garibaldi.” I know you may not be comfortable with this, but if the people love you, they will be more likely to listen to you over those imbeciles who call themselves royalty.

Yes, Elisa is married to Antonio Profumo. Antonio is a great supporter of the Italian unification efforts. While at the opera, he and Paolo had a lively discussion about what was needed for Italy. They were so loud that they and the other husbands left the box so that they could talk in the lobby! They completely disregarded Giuseppe Verdi’s latest opera, Macbeth. Senhor Profumo has given Elisa the liberty of his checkbook in order to purchase whatever supplies we may need for the hospital and our other endeavors.

My love, do not give up hope. You will find a way. You always find a way. My advice to you is to be like Malcolm in Macbeth, take a step back in Milan, and wait for the right opportunity to seize the army and unify our country.