Camorra was a well-organized secret society, once spread thoughout all parts of the kingdom of Naples. At one time the Camorristi were all-powerful, levying a kind of blackmail at all markets, fairs, and public gatherings, claiming the right of deciding disputes, hiring themselves out for any criminal service from the passing of contraband goods to assassination. It had central stations in all the large provincial towns, and a regular staff of recruiting officers. Though properly a secret society, it did not find it necessary under the regime of the Bourbons to conceal its operations; but under the later governments of united Italy, the society lost most of its power, except in the wilder parts of Southern Italy. Research Camorra
The eagle-owl (Bubo ignavus) is a large and fierce owl which inhabits the wilder parts of Europe, Asia and North Africa. It is blackish brown above with yellowish markings, and has long head tufts and densely feathered toes. Research Eagle-owl
Sandpiper is a popular name applied to a number of birds belonging to the family Charadriidae. The common sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucus), also known as the summer snipe, is about twenty centimeters long, and has olive-brown upper parts, a white chin, ash-coloured breast, and white under parts. The common sandpiper is to be found about streams in the wilder parts of Scotland where it nests in hollows beside streams. Research Sandpiper
During the American Civil War, Murfreesboro, Tennessee was occupied by an encampment of 1400 national troops under Crittenden and Duffield in 1862. These troops were defeated and expelled on July the 13th by the Confederate cavalryman Forrest, who came upon them unexpectedly and routed them after a sharp fight. Forrest captured a quantity of valuable stores.
The second and great Battle of Murfreesboro took place on December the 31st, 1862, and January 1st, 1863, Bragg, commanding 62,000 Confederates, being opposed by 43,000 Federals led by Rosecrans. Bragg was about to go into winter quarters and was not expecting an engagement, when suddenly Rosecrans moved against him, forcing him to concentrate his troops. This he did, marching his army between Rosecrans and the town and drawing it up with Breckenridge on the right, Polk in the centre and Hardee on the left. Opposing these were the Federal leaders, Crittenden, Thomas and McCook. The Confederates were on the west side of Stone River. Rosecrans had planned to strike first, but Bragg anticipated him. Both had massed their forces on the left, and on December the 31st, as Rosecrans' left was hurriedly crossing Stone River, Bragg's left fell upon it so furiously as completely to sweep away Johnson's division and rushed forward upon Sheridan, having demolished Davis in the charge. Sheridan held out firmly, raking the Confederates with his batteries and forcing them back. He was finally driven from his position, but he saved the day.
Rosecrans now massed his batteries on a knoll and withstood the Confederate charges until night. Storms on January the 2nd and 3rd prevented battle, and on the fourth Bragg had retired after slight skirmishing.
Again in 1863, in a seven days' irregular skirmish and battle, lasting between June the 23rd and 30th, during Rosecrans' campaign in Tennessee, that general defeated and drove the Confederate, Bragg, from the entrenchments he had thrown up during several months at Tullahoma, near Murfreesboro, after which place the battle is sometimes called. Rosecrans had 60,000 men, Bragg 40,000. Bragg's army was posted in a long line from Murfreesboro, past Tullahoma and along the Duck River. On June the 24th Rosecrans sent McCook and Wilder to capture Booker's Gap and Liberty Gap, two important mountain passes. This move was successful. Granger had in the meantime dislodged the Confederates from Guy's Gap, capturing three guns and a large body of prisoners. By the twenty-seventh Rosecrans was prepared for a flank movement against the Confederates. This was so well planned and executed that Bragg evacuated his entrenchments and fled across Elk River on the night of the twenty-ninth. Research Battles of Murfreesboro
The Battle of Mumfordsville, Kentucky was an encounter of the American Civil War between Chalmers, leading the advance guard of Bragg's army of 25,000 Confederates, and 21,000 Federals under Wilder and Dunham. The Confederates began the fight and were repulsed in their first attack. But Bragg gradually drew his forces about Wilder until there was no chance of escape for that leader, who accordingly surrendered on September the 17th, 1862. Research Battle of Mumfordsville
A Foreign Affair is a romance starring Jean Arthur, Marlene Dietrich and John Lund in a story about an American congresswoman sent to Berlin to investigate the behaviour of American soldiers in the occupying forces. A Foreign Affair was directed by Billy Wilder in 1948. Research A Foreign Affair
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
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