(Reprinted from Il Gazzetino, published in Ripalimosani, Year XXIX, Second Edition No. 1-1999. By Nicolino Camposarcuno)

Translated By David Heathcott

It occurs this year, the 200^th anniversary of the rebellion of the Ripesi people against the local Jacobins, initiated with the overthrowing of the tree of liberty and concluded with a bath of blood that cost our town the nasty title of "Land of Savage Assassins." In this columns we have written before of the bloody revolt and of the causes that brought it about; today we wish to remember the event, reviewing part of an article by the teacher Angiolino Camposarcuno, published in Popolo D’ Italia on 20 February 1937.

"… This comune (Ripalimosani) was one of the first to raise the tree of liberty, but the majority of the people remained loyal to the Bourbon government. The tree was raised by the doctor in law Francesco Trivisonno, hated by the people and noted for his anti-monarchist sentiments. But scarcely after the ceremony, it was overthrown by the rebels who then set fire to the municipal residence first to initiate the pillage of the houses of the signori [gentlemen]".

The revolt continued three days and much blood was shed. The following patriots were killed: Carlo Maria Ferrante and his wife, Luigia Ferrante; Sisto Ambrogio Ferrante, son of Nicola; Nicolangelo Trivisonno; Francesco Trivisonno; Nicola Maria Marinelli, president of the Municipality; Luigi Marinelli; Antonio Sabetta; and others.

The ruthless reaction was directed by the peasants Matteo Trivisonno and Gaetano D’ Alessandro,both helped by the artisan Domenico Antonio Camposenarcone (alias Cuccillo). Also distinguishing themselves, Gennaro Palermo and his wife Rosa Trivisonno, who followed the rebels closely with a flask of wine in hand, giving it to drink and urging them to destroy all.

The bloody counter-revolution lasted until the French intervened to restore order. They surrounded the town and easily got control of the rebels. Conducted to Campobasso, eleven of them were shot after summary trail, They were: Pietro di Lorenzo, Nicola Trivisonno, Michelangelo Miniello, Matteo Trivisonno, Nicola Maria Miniello, Dionisio Micatrotta, Francesco Trivisonno, Gennaro Palermo, Giorgio D’ Arcangelo, Ignazio Giannantonio, Tomasso di Cosco. Before the execution they were attended by eleven priests; some of their bodies were hung at the gallows, and they remained for over twelve hours.

With the revolt over, the comune of Ripalimosani on 9 March, first of the Neapolitan Republic, was authorized by the commissioner Violante to appoint itself a Municpality. "The comune of Ripalimosani was authorized by the chief citizen to appoint itself in public meeting a Municaipality composed of 7 delegated, a president and a secretary, who temporarilyhad to administer public income, to maintain public order, for which the public Municipality was authorized to set on foot a civic troop and well armed, ahich should be composed of true patriots armed properly, of a number proportionate to be able to maintain in restraint internal revolts, to defend the tree of liberty; and, when attacked, to punish the assailants militarily, and also to resist the internal assailants; and to hasten again where it was needed. It was called upon again to select two justices of the peace who temporarily had to settle civil controversies. Health and brotherhood."

With the institution of the Municipality, tyranny increased, and the arrogance of the foreigners was such that eerything belonged to them, so that the thing had become the subject of popular sings; one of them said: "u penzate e fa in tasse – nu penzame e fa frecasse." Another: Liberta e uglianza, li denare? Vanne in France, e ndri ndri ce fa la panze." [Dialect of Ripalimosani]

After the return of the Bourbon monarchy, Camposarcuno, in the period of the rebellion favorable to the King, turned to brigandage, followed by many young Ripesei, who sudden;y declared themselves supporters of the Republic, causing thus other sorrows for the town.