Garibaldi was known and respected as a hero by most Italians, including most soldiers in the Royal Army and
Navy. Several actions that occurred reveal that neither Garibaldi nor his opponents were willing to enter open combat, or cause too much damage to their opponent. Although Garibaldi's ships had likely been detected by the Royal Navy while they were crossing the
Strait of Messina to reach land in
Calabria, the Royal Army only attacked when Garibaldi's army had actually reached land, possibly to keep losses to a minimum. Garibaldi himself did not immediately counter-attack the Royal Army, instead trying to circumvent it by crossing the
Aspromonte mountains. Garibaldi's army marched for three days; on 28 August 1862, the leading regiment, led by Garibaldi, camped near
Gambarie, where the rest of his army was expected to arrive in a few days. On 29 August, before Garibaldi's army was reunited,
Bersaglieri from the Royal Army reached Garibaldi's camp and attacked. Garibaldi ordered his army not to open fire "on our brothers", and some Bersaglieri changed sides during the battle, joining Garibaldi's volunteers. However, despite Garibaldi's order, one wing of his regiment mounted a counter-attack against the Bersaglieri. During the altercation, two bullets hit Garibaldi's
hip and
malleolus. A cease-fire was declared shortly thereafter, and Garibaldi surrendered. ==Aftermath==