The battle of 23 February 1793, which saw the Sardinian Royal Navy, the armed Magdalenians and the Gallura militias victoriously repulse the attempted occupation by a Franco-Corsican expedition, which included Napoleon Bonaparte, was commemorated yesterday in the square of the same name in Cala Gavetta , with the placing of laurel wreaths in front of the bust of Domenico Millelire who distinguished himself so much in those feats of arms as to receive the first gold medal for military valour.
The ceremony saw the presence of the deputy mayor of La Maddalena, Federica Porcu, of the commander of the Military Presidium and of the NCO Schools, Simone Battisti, of the president of the local Lions Club, Vito Carrera, who gave a brief address. A military picket was deployed and the banners of the Lions Club, the Marina d'Italia, the partisans of the ANPI and the Garibaldians of the ANVRG were present, as well as pupils, students and citizens. In those dramatic days of 230 years ago, a large drape was sewn and painted in the Church on which the islanders' heads of families swore, and which it waved over the fort Sant'Andrea, overlooking the town, to incite the islanders to resistance. Drape which is kept and displayed in the island town hall and of which a copy, of the same size, yesterday evening the deputy mayor Federica Porcu donated to the parish.
