Battle of San Fermo

On the morning of the 27 May 1859 Garibaldi left Varese and advanced towards Camerlata. Through the use of a screening force at Olgiate (on the main road from Varese to Camerlata) Garibaldi was able to distract the attention of the Austrians as he led main force of his army northwards in the direction of the mountains.

After attracting the Austrian’s attention he left a screening force at Olgiate (on the main road from Varese to Camerlata), while he led the main force north towards the mountains. This force then turned east and approached the San Fermo pass. The Austrians were caught out and the pass was only defended by the small force of Hungarians. The Hungarians troops took up defensive positions in the church of San Fermo and a nearby inn, from where they could command the valley approaches.