France Prepares to Meet Russian and Neapolitan Forces
The Dublin Gazette reports April 24 from Stockholm that French minister Casteja has dispatched a vessel to alert of an approaching French squadron and to recruit skilled mariners as pilots. Notes from Bologna and Naples describe Viceroy movements toward Barletta and Capua with troops to oppose Spaniards and defend Naples, while Russians push up the Vistula and German forces discuss relief and surrender. Reports from Dresden and Vienna on May 3 note Polish defeats, army disintegration near Graeow, and Italian army command changes. Bombardments and fortifications rise as French ships contend with Saxon and Russian threats, with overall risk to Neapolitan and Italian cities depending on French squadron arrivals.