La Marmora

La Marmora lä märˈmōrä [key], distinguished Italian noble family. Its best-known member was Alfonso Ferrero, marchese della Marmora, 1804–78, general and political leader. He fought for Sardinia against Austria in the wars of 1848–49 and 1859, completely reorganized the Sardinian army, and led (1855–56) the Sardinian expeditionary force in the Crimean War. He was twice premier (1859, 1865–66). His conduct of Italian operations in the Austro-Prussian War (1866) was unsatisfactory, and he resigned after the Italian rout at Custozza.

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