AZZANESI, ACHILLE. — Papal colonel, born in Rome on 10 August 1823, died there in 1888. He entered service on 10 August 1839, fought against the Austrians at Cornuda and Vicenza in May and June 1848, and the following year at Rome against the French. He distinguished himself at Castelfidardo (18 September 1860), in the suppression of brigandage (1864–67), and in defending and reoccupying the Viterbese during the autumn of 1867. On 20 September 1870 he assumed command of the first defense zone, encompassing the Leonine City and the Vatican. He was one of the finest Roman figures of his time; he was renowned as a cultured man.
BIBL.: G. Badii, s. V. in Dic. del Ris. Naz., I, Milano 1930, p. 133; P. Dalla Torre, Materiali per una storia dell'esercito pontificio, in Rass. Stor. del Ris., 1 (1941). Paolo Dalla Torre