MAURIZIO DE ROSA
Maurizio de Rosa was born in Montemurro in 1779 by Dr. Giuseppe Maria and Patrizia Ragona. Youngest of four sons although descended from a noble family among the most distinguished of the town (his father was in fact Governor of Ferrandina, village located in the province of Matera) he feels that this atavistic monarchical and conservative world does not belong to him. From an early age he develops a revolutionary disposition that leads him to approach the new political and social orientations that are making their way through Europe. They are the liberal ideas of the French Revolution that have made inroads into the minds of many young people, even Italians, from now on determined to build a more fair and modern society. Moved by these ideals, Maurizio responds to the call of voluntary enlistment launched by the French Gioacchino Murat (from 1808 King of Naples) for the Russian Campaign of 1812 following Napoleon Bonaparte. He joins the Regiment of Veliti on horseback and he is one of 42 knights from Basilicata. General Murat is the head of the Cavalry of the Great Army and De Rosa therefore takes orders directly from him. With the rank of captain he fights in the battle for the conquest of Moscow that is easily occupied having been abandoned by the inhabitants. Then he settles with all the cavalry at Vinkovo, near the capital. It is from here that they see the fire on September 16th. Moscow burns at the hands of some citizens by implementing the counter-offensive aimed at weakening the invaders who without housing and, as a result of the voluntary destruction of the crops, without food could hardly have faced the terrible Russian winter. The withdrawal of the army decided by Napoleon in the following October is therefore an inevitable decision. To protect the Emperor in this march is the Sacred Squadron composed only of officers of which De Rosa is a member. Between 26 and 29 November he takes part in the terrible battle of the Beresina (Belarusian river) on whose eastern shore near Studjenka the Russians surrounded the remains of the Great Army that nevertheless manages to avoid the disintegration crossing the river thanks to the almost total sacrifice of the Engineers engaged night and day to the construction of bridges in the icy waters. For the behavior held in that battle Maurizio De Rosa is decorated with the "Legion d'Honneur" the highest recognition for acts of valor in the Napoleonic army. On this medal is engraved, in addition to the motivation, "Aux miens compagnos de gloire. Napoleon."
It is March 1815 and De Rosa, back in Montemurro, is on his horse again with the intention of leaving for Paris since Napoleon, returning from exile on the island of Elba, has called together his soldiers for another, and for the Emperor last military campaign. This time his plan is interrupted by his wife Teresa de Robertis who, stopping him at the end of the town with their newborn son in her arms, brings him back to his family responsibilities. She convinces him not to leave and together they go home.
On the facade of his house in Piazza Santa Maria (now Piazza IV November) where he lived until 1840, a marble plaque has long been affixed with engraved: "Here lived Maurizio De Rosa captain of the Veliti in Russia with Napoleon. Legion of Honour on Beresina". The name of his son Giuseppe appears on another plaque affixed to the facade of Palazzo Marra, also in Montemurro. He is among 14 members of the Insurrection Committee who led by Giacinto Albini conspired against the Bourbon monarchy in favor of the Unity of Italy.