He took part (with the Lombard volunteers) in the Legione Manara in the Brescian and Trentine campaigns of the First Italian War of Independence.
The next year, 1849, he and Enrico participated in the formation of the Roman Republic and then defended it with the Battaglione Bersaglieri Lombardi, commanded by Luciano Manara.
During this period Emilio wrote, including "Journey to Egypt, the Sudan, Syria and Palestine" ("Viaggio in Egitto, nel Sudan, in Siria ed in Palestina") and "The volunteers and the Lombard bersaglieri" ("I volontari e i bersaglieri lombardi").
He participated in the Crimean War, but since he was an Austrian citizen he was sent back to Milan, where was put under strict police control.
His funeral, in Milan, was purged of anti-Austrian connotations and, on the Austrian authorities' dispensation (hoping to avoid riots), he was buried in the cemetery of Adro