He arrived in late October 1848, as the fighting raged. The Habsburg forces were bombarding the city. Barricades had been thrown up in the streets. Civilians were dying alongside revolutionary soldiers.
Robert threw himself into the defense. He helped organize supplies, coordinated communications, encouraged the fighters. He was no military man, but he was a leader, and leaders were desperately needed.
On October 31, the city fell. Robert could have fled. His parliamentary immunity should have protected him — representatives were supposed to be above the reach of ordinary law. But the Habsburgs were not interested in legal niceties. They had decided to make an example.
Robert was arrested on November 4. The authorities stripped him of his immunity, claiming it had no validity in Austria. They court-martialed him under military law, denying him access to legal counsel. The trial lasted one day.
The verdict was predetermined. He was sentenced to death by firing squad.
When Jenny received the news, she rushed to Vienna, hoping to save him. She arrived too late.