As his elephants drowned, the General mourned the death of these great beasts. As such, the river that extends through this valley became known as, and remains known as, the Ofanto (a corruption of Italian "elefante") River.
When the General's elephants perished in the flood, he mourned their loss. As a result, the river that traverses this valley is now called and has always been known as the Ofanto (an alteration of Italian "elefante").