Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/113

 talked about. It was not the one, however, on which the most reliance was placed. If it were successful, it was to push its advantage—if not, to return in good order.

The column started headed by Bergeret in a victoria drawn by two horses. He was surrounded by his staff, dressed up in the most gorgeous and theatrical costumes, their belts filled with immense revolvers, and brandishing large sabres, shouting "à Versailles!" "à Versailles!"

The Government of Versailles, which had been informed on the previous day that the insurgents were having large bodies of men concentrated at Puteaux and Surennes preparatory to marching on Versailles, decided to send a division of men to meet the battalions from Paris and summon them to lay down their arms. In consequence, some troops, under the order of Captain Bruat of the Navy, and composed of two regiments of the line, some sailors, mounted gendarmes, chasseurs d'Afrique, and two mitrailleuses, were sent in the middle of the night to Mont Valérien.

About six in the morning some shots were exchanged between the outposts. At seven, General Vinoy arrived at the fort and gave his orders. Soon after Dr. Pasquier, of the mounted gendarmes, preceded by a trumpeter and accompanied by two men, presented himself with a flag of truce at the bridge of Courbevoie. Two of the insurgents met him, and after a few words had passed, one of the latter drew a revolver and shot Dr. Pasquier dead on the spot. Fire was immediately opened on all sides, and the news that the bearer of a flag of truce had been killed caused extreme indignation.

The gendarmes, especially, swore to avenge their doctor, whom they adored, and when the order was given to charge they did so with the greatest fury. At first the combat was one of skirmishes. The sailors and the regular troops formed one long line of constant fire, which closed in continually and directed its aim on the head of the