Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/216

 commenced, the guns bearing on the bastions sixty-eight and seventy-two. The inhabitants of Vaugirard, in fearful alarm, were quitting their houses to come into the city.

The following official circular in regard to the affair was immediately telegraphed to the Prefects of the different Departments.

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"The works of approach towards Fort Issy have continued. The Government has received the following despatches, which it hastens to publish:—'Belair, 5:5, —General de Cissy to the Chief of the Executive.—A coup de main has been effected against the farm of Bonney, in front of Châtillon, by a company of the 70th regiment and the light company of the 71st. Two officers on the side of the insurgents were killed or wounded; 71 prisoners were taken, of whom four were officers. On our side two sergeants and two men were killed, and six wounded. Too great praise cannot be awarded to the troops engaged, especially to Captains Dumouchel, of the 70th, and Broissier, of the 71st. Details later.' 'Belair, 6:55 —Cissy to the Chief of the Executive Power and to MacMahon at Versailles.—I have this moment received from General Faron the following despatch:—Fleury, 6 —The operations have been very successful. The cemetery, trenches, excavations, and the park of Issy were carried with great spirit by battalions of the brigades under Deroja, Paturel, and Berthe, with the aid of the Marines. We occupy in force positions in close contiguity to the main entrances to the fort. The park is connected with the railway by a trench passing in front of the cemetery. On our side there have been few killed. About 20 wounded. The insurgents, who were very numerous, retired with precipitation, leaving 100 prisoners, 8 pieces of artillery, and 8 horses.'

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