Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/241

 telegraphed to the Prefects of the different departments in France, was the first correct news the law and order party received of this very important affair:

", May 6, 7:30

"Those who have followed the operations which our army is executing with admirable devotion, in order to preserve social order, which is so gravely menaced by the Parisian insurrection, must have perceived that the object was to reduce Fort Issy by silencing its fire and cutting off its communications both with Fort Vanves and the enceinte. These operations are approaching completion, notwithstanding the obstacle which is presented by the batteries of Fort Vanves. At this moment our troops are engaged in forming the trench which will separate Fort Issy from Fort Vanves. The railway, which is crossed by a vaulted passage, is the line which has been disputed for three days. Last night 240 sailors and two companies of the 17th Battalion of Chasseurs à Pied, led by General Paturel, boldly rushed upon the railway and the arched passage. The sailors, being met with a heavy fire, were bravely supported by the two companies of the 17th, and the line of railway, as well as the arched passage, remained in our power. The garrison of Vanves, seeking at that moment to take our soldiers in the rear, were held ready to issue from their positions, when Colonel Vilmette, at the head of the 2d Provisional Battalion, fell upon them, carried the insurgents' trenches, took the Redan in which they were collected, killed and captured a considerable number, and finished the brilliant engagement by a decisive coup de main.

"The Redan was immediately turned against the enemy, and a quantity of arms, ammunition, and sacks of provisions abandoned by the Vanves garrison were taken, as also the flag of the 119th Insurgent Battalion.