Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/245



Concert given at the Tuileries for the benefit of the wounded National Guards—Appeal of M. Thiers to the inhabitants of Paris—Battery of Montretout—Evacuation of Fort Issy—Occupation by the troops—Engagement at Moulin-Saquet—False reports given by the Official Journal—Rossel's report—His letter—His imprisonment and escape—Delescluze appointed Delegate of War—Fort Vanves evacuated—The insurgents again take possession—Differences of the Commune and Central Committee—Government despatch—Decree ordaining the demolition of M. Thiers' house—Camp in the Bois de Boulogne—Procession of troops at Versailles—Sinking of an insurgent gun-*boat—Capture of Fort Vanves—Villas in the neighborhood of Paris plundered by the insurgents—Threat of the Communists with regard to Paris—Dissensions of the Commune—Fall of the Column Vendôme—Its description—Guns captured at Vanves presented by a deputation to the National Assembly—Marshal de MacMahon's order of the day—Explosion of the cartridge manufactory in the Avenue Rapp—The blame thrown upon the National Assembly by the Commune—Sacrilege at Notre Dame des Victoires—Cluseret tried and set at liberty by the Commune—Arrest of Rochefort at Meaux—His entrance into Versailles.

On the night of the 7th of May, a grand concert was given at the Tuileries, for the benefit of the families of the insurgents killed or wounded. It took place in the Salle des Maréchaux. That is, it was announced to take place there; but it really took place in several halls at the same time. While a prima donna was singing Trovatore in one hall, a band was playing the Marseillaise in another. As the halls all opened into one another, the confusion and noise was fearful; but the sight was one never to be forgotten, and well repaid standing in line for more than an hour, as all were obliged to do, before being able to gain admission, although tickets had been engaged in advance. The receipts amounted to over twelve