Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/258

 Rossel, and it would certainly seem, from the style of that one in which he announces the fall of Issy, that he was the conqueror, and not the conquered. He was evidently much annoyed concerning the orders given directly by the Committee of Public Safety, and complained bitterly of the disastrous surprise of Moulin-Saquet, which he attributed to the absence of General Wrobleski, sent to Issy by the Committee of Public Safety. That body denied in the most positive manner, through Felix Pyat, that it had ever sent any despatch to that officer; but the next day the original, signed, strange to say, by Felix Pyat himself, was produced. A discussion, anything but pleasant, then ensued, when Felix Pyat gave in his resignation as member of the Committee.

The next day, when Rossel's despatch was seen posted on the walls of Paris, and published in the official journal, a hurried meeting was held by the members of the Commune, and the following proclamation appeared:

", May 9, 1871.

"It is by a regrettable error that the announcement has been made, that the Fort of Issy had been taken and occupied by the Versaillese. Nothing of the sort has occurred, happily, and the flag of the Commune still floats on its ramparts!"

This contradiction was ordered to be posted and sent to all the Mairies by Citizen Vésinier, member of the Commune. The official journal, however, never published the contradiction.

"The following morning Colonel Rossel sent the subjoined letter, resigning his position as Delegate of War:

", May 9th.

"Citizens, members of the Commune:—Being charged by you with the provisional direction of the war-opera