Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/267



, May 8.

"The Commission of War:

"Whereas the decree which gives to the Central Committee the administration of war contains the following restriction:

"'Under the direct control of the Commission of War;'

"We, the said Commission, ordain that the Central Committee shall not appoint to any place, but shall merely suggest names upon which we will decide.

"Accounts concerning the conduct of each service shall be sent to us regularly every day.

"Arnold, Avriel, Delescluze, Tridon, Varlin."

The Government of Versailles addressed the following despatch to the civil and military authorities throughout France:

"May 9th, 1871, 7

"The able direction of our operations, seconded by the bravery of our troops, has to-day obtained a brilliant result. The fort of Issy, after an attack of a week only, was occupied this morning by the 38th regiment of the line. A considerable quantity of artillery and ammunition was found there. We can praise the successful audacity with which our generals conducted the approaches under a cross-fire from Vanves, the ramparts, and Fort Issy itself. A large share of those prompt and decisive results are due to the engineers. Vanves is also in such a state that it cannot hold out long.

"The capture of the fort of Issy is, however, sufficient to ensure the success of the plan of attack now undertaken. Last night General Douai, after a vigorous cannonade from the formidable battery of Montretout, also favored by a dark night, crossed the Seine and took up a position before Boulogne, facing the bastions 67, 66, and 65, forming the Point-du-Jour. Fourteen hundred men