Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/271

 under arrest, and I propose that an investigation be at once opened.

"Receive, etc., etc.,

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The bombardment of Vânves and Montrouge was exceedingly heavy during the 11th and 12th. About seven on the morning of the 12th, an attack was made by a considerable force of infantry and gendarmes on the former place. Breaches were effected in the walls of some houses occupied by the insurgents, and an assault being made, a hand to hand fight took place, first in the gardens, and then in the houses; but the insurgents were forced to abandon the first line of houses, and a constant fusillade continued throughout the day.

At Montrouge the attack commenced by the advance of some detachments of cavalry, which were received with a sharp fire from the insurgents and forced to retreat. The infantry then advanced in a semicircle, with a mitrailleuse on each flank, so as to attack the position known as the Maison Millaud. The insurgents made several attempts to break through their line, but without success, as the troops were supported by the batteries of Chatillon, which continued to bombard the village of Montrouge. Some shells even fell inside the ramparts. At about ten the insurgents were forced to abandon the barricade and fall back upon Petit-Montrouge. In the afternoon the troops made another advance, and, after some severe fighting, drove the insurgents from their new position; but on the regulars attempting to occupy the houses of Petit-Montrouge, they were fired on from the fort, and were forced to retire.

The cannonade was particularly severe to the west. The great redoubt at Montretout continued to send its shells into Auteuil and Passy, and on to the Point-du-Jour.