Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/304

 since the commencement of the siege. The fusillade was also continuous in the Bois de Boulogne, while in the south the greatest alarm prevailed during the whole day. Two batteries were unmasked on the north front of the fort of Vânves, one to take the village of Montrouge obliquely, the other to attack the gate of the ramparts leading to Issy. The heavy cannonade was supposed to be the prelude to an assault, and several battalions were under arms in the Avenue d'Orleans, to be sent to reinforce any point on which the attack might be made. No attempt was however made, and the terrible cannonade of the whole day and night left both parties in the same positions.

The insurgents attempted a sortie during the day, but were repulsed with great loss. Various battalions returned to Paris apparently much dispirited. They attacked the regulars with a force 6,000 strong, and at first were successful; but reinforcements coming up, they were attacked in turn, and defeated with frightful slaughter.

The insurgents continued to carry out the conscription with increased vigor, death being threatened to those who refused to serve.

The decrees of the Commune became more and more severe as their hour approached. The Committee declared its intention to blow up Paris sooner than capitulate. A decree arrested all prostitutes and drunkards; another suppressed nine more journals; another, from the Central Committee, stated that all inhabitants of Paris must return to their homes within forty-eight hours, after that time the claims in the Rentes standing in their names in the state funds would be destroyed.

Cluseret was tried by the Commune and set at liberty on the 20th. The command of the important post at Montmartre was also given him.

The court-martial presided over by Colonel Gois also