Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/331

 République!" Next penetrating into the Rue de Grenelle, the Party of Order were fired upon by the insurgents, and the Colonel Duronchoux severely wounded.

The example thus given was followed by all the National Guards hostile to the Commune, who, grouping around their comrades, preserved this quarter from the occupation of the insurrection. A barricade was erected for this purpose on the corner of the Rue Babylone, where the Order Party entrenched themselves until they were joined, at about one o'clock, by the 39th of the line.

The soldiers were received with clapping of hands and shouts from all the windows of "Vive la ligne!" Many Communists were taken prisoners, among others a commandant of artillery and a staff officer, who were taken to the Babylone Barrack and immediately shot.

The troops of General Vinoy had meanwhile descended along the banks of the Seine, and taken possession of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It was known that on the 21st of May, the day of the entrance of the troops, the Citizen Bergeret had passed the night at the palace of the Presidency of the Corps Legislatif. M. de Lanzières de Thémines, officer of the 2d regiment of the Infantry of Marine, received an order to go and arrest him.

His means of resistance were not known, but it was expected that he would sell his life and liberty dearly. The young officer took with him twenty men, passed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, broke the gates of the Hotel of the Presidency, and entered the court. It was deserted. They then entered the apartments.

Bergeret had slept in the bed of the President, after having passed the great part of the night in an orgie, the remains of which were scattered round the room. Many arms were found, besides many papers and portraits which the General had not had time to destroy. As for finding