Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/361

 again assailed by a fire from the barricade Saints-Pères-Taranne.

Fired upon on every side, and not wishing to fall back, the soldiers forced the doors of the houses on the left side of the street, and advanced through the interior courts to the foot of the barricade, which they carried at the point of the bayonet. The barricade in the Rue St. Dominique was taken at the same time. Continuing the same movement through the houses of the Rue du Dragon, the soldiers gained possession of the Croix Rouge, while the National Guards hastily retreated through the streets Gozlin and Bonaparte.

The troops then advanced by the Rues Jacob, De l'Abbaye, and Gozlin to the Place de l'Abbaye, which they found defended by a solidly-constructed barricade. Here the combat, which was commenced at half-past ten, threatened to last an indefinite time, when the marines were informed that the position might be turned by passing through the garden of the abbey which stood on the Place. A small framework in the wall built above a well permitted an entrance into the narrow passage of the Petite-Boucherie.

The 2d fusiliers of the Marine effected this perilous entrance, and penetrating into one of the houses, fired from the windows on the insurgents, who fell back quickly to the barricades in the Rue de Seine. These, however, were but slightly defended, as the marines followed up their success, and the quarter was soon delivered from the presence of the Federals.

As soon as the inhabitants perceived the soldiers, the doors were all opened, and they hastened to offer them bread and wine. Domiciliary visits were immediately made, and, among other captures, that of a Federal named Gilbain was effected, who the day before had traversed the quarter threatening to blow it up. Barrels