Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/459

 d'Eau with a courage, animation, and intelligence which were admirable; they entered the houses and fired from the windows on the barracks of the Chateau-d'Eau, the Magasins Réunis, and the six barricades of the Place.

After fifteen hours effort, the barricade yielded before the energetic attack of the troops; the cannon ended by opening a breach, and the soldiers rushing on the Barrack Prince Eugène and the Magasins Réunis, carried them at the point of the bayonet.

Most of the houses of the Place du Chateau-d'Eau attest the violence of this rude engagement; their fronts are riddled with bullets and shells, while many are entirely consumed by fire.

It was near the barricades of the Chateau-d'Eau that the Delegate of War, Citizen Delescluze, faithful to his promise, came to seek his death by the side of those whom he had encouraged in this horrible revolt.

Judging the cause lost, Delescluze left, about noon, his colleagues, who had taken refuge in the Mairie of the 11th Arrondissement, and directed himself with the calm appearance of an indifferent pedestrian towards the scene of combat, passing through the Boulevard Voltaire. On the way he met several National Guards, soldiers and officers, whose hands he silently pressed. As he advanced, he was told of the dangers which menaced him in that direction from the falling shells. Without any reply to this warning he continued to advance, and a few moments later he was struck by three balls and mortally wounded. He paid with his life the "trop coupable" agitation of which he had been one of the most ardent promoters.

The body of Delescluze was found on Friday afternoon surrounded by twenty-eight corpses. It was recognized by the architect Lenormand.

Delescluze was in civil dress; black coat and gray trousers, with a silk hat and patent-leather boots. By his