Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/481

 *ceeded in rallying a portion of their forces, made them return to the cemetery and continue the service of the batteries which they had abandoned so precipitately.

But this return of resistance was not of long duration. The insurgents, seeing themselves attacked on three sides at the same time, understood that soon all retreat would be impossible, and most of them fled in great haste, after having spiked their pieces. It was time; three regiments of the line crossed at the same moment the boundary of Père-Lachaise. The determined men who had persisted in retaining this position, opened upon the soldiers a violent fire of musketry, sheltering themselves behind the tombs, among which they slowly retreated. It was a useless effort; soon forced to yield before the firmness of the attack, the troops were quickly in possession of the disputed ground, making its defenders prisoners.

The cemetery, garnished with cannon, with loopholes pierced in its walls, dug up in different parts for the establishment of entrenchments, presented a singular spectacle, the disorder contrasting sadly with its solemn and peaceful intention.

Near the tomb of the Duke de Morny were several pieces of artillery, while in the vault itself the ammunition was stored. On the left of the tomb were two guns, and a few steps to the right five more. Near the chapel, which probably served as headquarters of the staff, were two more pieces. This position was, in fact, well chosen for the end the insurgents had in view. The eye from here embraces, in their smallest details, the large avenues of the capital, and the quarters which had suffered so terribly from the conflagration.

Many of the tombs were badly injured, particularly in the 37th division, Chemin du Bourget. In one a shell pierced the outer wall of the tomb and lodged in the bottom of the sepulchre without exploding. Others had