Recollections of a minister to France, 1869-1877

Chapter I. The Armistice And The Evacuation

PAGE Terms of the Convention—Relief Contributions from Americans—Meeting of the National Assembly—Entry of the German Troops into Paris—How American Property was Respected During the Siege— Making and Ratification of the Treaty of Bordeaux—Departure of the Victorious Prussians—A Warning to German Residents—Discontent Among the Lower Classes of Parisians—Approval of the Election of Thiers—The Assembly Moved to Versailles............ I

Chapter II. Rise Of The Commune

The Insurrection of March 18th—Fraternization of the Troops of the Line and the National Guard—The Government Driven to Versailles—Formation of the Central Committee—Assassination of Generals Thomas and Lecomte—Seizure of the Journal Officiel—The Procession of ‘Friends of Order” Fired upon—A Reign of Terror earis uP areical Wlection Simon osi-csine sa tst ge nacecle's aiereine > Sees 27

GCHAPT ERs LY: ANARCHY AND TERRORISM IN PARIS.

The Installation of the Commune—One Hundred Thousand Persons Present at the Ceremony—Secret Sessions and Infamous Decrees— Full Possession Taken of all’Public Offices—The Insurgents Defeated in Several Battles with the Government Troops—Commotion in the Councils of the Commune—Burning of the Guillotine—Confis- Canlonmo werivatcebropenty: OLCeheUa wammey ir it atest tee ere re 61 an CONTENTS.

CHA PT WRAL:

DESPERATION OF THE INSURGENTS.

Continued Fighting outside the Walls—The Communists Defeated—The Career of Lullier—Shells Bursting in the Streets of Paris—Cluseret’s Fall from Power—Destruction of the Home of Thiers—Overthrow of the Column Vendéme—Release of Imprisoned Nuns—The Terrible Plight of the Commune, occ. 60s seta ene ent 2 ocieloin aie cialis pivlne tie 0

CHAPTERS V: THE DOWNFALL OF THE COMMUNE.

Dissensions among the Insurgent Leaders—Organization of a Committee of Public Safety—Attempt to Occupy the American Legation—The City Entered by Government Troops—A Week of Fighting in the Streets—Rigault’s Fitting End—Burning of the Tuileries and other Public Buildings—How the Complete Destruction of the City was Prevented—Terrible Struggles at the Barricades—End of the Reign of Terror

CHAPTER VI.

ASSASSINATION OF ARCHBISHOP DARBOY.

A Detailed Account of his Arrest and Imprisonment—His Seizure as a Hostage—The Intervention of the American Minister Asked—A Visit to the Prison of Mazas—The Archbishop’s Cheerfulness in Adversity—Fruitless Efforts to Effect his Exchange for Blanqui—His Fate Decided by the Communist Leaders—Scenes at his Execution —An Imposing Funeral—A Hand-to-hand Fight in La Roquette....

CHAP TH Rae Vile A REVIEW OF LEADERS AND EVENTS.

The Career and Crimes of Raoul Rigault—Assassination of Gustave Chaudey—Cluseret, Rossel, Assi, Bergeret, and Eudes—Proclamations and Decrees during the Last Days of the Commune—The Orders to Burn the City—Important Buildings which were Destroyed —How the Credit and Treasure of the Bank of France were Preserved—A Brief Summary of Losses—Wholesale Execution and Deportation of Communists

Fe ee meee ere rere eee er er es seresee

PAGE