Mr. Washburne to Mr. Fish
Sir: I came in from Versailles last night, entering the city by the gate of Point du Jour without any interruption. After leaving my home to come to the legation, at half past ten o’clock this morning, I had not proceeded far when I heard the discharge of cannon, mitrailleuses, and musketry. Soon the reports became more and more distinct, and it was quite evident that fighting was going on in the vicinity of the bridge of Neuilly, about one mile and a half from the legation. A gentleman who has just come in from that vicinity says that it was undoubtedly an engagement between some insurgent troops, who went out of the city last night in the direction of Versailles, and the government forces. He was a good way to the front, and several shells burst near him. Finding themselves opposed the insurgents beat a hasty retreat, and came into town pell-mell by the gate of Maillot, and, in order to be entirely safe, they drew up the bridge and closed the gate after them. As I am writing this, Antoine, whom I had sent out in search of information, has returned, and he reports the affair much more serious than I had supposed; but in such times of excitement great allowance should be made, and one hardly knows what to believe. He talked with many soldiers, who had run away from the fight, who told him that several thousand men had left the city last night to march upon Versailles. All acknowledged that they had been badly handled, some attributing their disaster to one cause and some to another. One said they were sent off without ammunition, and that they were therefore unable to return the fire. Others said that they were assured they would meet no opposition from the government troops, but on the contrary would be received with open arms. Instead thereof they were welcomed “with bloody hands to hospitable graves.” One thing, however, is quite certain, the insurgents have met with a repulse, which may possibly lead to important results. On going to the Champs Elysées at half past twelve I found a regiment of the insurgent national guard had advanced up the avenue and halted near the Arc of Triumph. On the other side of the Arc there was an immense crowd of people and national guards, all looking in the direction where the firing had been going on up to within half an hour. While standing there some emotion was created by a few artillerymen dashing along with a piece of six, and although they were yelling and brandishing their swords they failed to obtain but a feeble acclamation as they passed from the crowd or from the regiment of soldiers. The most distinct recognition was from an enthusiastic little Frenchman at my side, who cried out, “Vive l’artillerie terrible!”
4 p. m.—I have just been into the avenue of the grand army and found there a dense crowd of excited people, together with some three or four thousand insurgent soldiers and thirty pieces of artillery. They were undoubtedly expecting another attack from the Versailles troops. Twenty prisoners, troops of the line, were marched through the avenue while I was there. Many of the people cried out, “Vive la ligne!” but the soldiers made no response nor evinced any disposition to fraternize.
In my 404 I spoke of the suppression of postal facilities in Paris. It may now be said to be complete except so far as the interior of the city is concerned. M. Rampont, the director of the post, succeeded on the night of the 30th in removing his department and everything belonging [Page 322] to it, as well as all the employés, to Versailles. The government of the commune is very furious on the subject, as the interruption of postal facilities and all communication with the department is a great blow to Paris, and is creating much dissatisfaction. The commune is already at loggerheads and the greatest confusion reigns in its councils. Seventeen members have already resigned. I wrote you on Thursday last that the Journal Officiel of the Republic had taken the name of the “Journal Officiel de la Commune.” The next day it resumed its former title, without giving any reason for the change either way. I propose to send this dispatch under cover to Mr. Moran, by the messenger of the British embassy to-morrow morning, that it may be forwarded to you by the open mail which leaves London on Tuesday next.
I have, &c.,