and the rest submit without any other condition than to have their lives spared, and to be allowed to live where they please except in Paris, that favor will be accorded them.
"Should the said commander not reply affirmatively within the time mentioned above, the whole garrison shall be put to the sword.
"E. Leperche,
"Colonel of the Staff, Major of the Trenches."
The insurgents demanded a half-hour to deliberate, at
the end of which time they had not yet agreed; a large
majority indicating visibly a desire to put down their
arms. The close of the day interrupted any further negotiations.
The night was occupied by the insurgents in
repairing the damage done and occupying the fort with
fresh troops.
In the morning the white flag was again hoisted from the fort, and the officers of the staff, in responding, found themselves in the presence of the famous Eudes, who declared that he would continue the resistance to the last—that the Commune did not wish to treat with "assassins." He also forwarded the subjoined mission from the new Minister of War:
Paris, May 1, 1871.
"To Citizen Leperche, Major of the Trenches before Fort
Issy:i>
"My Dear Comrade:—The next time that you venture to send us so insolent a communication as your letter of yesterday, I will have your messenger shot, in conformity with the usages of war.
"Your devoted comrade,
"Rossel,
"Delegate of the Commune of Paris."
Rossel and Leperche had served together at Metz. The
