Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/239

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Colonel Rossel, Delegate of War, in accordance with the injunctions of the Committee of Public Safety, to allot the military commands as soon as possible, has issued the following orders:

"General Dombrowski will go in person to Neuilly, and take command on the right bank; General La Cecilia will direct the operations between the Seine and the left bank of the Bièvre, and will take the title of General of the Centre; General Wrobleski will remain at the head of the left wing; Generel Bergeret will command the first reserve brigade, and General Eudes the second. Each of the above-named generals will retain headquarters in the interior of the city: 1. Dombrowski at the Place Vendôme; 2. La Cecilia, Ecole Militaire; 3. Wrobleski, Elysée; 4. Eudes, Legion of Honor; and 5. General Bergeret, Legislative Body."

The same functionary published the following circular to the inhabitants of the suburbs:


"Citizens:—Since I held the post I now occupy, I have received several letters informing me that inoffensive persons had been struck by fragments of shells in our villages.

"Until the war shall be brought to a close, I will do all in my power to prevent useless suffering; but, in order that I may stop the fire of the batteries directed on such or such a point by individual commanders, I must be informed in time, and in a positive manner, that the enemy does not occupy the spots indicated. On the other hand, it is necessary that I should receive the contrary information when the soldiers are present.

"The communes or hamlets which can offer me such guarantees shall be assured against these regretable and useless cruelties. You see what I ask is not simple neutrality, but a sort of alliance.

"Salutation and fraternity,

"Rossel."