3-034-840 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Execution of Rossel, Ferré, and Bourgeois at Satory, near Paris, 1871. 'The execution of the sentence of death passed by the Council of War at Versailles upon the Communist leaders Rossel, Ferré, and Bourgeois, took place in the Polygon of the Camp at Satory, on Tuesday week, at seven o'clock in the morning...before [the three] stakes were the three shooting parties, composed each of twelve men. Rossel...was still calm, and the expression of his face was of perfect peace. There was an entire absence of anything like bravado...Rossel quietly took off his greatcoat, put his back to the stake, standing erect as the bandage was tied over his eyes, and remained motionless. Meantime the other two prisoners approached their respective stakes. Ferré, still smoking, walked up to the stake with a short, quick step, turning sharply round and boldly facing the shooting party. When the white handkerchief, like that with which the eyes of the other two were bandaged, was produced for him, he waved his hand in token of rejecting it, flung his hat carelessly upon the ground, drew himself up, and waited unflinchingly for the fatal word...The three shooting parties advanced simultaneously to within ten paces of the stakes, and fired together...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.