3-039-120 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Conflict in Paris: massacre in the Place Vendôme, 1871. 'It seems that a pacific demonstration, in favour of the Versailles Government and National Assembly, and against the Montmartre and Belleville insurgents, was made by a large number of unarmed men, shouting "Long live the Republic!" "Long live Order!"...they called upon the insurgent National Guards to retire and allow themselves to be relieved by the National Guard belonging to the district. The insurgent National Guards refused...After some discussion, the persons forming the demonstration caused the tricolour to be advanced, whereupon the insurgent National Guards threatened to use their bayonets...the crowd advanced; the drums of the insurgent National Guards encamped in the square were beat, and several shots were fired in the air. The crowd fell back on all sides; but not with sufficient rapidity to please the insurgents, three ranks of whom took aim and opened a file fire upon the people in their front. For about five minutes this slaughter went on, till the crowd fled in great terror and disorder...The killed and wounded were estimated at not less than thirty. Baron Nathan received two balls in his chest'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.