31. The Commune’s last stand¶
Core Argument¶
On 27 May, the Versaillese army completed its encirclement of the remaining Federal strongholds, tightening a noose that had been prepared in coordination with the Prussian occupiers. The Bastille fell after six hours of desperate defence, its barricades and houses reduced to rubble. La Villette continued to resist, with Federals concentrating along the canal line. Ranvier issued a proclamation urging further resistance, but confusion reigned. The Prussians, by prior agreement with Versailles, surrounded Paris on the north and east, trapping Federals attempting to retreat and providing direct military support to Thiers. At the Rue Haxo, forty-eight hostages—gendarmes, ecclesiastics, and civilians—were executed by Federals, the crowd applauding. Millière was captured on the left bank, refused to kneel for his execution, and was forced down and shot at the Panthéon, crying ‘Vive l’humanité!’
The night of 27–28 May was feverish in Belleville and Ménilmontant under shellfire. On Saturday morning, troops occupied Charonne and the Place du Trône without resistance. At La Villette, the barricade of the Rue Puebla fell. Nine or ten Council members met in the Rue Haxo; Ranvier interrupted their deliberations, telling them to fight instead of discuss. They dispersed—the last meeting of the Commune’s council. The Versaillese occupied Bastion 16 by midday, causing a panicked crowd to flee through the Romainville gate. Colonel Parent’s unauthorised request to pass through Prussian lines was refused. Arnold’s attempt to send a letter via American intervention was also rebuffed.
Versaillese battalions advanced through the Rue de Crimée but were stopped at Rue de Bellevue. By 5pm, the Buttes Chaumont fell silent for lack of ammunition. Ferré moved line soldiers to Belleville church, but the diversion allowed Versaillese to occupy the Place des Fêtes. The Père la Chaise cemetery fell after a desperate hand-to-hand struggle. By Saturday evening, only parts of the 11th and 20th arrondissements remained. The last barricade, in the Rue Ramponeau, was defended by a single Federal who escaped. Fighting ceased around 11pm. The Commune’s last cannon fired in the Rue de Paris. Of 79 Council members, one died on the barricades, two were shot, and several wounded. Federal losses were 3,000 killed or wounded. The fort of Vincennes surrendered on Monday 29th; nine officers were executed by firing squad in the ditches.