Appendices¶
Core Argument¶
The appendices to this chapter assemble a devastating documentary record of the Paris Commune's final weeks and the Versailles repression that followed, drawing on official correspondence, eyewitness testimony, and press reports to expose the brutality of the counter-revolutionary victory. The collection opens with General Guiod's cynical offer to place a protégé where he might "fire cannons into the air" and face minimal danger, a revealing glimpse into the casual corruption of the military hierarchy. A Central Committee member's account of 18 March 1871 depicts the revolutionary leadership's disorganisation: the Committee had adjourned at 3.30am unaware of the Government's plans, learned of events through public rumour, and by midday had reached no decision. Messengers dispatched to organise barricades saw only four return from their missions.
The appendices document the Commune's practical achievements alongside its vulnerabilities. Theisz's account of taking over the Post Office describes how Director Rampont initially refused to recognise the Central Committee's authority, then proposed remaining under its control until elections. When the Commune voted Theisz's nomination, employees were ordered to Versailles; Theisz closed the doors and persuaded some to stay. Postage stamps were manufactured by Camelinat, wages raised for postmen, and letters smuggled to the provinces until Versailles altered stamp markings to intercept them. At the National Printing Office, Pindy and Louis Debock retained all personnel except the director and two others, had foremen elected by workers, cut higher salaries while raising lower ones, and reduced monthly expenses from 120,000 francs to under 20,000 francs weekly. An order from Pindy on 24 May proves the Archives were not to be burnt, contradicting the Union Republicaine's false claims.
The most harrowing passages concern the Versailles massacres. Millière, forced to kneel, cried "Vive la République!" three times, then "Vive le Peuple! Vive l'humanité!" A sentry replied "On va t'en foutre de l'humanite!" before a non-commissioned officer fired point-blank at his temple. Madame Millière's legal proceedings against Captain Garcin were halted by Minister of War De Cissey's letter stating Garcin had merely executed orders. The Tricolor reported General Gallifet selecting 111 grey-haired Federals from over 2,000 prisoners and having them shot; eyewitnesses described him selecting eighty-three men and three women at La Muette on 26 May. A Times correspondent reported prisoners being dragged, shot after refusing to march, and a husband and wife shot after kneeling to beg for immediate execution. Tony Moilin, who had been mayor for barely two days, was told by his court-martial that his mayoral role did not merit death, but he was a Socialist leader, dangerous through his talents, and "a prudent government must rid itself of such men when it finds a legitimate occasion." His body was refused to his widow.