The following order of the day of General de Ladmirault, commanding the first army corps of Versailles, sums up the principal episodes of this eight days battle:—­

“Officers and soldiers of the First Corps d’Armee,—­

The defences of the lines of Neuilly, Courbevoie, Becon and Asnieres served you by way of apprenticeship.  Your energy and courage were formed amid the greatest works and perils.  Every one in his grade has given an example of the most complete abnegation and devotion.  Artillery, engineers, troops of the line, cavalry, volunteers of the Seine-et-Oise, you rivalled each other in zeal and ardour.  Thus prepared, on the 22nd of the month you attacked the insurgents, whose guilty designs and criminal undertakings you knew and despised.  You devoted yourselves nobly to save from destruction the monuments of our old national glory, as well as the property of the citizens menaced by savage rage.

On the 23rd of the month, the formidable position of the Buttes Montmartre could no longer resist your efforts, in spite of all the forces with which they were covered.

This task was confided to the first and second division and the volunteers of the Seine and Seine-et-Oise, and the heads of the various columns arrived simultaneously at the summit of the position.

On the 24th, the third division, which alone had been charged with the task of driving the insurgents out of Neuilly, Levallois-Perret, and Saint-Ouen, joined the other divisions, and took possession of the terminus of the Eastern Railway, while the first division seized that of the Northern line by force of arms.

On the 26th, the third division occupied the rotonde—­circular place —­of La Villette.

On the 27th, the first and second division, with the volunteers of the Seine-et-Oise, by means of a combined movement, took the Buttes Chaumont and the heights of Belleville by assault, the artillery having by its able firing prepared the way for the occupation.

Finally, on the 28th, the defences of Belleville yielded, and the first corps achieved brilliantly the task which had been confided to them.

During the days of the struggle and fighting you rendered the greatest service to civilization, and have acquired a claim to the gratitude of the country.  Accept then all the praise which is due to you.

Paris, 29th May, 1871.

The General commanding the First Corps d’Armee,

(Signed) “LADMIRAULT.”

During the day of the 28th of Kay Marshal MacMahon caused the following proclamation to be posted in the streets of Paris:—­

“Inhabitants of Paris,—­

The army of France is come to save you.  Paris is relieved.  The last positions of the insurgents were taken by our soldiers at four o’clock.  Today the struggle is at an end; order, labour, and security are springing up again.

Paris, Quartier General, the 28th May, 1871.