The Paris Commune. Tuesday, April 4, 1871. The offensive of the Communards, launched yesterday, fails today at Châtillon and about 1,500 men are taken prisoner and brought to Versailles. Many soldiers of the Commune's Civil Guard are murdered after their surrender. Émile Duval, who led the Communard army corps that moved yesterday on the left front, surrenders today after being overwhelmed. He is shot during the day along with his chief of staff, contrary to all the laws of war that prohibit the execution of those who have surrendered. In Paris, Archbishop Darboy is arrested. Gustave Paul Cluseret is appointed war delegate of the Commune. In Limoges, in the morning, the population, with many women at the forefront, together with the National Guard, successfully try to prevent the departure and passage of government troops sent against the Paris Commune. The railway station and the prefecture are occupied and the Commune is proclaimed. However, in the evening, the arrival of new government regiments suppresses the insurrection and the return to government order is immediate. The Communard experience also ends today in Marseille. (in the photo: Émile Duval photographed by Nadar)
