by Michael Hill
“Paris was in full revolt,” wrote Washburne. The flight of the Thiers government to Versailles was seen as an act of cowardice. “There never was a more cowardly and disgraceful surrender than the retreat to Versailles,” wrote Wickham Hoffman. “It discouraged the respectable citizens, and abandoned to the mob all the advantages of position, immense war material, and the unbounded wealth of the capital.”
The insurgents were emboldened by their victory. “They saw at their feet one of the largest, richest, most beautiful, and most attractive cities in the world,” wrote Washburne, “with all the departments of the government, the Treasury, the War, the Navy, the Interior, the Prefecture of Police, and the Hôtel de Ville . . . With no restraint and amenable to no power, the position of the insurgents was something never before seen or even dreamed of.”
Meanwhile, Washburne received word that Adele and the family were on their way to Paris by train from Brussels. Pressed by events in the streets and demands at the Legation, Washburne sent his “faithful messenger” Antoine to the train depot to meet them. However, on the way he was seized by a group of insurgents and “forced to carry stones to build a barricade.” When Adele and the family failed to arrive home at 75 Avenue de l’Impératrice that night, Washburne feared for their safety. Totally “in the dark in regard to their movements” and unable to obtain any information about their whereabouts, Washburne spent an anxious and “very uneasy” night. The next afternoon, however, Adele and the family arrived safely at home. An American banker friend, Max Hellman, had recognized them at the station and brought them to his apartment for the night, until he could safely escort them home the following day.
With events in Paris spinning out of control, Washburne regretted that he had permitted his family to return to Paris so soon. “We are in a pretty mess here and no one knows what next,” he wrote to his brother. A few days later he admitted to a friend, “I should not have had them come back could I have foreseen all that has happened.”
That night, with the government in flight and the insurgents on the rise, Washburne hurried off an “unofficial” dispatch to Secretary of State Fish in Washington.
Elihu Washburne, Paris—to Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, Washington, D.C.—March 19, 1871, 8 P.M.
There seems today a culmination of every horror . . . I hope, however, that the worst has been reached, but God only knows. Some say organized plunder & pillage will commence soon, but I doubt it. Unfortunately, my family has returned today to find Paris in a far worse . . . position than ever.
Once the National Government moved, Washburne spent several busy days trying to find suitable accommodations for a temporary American Legation at Versailles.
Diary—March 20, 1871
I have been out to Versailles today to look the land over and see about moving my Legation. The National Assembly had met about one o’clock P.M. and a very full attendance . . . I went out in my own carriage and found a great many troops of the line on the other side of the Seine . . . But everything seemed to be a state of confusion, no confidence anywhere and no head nor tail to anything . . .
On March 21 a group calling themselves the “Amis de l’Ordre” [Friends of Order] staged a protest outside the headquarters of the National Guard at the Place Vendôme. They were quickly dispersed after a Guard commander threatened to open fire. However, the next day a group of some 1,500 protesters returned, this time refusing to disperse. The local commander ordered the National Guard to open fire on the crowd, killing 30 unarmed people. Washburne called it a “massacre,” telling a friend, “Blood has this day flown in the streets and there is everywhere intense excitement.”
Diary—March 22, 1871
An eventful and terrible day. The peace and order demonstrations yesterday enraged the insurgents and encouraged the good citizens. A good deal of alarm is being felt by the Americans in Paris and many have called for advice. At noon I started again for Versailles—ten miles—in my own carriage. I went to two gates and found them closed and began to think we were shut in. But on going to another gate and being closely questioned by a brutal and serious looking soldier, he let me through. On arriving at V[ersailles] I went at once into the Diplomatic Tribune of the National Assembly where I found many of my colleagues . . . I then went out to find a place for my Legation and engaged for . . . lodging and eating, one room, which must sustain the dignity of the great republic. Just as I was starting to return at half past five the news of the fight, or rather the murders, had reached Versailles and groups were everywhere eagerly discussing it . . .
The accommodations leased by Washburne were located at No. 7 Rue de Mademoiselle in Versailles. He described them as “thoroughly republican in simplicity,” consisting of “one room well-lighted, quite well-furnished, with a good bed in one corner, and presenting quite a cheerful appearance.”
. . . but when it comes to the question of getting something to eat, hic est opus hic labor est.3 The scramble in the restaurants would put a western steamboat in the shade in emigration times. After a brisk skirmish of an hour, I succeeded in obtaining a plate of soup, a slice of cold veal, and a piece of bread for my dinner. The worst of it is, one does not know how long this thing is to last; but I know of no other way than to take it as it comes, and to make the best of it.
Elihu Washburne, Versailles—to Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, Washington, D.C.—March 25, 1871
It would be difficult to convey to you an adequate idea of the condition of things existing in Paris. In some portions of the city all is quiet and orderly; but in other parts we see nothing but “grim-visaged war,” barricades, regiments marching and counter marching, the beating of the rappel, the mounting guard, the display of cannon and mitrailleuses,4 and the interdiction of circulation in the streets. Then there are the numerous arrests, the mock trials, and the executions . . .
Everybody inquires what is next? The disorganization of Paris is complete. There is no power to be appealed to for protection of life, liberty or property. Anarchy, assassination, and massacre hold high carnival . . .
That same day, in the midst of the chaos, Washburne once again took a moment to write to his son’s teacher in London urging Pitt’s attention to certain matters at school.
Elihu Washburne, Paris—to Paul Hedler, London—March 25, 1871
He wants more time for arithmetic and for penmanship. In this last respect, nothing improves the student more than letter writing. The more letters he writes the better. Always have the spelling corrected and the letter re-written carefully. All talk about engineering, as a profession, is premature. I should prefer he would be a doctor . . .
In the present terrible condition of things here, I would advise no one to come. It is impossible to speak of the future of Paris. All is now anarchy and terror. It must be a long time before things are settled.
On March 26, the insurrectionists ordered an election to secure political legitimacy for its actions. Washburne dismissed the results as a “put up job . . . without the pretense of legality.” But the insurgents declared a great victory, proclaiming themselves the “Commune of Paris” with absolute power over the entire city.
Washburne knew that dark days lay ahead. “It is difficult to conceive what were the sensations of those wretched creatures, who found themselves the depository of an insurrectionary and lawless power which was to end in lighting up Paris in flames, and the commission of every crime of which the imagination could conceive.”
Elihu Washburne, versailles—to Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, Washington, D.C.—March 27, 1871
The election for the commune which took place in Paris yesterday was a perfect farce. It was ordered by the comité central without the shadow of authority, and the acquiescence in it at the eleventh hour by nearly all the mayors, and some ten members of the National Assembly representing Paris, gave it no legality. Yet if the people had generally voted there would have been a certain moral force in the result. But that was not the case. There are some five hundred
and fifty thousand voters in the city. On yesterday there were not more than one hundred and eighty thousand votes cast . . . Notwithstanding all this, the insurgents will claim an advantage from the election, and assume that they have been endorsed by the people of Paris. The election will bring no change for the better, but, on the other hand, the situation will become more threatening . . .
The government here [at Versailles] evidently does not feel strong enough to cope with the Paris insurgents, and is waiting to get up other and more reliable troops . . .
Diary—March 27, 1871
Left Paris to come to Versailles in my own carriage. The election yesterday in Paris was simply a burlesque. Of the persons elected I have never heard of but few of them and those I have heard of are the worst men in Paris. The election complicates matters. The situation is more and more grave. Nothing done in the Assembly except the declaration of M. Thiers that the government would stand by the republic, which declaration was accepted. Weather magnificent.
Diary—March 28, 1871
Lord Lyons5 made an early call on me. He considers the situation as bad as possible. The truth is the Government here has no force, no decision, no courage and no energy. Thiers told his Lordship last night that it would be two weeks before they would have force enough to attack the insurgents. Jules Favre thinks when they get that force, the insurgents in Paris will cave in . He is mistaken. Let them look out for the insurgent and revolutionary spirit which will be diffused all over France . . .
Later that day, before a crowd of some one hundred thousand people, the Commune held a ceremony at the Hôtel de Ville publicly proclaiming itself the legitimate authority in Paris. Two days later Washburne reported to Washington that “events are marching apace.”
Diary—March 29, 1871
Came in from Versailles yesterday P.M. sick with a cold and went right to bed. I am down to the Legation this morning . . . The Commune and the Red Flag everywhere.
Elihu Washburne, Paris—to Secretary of State Hamilton Fish—Washington, D.C.—March 30, 1871
The election of members of the commune was proclaimed with great ceremony at the Hôtel de Ville . . . All the national guards were invited to be present. At about four o’clock they commenced to arrive from every direction, drums beating and flags flying.
Upon a platform in front of the hôtel there was placed a large square table, which was surrounded by some members of the comité central in citizens’ dress, and many officers of the national guard, all distinguished by a red scarf. The proceedings are opened by a display of flags, by repeated salvos of artillery, followed by great applause and cries of “Vive la commune!” “Vive la république!” &c . . . At a given moment the soldiers place their caps upon the point of the bayonet and raise their muskets in the air. M. Ranvier, the president of the central committee, read to the multitude the list of members elected to the commune . . . The military bands placed at the foot of the balcony then struck up the Marseillaise, the Chant du Depart . . . the entire assemblage joining in the chorus. The ceremony of the proclamation of the Commune having been finished, all the battalions which had been massed upon the place of the hôtel defiled before the balcony to the cry of “Vive la Commune!” . . . All the windows of the neighboring houses were well filled with spectators, the barricades were covered with people, and the gamins perched themselves in all the trees of the avenue Victoria . . .
The Commune may be said to be complete masters in Paris to day, as there is no force to oppose them . . .
Diary—March 31, 1871
Was at the Legation all day yesterday and very busy. The Commune is looming up and “means business.” Everything has a more sinister look. Before I left my house this morning I had word that all the trains were stopped and the gates closed. I have sent out to see what the real situation is and to get a pass, for I must go to Versailles today. The Post Office is bust—the Commune seized the whole concern and all the employees have left. Everything now will have to go to Versailles . . . There never was such a hell upon earth as this very Paris. I don’t know how soon I shall be obliged to take the family away. The Americans now begin to be alarmed and if the gates continue closed that alarm will increase in a regular panic. “How long. Oh, how long.”
Diary—March 31, 1871
Have just returned from a reception of M. Thiers. He lives at the Prefecture [of the Department of the Seine-et-Oise], which is really a beautiful palace. It was the residence of the King of Prussia when he was in Versailles. There was quite a large number of people there, nearly all gentlemen. Only about half a dozen ladies. Madame Thiers is a respectable looking person. Everybody seemed desirous of talking with Thiers and to give him advice. Nobody is satisfied with his policy. He answers complaining that he did not seek his position and would be glad to give it up, but while he holds it he shall act according to his own judgment. He says he is doing his best in his own way—that he works twenty hours a day. I guess he stretches that a little, but he has always been a great worker.
For a man of 74 he is wonderfully bright and smart—tough as a pine-knot. He always gets up at four o’clock in the morning but then he sleeps an hour before and an hour after dinner. He has his own theories and is impatient under any criticism. He asked me about Paris and I told him that things were growing worse and worse there all the time, a proposition which he warmly contested and declared that they were getting better and better all the time. When a man is struck with such blindness it is but little use in talking to him and less use in expecting much from him. There are seventy thousand troops in and around Versailles and the government persists that they cannot be depended upon and they are waiting for other troops to come up. If any man wants to be disgusted come to Versailles . . .
Washburne would later write, “And now it was in the last days of March that the hopes of so many of the best people of Paris almost died within them . . . And the spirit of insurrection and revolution seemed to be spreading over all France.”
Within days, however, Thiers and the government at Versailles were finally ready to act. At a gathering of his secret council Thiers announced, “The organization of one of the finest armies possessed by France has been completed at Versailles; good citizens can thus reassure themselves and hope for the end of a struggle which will have been painful, but short.”
On Palm Sunday, the attack began. Washburne and his family watched the commencement of the battle from the upper windows of their residence. “It was a singular sight . . . to watch . . . the progress of a regular battle under the walls of Paris,” Washburne wrote, “and to hear the roar of artillery, the rattling of musketry, and the peculiar sound of the mitrailleuses.”
Diary—April 3, 1871
Awakened at 51/2 this morning by discharges of artillery . . . Go to the Legation at 91/2 and Antoine comes in with wild reports. Some say that in the night two bodies of insurgents met and fired into each other, others that they have gone out beyond the fort and are moving on Versailles . . .
Diary—April 4, 1871
The greatest quiet has prevailed in the city all day. It is impossible to get at the truth in regard to anything, but the impression everywhere is that the Reds have been thrashed out of their boots.
The insurgent papers are perfectly furious. The Commune has impeached all the members of the Government and confiscated their property.
Diary—April 5, 1871
All last night the cannon thundered on the side of Vanves and Issy forts. It was a regular artillery duel between these forts and the Versailles batteries and nobody hurt . . . Indeed, we will not be likely to get at the truth in regard to operations as the Commune will suppress every paper that tells the truth . . . The day has been beautiful. We have watched the artillery all day from our window at the Legation. It brought back the days of the siege.
Elihu Washburne, Paris—to Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, Washington, D.C.—April 6, 1871
We still have here a large number of Americans, and while I hope that they m
ay not be molested or have their property injured, yet no one knows what may happen from hour to hour. Under such circumstances I deem it my duty to remain in Paris as much as possible, going or sending to Versailles to transact business with the government there . . .
There has been almost constant fighting ever since outside walls of the city, and in the direction of Versailles. The results have been uniformly unfavorable to the insurgents, who have lost large numbers in killed and wounded, and a great many prisoners. It seems to be understood that all of their forces are to be brought into the city under the pretext of reorganization. The greatest discouragement exists among the insurrectionary population of the city, and the most desperate things are not only proposed but are being accomplished . . .
Diary—April 6, 1871
There is intense excitement in the city today. There is the decree of the Commune for the establishment of a Revolutionary tribunal—vast numbers of the best citizens are seized as hostages and cast into dungeons . . . All Frenchmen prohibited from leaving Paris. The Legation crowded all day with Americans seeking passports and advice . . .