The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-02-01

Tn ITS issue of July %, 17S9-the
ISSUE next succeeding the Fail of
- the Bastile-"Ie Moniteur"-or the
Monitor as we would say-carried an
account of the event which perhaps
was written by its own editor. Who
ever ii was, this chrOnicler must have
been an eyewitness. The attention
tC detail, the certainty with which he
speaks of this phase or that, proves
this. Besides, in referring TO the at
lacking force he says. 1--WE said this"
or We did that"
After dealing ar length with the
preliminary stages of the siege of the
hated fortress by the populace and
with the popular hatred for its COM
mandant. NJ. de Launay, the paper
proceeds to a spirited and cirCum-
stantial account Of the main engage
ment:
AT the first news Of the attack on
the Bastile the very name of which
recalled thoughts of lettres de cachet,
of shame and of oppression, heads
were inflamed. madness transported
them and daring suddenly became as
great as the terror which had so long
been felt at the mention of this for
midable name. Moment by moment
the crowd of attackers grew. To it
were added citizens of every age, of
both sexes, of every condition ON
GERS. soldiers. firemen, women, priests,
artisans, journalists, the greater part
unarmed. all whirling about excitedly,
all moved by a common impulse.
dashed from the various quarters of
Paris and FASTENED by a hundred
routes towards the Bastile. The Fau-
bourg st. Antoine. which was directly
under the artillery of the fort and was
even more stirred up because of its
proximity, turned out in its entirety.
One also saw rushing thither country
people, strangers and warriors recent
~ arrived from other countries. One
young Greek, subject OF great lord,
watched our enthusiasm, and, fired by
it. turned French. Many, as soon as
they learned of the attack on the Bas-
tile. were drawn thither by different
motives. Some in the hope of pillage.
These received their due
An Intrepid Patriot.
"Others came only to succor the
wounded or TO shield from the fury
CT the attackers parents, friends or
those from whom they during their
captivity had furtively received con-
solatinns. Thus humanity, gratitude,
and fiIial piety were expressed at the
risk of life and limb. However. on
they fought. dying around the draw
bridge. Women rushing to the aid
of their husbands fell wounded. One
woman who sought only war and vic
tory fought in the front ranks of the
conquerors of the Bastile. Soon the
people hurled themselves in mob in
to the court of the government house
and rushed 70 take the second bridge,
at the same time firing a yolley of
musketry at the troops. These lat
ter replied with lively and sustained
fire which forced the attackers to re-
tire In disorder.
hour when suddenly from the arsenal
side (of the fort) came the beating
of drums AMI sounds of shouting. AT
the same instant we saw coming in
TO the Court de 'Orme, flag escorted
by a crowd of armed citizens. A
great company then advanced towards
the court of the government house
and cried TO the enemy 10 hold their
fire. that there were deputies from
the Hotel de Vile who wished to
speak to the governor. Soon a white
flag was raised on the, bastiOns and
the signs of peace and parley were
multiplied by waving of hats. Upon
this friendly invitation, NJ. de Corney,
accompanied by several others includ-
ing NJ. JoannOt. who carried the flag
and was preceded by a drum, began
TO march toward the arch which led
toward the POnt dAvance. A man
called to their attention a cannon
which had been pulled into loop
hole in the tower and which was
aimed into the Court de F0rme Ev-
eryone cried to them to put no trust
in the perfidious promises which
would be made them.
an. Francotay alone went forward
with drum and flag to the very foot
of the moat while NJ. de Corny re-
manned under the arch. Several of
the people threw themselves upon
him and begged him not 10 expose
himself thus TO the fire of the enemy.
but the intrepid patriot as strongly
urged them to withdraw from him.