FATAL PRANKS OF DRUNKEN GUNNERS.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2650, 15 August 1871, Page 3

FATAL PRANKS OF DRUNKEN GUNNERS.

You are aware (writes the London Telegraph’s Paris correspondent) that the batteries od Montmartre began to fire on the night of the 12th May, and that they were stopped next day because their sole effect was to slaughter Redo; al troops and innocent people inside the Parisian lines at Clichy, It appears that when the artillerymen went up to serve the guns they were all —officers included—so utterly drunk that their one desire was to get more liquor ; and the cannonading was regarded by them as an agreeable pastime—pretty much as shooting at the Ver aillais is by the offio rs of infantry, who, according to the Official Journal of the Commune, arc now forbidden to have chassepots, because they found so much “pleasure” in potting the “rnrals” that they entirely neglected to command their men. Well, when the gunners reached the batteries on the Butte, they wanted more wine, but nobody would pay fo- it ; so one followed hiccupped out, “Now, I’ll tell you; you see that white house there behind the poplar tree —I bet two litres thst I knock it over in two shells ” “ Done !” said another. Bang went the shell against the white house, cutting away its roof, and killing a child in bed by its mother’s side. Then another fellow said, “I lay five litres that I floor that other white house, next the red one.” But that “ other white house ” was occupied by a Communal picket; so when it was bombarded by their own guns, half-a-dozon unlucky guards were killed and wounded. So the diversion went on roetrily. All white houses in sight had a turn, the artillery men getting more and more wildly drunk on the produce of their bets. At last, at seven in the morning—this had gone on since early dawn—the detachments that were being pounded in the plain for the amusement of their comrades sent to complain, and orders were sent to Montmartre to stop the firing. As the story was kept entirely secret by the Commune, we do not know how many people were murdered in this fashion, or what sort of punishment has fallen on the murderers. All that has come out officially with respect to it is a declaration from the commandant of the Butte that he va? not there, and consequently repudiates all responsibility for the consequences of the inexactness of the fire.”