On the 4th of October, 1795, at six o’clock in the morning, Napoleon visited every post, and placed his troops in line. They were few in number, and might easily have been destroyed by the populace.

While everything portended a sanguinary affair, the danger becoming every instant more pressing, the Convention discussed the situation without coming to any decision. Suddenly a column of a few battalions headed by Lafond, an emigrant, appeared on Point Neuf, and obliged Cartaux to fall back under the posterns. At about a quarter past four some rockets were fired from the Hotel de Noailles. This was the signal for the attack. Lafond’s column wheeled round, and marched on the Pont Royal along the Quai Voltaire. This column was routed by the artillery of the Louvre and Pont Royal after rallying three times under the fire. St. Roche was taken, and every other post occupied by the sectionaries, was cleared. At six o’clock, the affray was over; and if a few cannon were heard during the night, they were discharged to destroy the barricades which some of the citizens still wished to maintain.