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Mark, Please don't be offended if I'm telling you things you already know all too well, none is meant and I am by no means an expert. If you haven't already seen it , the map on page 305 of the MECW Vol. 22 has an excellent map of the Commune has some military information. Lissagay's later chapter of his history give a good sense of the military situation if not an analysis. I seem to remember in some later Engel's letters him giving something of a pretty thorough breakdown, but can't remember who to or when (after the IInd some time though). From an extensive bibliography in a book on the period I find some of these referenced: A book by Robert Tombs, The War Against Paris, 1871 (Cambridge, 1981) is said to be principally an analysis of the military campaign, but I have no idea of it's sympathies though Cambridge is a University Press (for whatever that is worth) so one might expect, at least some facts and figures. Alistair Horne, The Fall of Paris; the Siege and the Commune, 1870-71 (Bungay, 1965; many re-prints) is also said to concentrate on the on the military, but as a side show to the F-P war. "Multiple Networks and Mobilization in the Paris Commune, 1871" by Roger V. Gould from American Sociological Review, Vol. 56, No. 6 (Dec., 1991), pp. 716-729 has a lot to say about the way the Guard operated. Paris Under the Commune by John Leighton is now on Project Guttenberg and has a ton on the inter-military struggle in the commune, occasionally spotty information, and without much analysis. There are some primary documents like the one below on the MIA: Don't know if any of this helps. Matt The Barricades CommissionCITIZENS: In order to confront all eventualities a Barricades Commission was officially constituted as soon as the enemy appeared at the walls of Paris. The Commission immediately set to work. It fortified the interior approaches of Paris and determined the points at which barricades should be put up in case of an attack. The role of the Barricades Commission was restricted to these operations as long as the Prussians limited themselves to investing Paris. Now that the enemy seems prepared to go on the offensive, the Barricades Commission must perform other duties. As improbable as would be the success of an attempt on our ramparts, it is important that we avoid any surprise and take all necessary precautions in advance. It is important that everyone know this: behind the walls protected by the courage of the army and the mobilized National Guard; behind the walls guarded by the constancy of the sitting National Guard, the Prussians will yet meet the indomitable resistance of the Parisian barricades. Consequently, it seems appropriate to the Barricades Commission to appeal to the patriotism of all and to invite every home, as a measure of protection, to IMMEDIATELY prepare two bags of earth which will be delivered at the first notice of the Commission and which will serve, along with paving stones to cover Paris with barricades within a few hours or to repair breaches. Each bag of earth should be 70 centimeters long and 35 centimeters wide so that it can be easily transported. The tissue can be simple and the price low (65 centimes at most) for those citizens who don’t prefer to manufacture them themselves. In the present circumstances it is our duty to be ready for all eventualities and to ensure ourselves against the unknown. The people know that in the members of the barricades Commission it has men decided to defend Paris foot by foot, to never surrender to the enemy of our fatherland that citadel of right and republican liberty! THE MEMBERS OF THE BARRICADES COMMISSION: Henri Rochefort, president; Jules Bastide, vice-president; V. Schoelcher; Albert, member of the Provisional Government of 1848; Martin-Bernard; Charles Floquet; A. Dreo; Cournet.---- Matt _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1 ________________________________________________ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com