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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

                                          
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