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.
[Illustration: THE ACTION AT St. ROCHE’S.]