Recognition of the fallen

La Commune de Paris. Sunday, April 9, 1871. War operations, attempts to sortie from Paris by the National Guard are not positive for the Commune. In the meantime, the number of wounded and fallen in combat increases. For this reason, measures were taken today to facilitate the recognition of the fallen by relatives. This special decree is approved:

Article 1. All information concerning dead or wounded National Guardsmen whose identity is to be ascertained, whether inside or outside Paris, shall be sent to the Hôtel de Ville, to the central office of the intelligence services.

Art. 2. The national guards whose identity has not been ascertained will be sent to the Hôtel-Dieu. The families will be able to recognize them there. Identities found in this way will be communicated to the central intelligence office at City Hall.

Art. 3. The unrecognized dead will be photographed at the places indicated above, where they will be deposited. These photographs, with a serial number corresponding to the effects of the deceased and the coffin, will be sent to the central information office in the municipality.

Art. 4. All recognized dead brought back to Paris and those not recognized will be buried at the expense of the Municipality, in the Père-Lachaise cemetery, in a place designated for this purpose. Unless there are complaints from the families, the central information office of the City Hall is responsible for the execution of this article.

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