Barricades and tree of freedom, Royal Street, Paris, 1848. Photograph: Roger-Viollet/Rex Features
A sanguinary and obstinate insurrection has outbroken in Paris, in consequence of the determination of the government to clear the ateliers nationaux of the immense numbers of workmen who have there been supported at the expense of the taxpayers. Torrents of blood have flowed.
Paris, Friday Evening. - Across the boulevard was an immense barricade, formed of four or five omnibuses, several carriages, a huge wagon, and paving-stones taken from the streets. A little beyond the Rue St Denis was another, fully as formidable as the first; and still further on a third. The barricades were defended by some hundreds of people in blouses. They had a great number of tricoloured flags stuck upon the top.
Dense columns of troops were to be seen advancing. There was a sudden movement among the conspirators, a few of whom took to their heels. The firing began on the side of the conspirators, who discharged several rounds. The national guard returned the fire with spirit. In something less than half an hour the barricades were taken. I am quite unable to say how many were killed and wounded, but the number must be considerable
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