No soldier's cap was removed, while the
citizens stood around with bare heads. An officer occupied a position on
the steps of the altar and with unsheathed sword faced the soldiers,
then standing in the body of the church. He gave orders in a loud voice
at intervals during the service and his commands sounded strangely
through the echoing arches of the cathedral. At the order "restez
armes," the iron shod butts of the muskets dropped together on the
stone floor, reminding those present of the stern realities of war and
the sweet consolations of religion.
At the elevation of the sacred host, came the orders "Portez armes,"
"Presenter armes," "a genoux." Every soldier's right knee touched
the floor and remained there while the muskets were held "a presenter."
The solemn tones of the gong floated through the cathedral. When
they ceased, the sharp order of "debout" rang out and all were on their
feet in an instant. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the body was
again carried out; a line was formed while the band struck up a mournful
dirge, and they marched to the cemetery as escort of their lost and
well loved officer.
The survivors of the company to which Paul belonged were now drafted
into the regular army in the section known as "Bataillon Des
Tirailleurs.
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