September 2, 1870, the French armies are defeated by the Prussians, which marks the fall of the Second Empire and the proclamation of the Republic. A provisional government, known as the "Jules" government, is formed in Paris. A young officer in the Army of the Rhine, Louis-Nathaniel RosseL, rebels against the political intrigues. After the surrender of Metz, Rossel joins Gambetta, who improvises an army from Tours. The delegate of the National Defense government appoints him as an auxiliary colonel, and he finds himself in the Nevers camp. There that he learns that the capitulation party has won, and that the Paris Commune had risen up. Now he is plunged into a battle with no other outcome than death or exile. With no particular affinity with the labor movement, he has joined socialism out of patriotism, and his desire to organize the Commune unfortunately fails. After refusing the dictatorship proposed to him, Rossel resigns and knows he can expect only the worst. Denounced to the Versaillais and imprisoned, he refuses the flight offered to him by Thiers' men. He is shot at the age of 27 in 1871 at Satory. Written by Guy Bellinger

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