officers were late, the order of the, day issued by General Ambert,
recognising the Imperial Government, was produced and passed along the
ranks, causing such excitement that one of the officers drew his sword
and cried, "Long live the emperor!" These magic words were re-echoed
from every side, and they all hastened to the barracks of the 63rd
Regiment, which at once joined the officers. At this juncture Marshal
Pelissier arrived, and did not appear to welcome the turn things had
taken; he made an effort to restrain the enthusiasm of the crowd, but was
immediately arrested by his own soldiers. The officers repaired in a
body to the headquarters of General Briche, commandant of the garrison,
and asked for the official copy of the order of the day. He replied that
he had received none, and when questioned as to which side he was on he
refused to answer. The officers upon this took him prisoner. Just as
they had consigned him to the barracks for confinement, a post-office
official arrived bringing a despatch from General Ambert. Learning that
General Briche was a prisoner, the messenger carried his packet to the
colonel of the 63rd Regiment, who was the next in seniority after the
general. In opening it, it was found to contain the order of the day.

Instantly the colonel ordered the 'gineyale' to sound: the town guards
assumed arms, the troops left the barracks and formed in line, the
National Guards in the rear of the regular troops, and when they were all
thus drawn up; the order of the day was read; it was then snatched out of
the colonel's hands, printed on large placards, and in less time than
seemed possible it was posted up in every street and at every street
corner; the tricolour replaced the white cockade, everyone being obliged
to wear the national emblem or none at all, the city was proclaimed in a
state of seige, and the military officers formed a vigilance committee
and a police force.

While the Duc d'Angouleme had been staying at Nimes, General Gilly had
applied for a command in that prince's army, but in spite of all his
efforts obtained nothing; so immediately after the dinner at which he was
insulted he had withdrawn to Avernede, his place in the country. He was
awoke in the night of the 5th-6th April by a courier from General Ambert,
who sent to offer him the command of the 2nd Subdivision. On the 6th,
General Gilly went to Nimes, and sent in his acceptance, whereby the
departments of the Gard