For many days, rumours of an uprising of the people and a march for change had been circulating. It started in the early morning when I had just begun my guard duties at the Cathedral Notre Dame. My men and I heard, as well as saw, a large group of men, and some women, marching down the street. I did not know where they were headed, but I pitied whoever got in their way because I knew their fate would not be good. All morning people marched, many called for me and my men to join them, but we refused, and were ready to defend the Church if any were brave enough to try to get by us. In the late morning less and less people walked by, but I could hear angry shouting in the distance. Early in the afternoon, I saw smoke coming from the distance, in the general direction of the Bastilles. I worried for the guards down there, even though I never thought they would be defeated, the crowd was very angry and I hoped no harm would befall any of the soldiers working over there. As the afternoon continued the shouting continued to get louder and louder, and I saw smoke coming from the same area. A soldier came running to ask us for assistance in defending the Bastille, where I had suspected the mob had attacked, and I considered sending some of my men to help .I could not spare any men though, because so many (seven of the usual 12 in my command) were already missing. Many did not show up because of the rumours of an attack planned by many of the villagers. I now regret that I did not sent any of my men to help, if they could have made a difference at all, as the horrible sight I saw that evening is burned into my mind forever. I saw a man that I had admired and looked up to for as long as I can remember, and a friend of my father’s, head cut off right in front of me. The honourable man and general De Launay was humiliated and killed on the street in front of me. He was a man that had stayed true to our honourable King Louis XIV for his whole life, and this is how he is repaid. Even though I would have liked to tear the heads off the men who did this to my friend, I had more pressing matters to worry about. The crowd of people returning from the Bastilles was angry and rowdy and was set on destruction. I did the best I could to protect the Church, but a lot of damage was sustained, mostly because I was short so many men. I am glad that the mob did not attach harder, or I might have lost my life. My group of men and myself spent most of the night and next morning cleaning up the mess that had been left by the mob. I disapprove of the actions of these people very much. They killed many great men and destroyed many great valuable objects on their way. I hope that these people never try anything of this nature ever again, settle down, be content with their lives, and begin to treat their monarchy with the respect they deserve.

-Jacques Petain, Guard in the Royal French Army