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." Paul did not relish the change from the free and easy life of the Franc-tireurs to the strict discipline of the regular army.