 Between the end of April and 20 May, the number of trained artillerymen fell from 5,445 to 2,340.The officers of the National Guard were elected by the soldiers, and their leadership qualities and military skills varied widely.Gustave Cluseret, the commander of the National Guard until his dismissal on 1 May, had tried to impose more discipline in the army, disbanding many unreliable units and making soldiers live in barracks instead of at home.