OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 3, 20 May 1898, Page 31

OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR.

Now that American girls at Atalanta are taking t 0 rifle-shooting and practising the goose-step with a view to wiping out the Spaniards it may interest some of the readers of the N.Z. Tablet to know what nerve a pluoky woman may display in trying circumstances. Many s>uch instances have been cited in our article on the subject of women in war. A contemporary tells the story of how Julietto Dodu won the cross of the Legion of Honour in 1870. The cross of the Legion of Honour has been conferred upon 44 women—in most cashes nuns, for heroic service as nurses, but occasionally for acts of patriotism and daring, as well as achievements in science and the art*. An interesting- account of these gifted women is furnished by the author of Lex Fe mines Decoreex.

One of the youngest women who have ever received the cross is Juliette Dodu, Creole. In 1870 Madame Dodu was telegraph operator at Pithiviers, and Juliette was her assistant. In November of that year the Prussian officers who were established at Orleans sent a telegram to Prince Frederick Charles at Pithiviers describing the exact situation of part of the French army which was inarching on Gien, and also the manoeuvres necessary to surround them. The Prussians, on taking possession of the telegraph office, had confined Mdmselle. Dodu to her room. Through this room however, the telegraph wires passed, and Juliette read the Prussian despatch. She realised that to tamper with the wires was an act for which she might be shot, but she did not hesitate. She sent a despatch to the subprefect, who sent to the French Commander. The Prussian movement was anticipated, and the French troops were saved. When the Prussians discovered what Juliette had done, she was condemned to be shot as a spy but h rcderic Charles pardoned her and commended her bravery Who received a military medal, and in 1878 the French Government Rave her the era»s. Who is now an inspector of primary schools in Paris. eg