Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-01
GIRL SOLDIERS.
Valiant Service Performed by Two
Young French Women.


Recently at the Belgian town of Je-
mappes the unwilling of a memorial to
the French soldiers who4fell there No
vember g. 1892. brought to mind the
heroism of two young French women
who made history in the early days of
the French revolution.
Theophile and Felicite de Fernig.
daughters of ayretired French oflcerswere
taught to handle arms in childhood. As.
womanhood approached they secretly
took part disguised by uniform, in little
expeditions organized locally to harass
the Austrian outpoSts, for but few regu
lar troops could be spared to protect their
particular district.
In this way so much experience was
gained that both learned to fight with the
assurance of old campaigners and Du-
mouriez attached them to his corps as
volunteers. They commanded as much
respect as admiration from the soldiers;
they were compared to Joan of Arc in
a dispatch, and each received brevet rank
sadjutant general.
They had faced the Prussians on French
ground at Valmy. near Chalons-sur-
Marine the day before the republic was
procla med. but their lasting reputation
was won on Flemish fields against the
Austrians. At Jemappes Dumouriez made
conspicuous use of their services as aids
de-camp. Feicite, mounted on a be-
decked horse, was sent to charge the
Austrian lines between the Due de Char
tres-whos became king as Louis Philippe
and the Due de Montpensier. Theophile
engaged an Austrian hussar In a hand to
hand fight and led him prisoner to the
commanding officer.
Their last exploit took place soon after
the execution of Louis XVI: it was at
the battle of Neerwinden, where their ex-
ample encouraged dfspirited column as
Dumouriez's soldiers fled defeated. Dur
moureez, by this time disguised with re-
publican excuses and bent on setting up
constitutional monarchy, was accused
of treacherous conduct. and his devoted
followers went over with him to the
Austrian camp. When the circumstances
of his detection became known the two
girls gave up. their commissions. They
were nevertheless prescribed and exiled
At first they lived IL. hiding, but N the.
face-64 deSfifufioffs the old courage came
to theirSa F'elicite got post as man.
sager OF ~ French. bureau de loterie au--
thorizea by the government at Brussels.
and in her best year she made as much
as 5000 francs Theophile went around
to fairs far and near selling toilet neces-'
saries. The strain of six years toll was
relieved when Felicite married NJ Van
dervallen, a Belgian officer of volunteers
whose life she had saved on the field of
Anver'echt. They set up housekeeping
in Brussels. and Theoph'le probably made
her home with them until she died. in
Lamartine says they lie in, the same
grave at Brussels. In memory Of his
sisters service their brother LOUIS Desire
de Fernig was made count Of the en-
pire by Napoleon. Louis Philippe re-
stored him to regimental rank. and he
died brigadier general in 1S47.. 1t would
he difficult to say which of the sisters
showed greater courage on the field. but
there can be no doubt that Theophile re-
Sponded more readily than did Felicitei
to the advantages they enjoyed under
their fathers training. Theophile, too
was the more beautiful and graceful.