In spite of an intense bombardment which partially
ruined the city, she took the most effective means possible
to maintain calm in the city and to protect the lives of the
inhabitants.
In this department, a lay instructress, Mlle. Cheron, merited a
citation which does not contain the least over-praise:
She evidenced the greatest energy in difficult
circumstances. Charged with the duties of Secretary to the
Mayor, and alone at the time of the arrival of the Germans,
she was not disconcerted by their threats, and kept her head
in the face of their demands with remarkable calm and
decision. When our troops returned, she assumed
responsibility for the service and feeding of the
cantonment. She personally took the steps necessary for the
identification and burial of the dead. Finally, she was able
to prevent panic at the time of the bombardment by the force
of her example and her encouragement of the populace.
Those three nuns were also Frenchwomen and fighters of whom the
"Journal Officiel" in the general order spoke as follows:
Mlle. Rosnet, Marie, sister of the order of St. Vincent de
Paul, Mother Superior of the Hospice at Clermont-en-Argonne,
remained alone in the village and showed during the German
occupation an energy and coolness beyond all praise.
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