Angélique Brûlon

[5] Initially, Duchemin was a vivandière, ensuring provisions for the soldiers.

[7] In 1797, she asked to be allowed into Les Invalides after she received severe wounds but was denied seven years.

Napoleon III decorated her as a Chevalier (Knight) of the French Legion of Honour on 15 August 1851, the first woman to receive that honor.

[8][9] The first request on her behalf, filed by marshal Sérurier in 1804, had not been granted.

During her decoration, she was recognized for serving for seven years, fighting in seven campaigns, and being wounded three times.