CHÂLONS
CHÂLONS IN THE SIXTH CENTURY
ORIGIN AND CHIEF HISTORICAL FACTS
Châlons is of very ancient origin and was in the third century the capital of the "Catalauni." In that part of the Plain of Champagne which surrounds it, known as "the Catalaunian Fields," numerous invasions were brought to nothing. The invasion of 1914 recalled the epoch of Attila's Huns, who were beaten here in 451 by the Roman General Actius; Merovic, King of the Franks; and Theodoric, King of the Visigoths. It is between Châlons and Troyes, rather nearer the latter town, that the most eminent authorities assume this great victory over barbarism to have taken place.
Up to the eighteenth century the bishopric of Châlons was one of the most important in France.
CHÂLONS IN 1914
The town, which had been evacuated by three-quarters of its inhabitants, received a few shells on September 4. Some of the stained glass windows of the cathedral were smashed; a part of the roof of the Hôtel-Dieu was broken in, and the children's ward, which was fortunately empty, received a 4·2 shell.
Saxon troops entered the town at 4 p.m., and the Mayor, M. Bernard, having left, M. Servas—his deputy—took over the direction of municipal affairs. The bishop, Mgr. Tissier, and the Abbé Laisnez, his chaplain, were equally heroic during these tragic times. A contribution of £1,200,000 was demanded for the Department of the Marne by the Germans. Mgr. Tissier was able to persuade them to lower it to £20,000 for Châlons.
From September 7 to 11, great numbers of German wounded came in, and were treated in the military hospital, the Hôtel-Dieu, the town-hall, and, when these overflowed, in the barracks, the college, and even in private houses. On September 11 the Saxon troops left the town hurriedly, and on the 12th the French re-took possession.