During the Mexican campaign of 1863, Danjou volunteered to lead a company of 64 men to probe the strength of Mexican forces threatening an important legion convoy. Danjou and his men were searching a ruined hacienda at Camerone when they were ambushed by 2000 Mexican soldiers. Hopelessly outnumbered, the French were given the opportunity to surrender, but the captain refused and instead had each of his men swear to die rather than give up. The men fought bravely against the Mexican charge, but in the end all were killed. The captain's wooden hand, later rescued by comrades from the litter of bodies, was kept in the legion mausoleum in Algeria.
Deeds Are The Measure Of A Man.