The Battle of Cameron

On April 29, 1863, to accompany the convoy from Veracruz to Pueblo with siege equipment, ammunition and money, the 3rd company of the 1st battalion of the Foreign Regiment was allocated from the French Expeditionary Force in Mexico .

Since all the full-time officers of this company were ill, captain Danju , a veteran of the Legion who lost his left hand as a result of a gun explosion during a topographic expedition in Algeria in 1853, took command of the company during the campaign. Jr. Lieutenant Mode and Jr. Lieutenant Vilen followed with him. The company included legionnaires Poles, Germans, Belgians, Italians, Spaniards, French, a total of 65 people. The task of the company was to go ahead along the convoy, explore the area, patrol the approaches to the road, find and disperse the ambushes of the guerrilla guerillos.

By seven o'clock in the morning, cavalrymen of the enemy were seen. From the tops of the surrounding hills, they watched the progress of the legionnaires, without bothering to disguise themselves. The legionnaires passed through a half-destroyed and deserted village (the remains of the hacienda ), bearing the name Camaron. Before reaching Palo Verde, they arranged a halt in a clearing by the stream. Some of the legionnaires were armed, the rest made coffee. At this moment, a pillar of dust was seen over the Chiquihite road, this is the squadron of Cotaxla, two hundred and fifty Mexicans under the command of Don Hilario Ozario. Realizing that in the open area it will be impossible to resist the Mexicans, Danju decides to retreat to the hacienda, which was three kilometers behind. To break away from the enemy, the legionnaires make their way through the dense bush, which impedes the movement of cavalrymen.

As soon as they reached the village, the legionnaires noticed the cavalrymen of Milan, who had prepared for the attack. In an open, flat area, the only way out was to form a square. Elbow to the elbow, ready for volley, the legionnaires let the cavalrymen at a distance of sixty steps. Volley, the attack is repelled. Taking advantage of the confusion in the ranks of the Mexicans, the Danju legionnaires retreat to Camaron. Meanwhile, the Mexicans are ready for another attack, and the legionnaires are forced to form a square again. The second unsuccessful attack of the Mexicans, followed by a counterattack by the legionnaires. Having cleared their way, the legionnaires take refuge in a spacious quadrangular structure, one of the walls of which faces the road to Pueblo. A short moment of respite, the legionnaires are finally in hiding. It is discovered that two mules were lost that carried the entire supply of provisions and cartridges. Thus, the legionnaires had only those cartridges that they carried on themselves.

The legionnaires distributed, barricading the two gates with wooden beams, boards and all kinds of material. Due to the lack of tools, it was not possible to make loopholes in the wall. The situation of the besieged was aggravated by intense heat, but they did not have water or provisions. In such unfavorable conditions, they could last for ten hours against much superior enemy forces.

The dismounted Mexican cavalrymen, armed with sabers, peaks and short carbines without bayonets, could not operate on foot. Colonel Milan, who commanded the Mexicans before the attack, sends his order officer to the besieged with the words: “We are more than 2000, and you are only 60. Put down your arms, you will save your life”. To this, the legionnaires replied that they had enough ammunition and they would not give up. Captain Danju urged his people to fight to the last, after which he was killed on the spot, having received a bullet in his heart. Second Lieutenant Jean Vilen took command. Mexicans constantly attacked.

Three infantry battalions arrived to help the Mexicans. The position of the legionnaires worsened. The Mexicans made holes in the wall and ceiling and through them hit the legionnaires, and then set the building on fire. Junior Lieutenant Vilen dies, the situation becomes unbearable, especially for the wounded. Able to fight legionnaires there are no more than twelve people. The enemy offers them several more times to surrender, but they do not respond.

Soon, Junior Lieutenant Mode turned out to be one with a corporal and three legionnaires. Leaving the shelter, they rush at the Mexicans in a bayonet attack, but, not reaching the enemy, they fall. Fashion received two bullets, despite the self-sacrifice of the legionnaire, who blocked him with his body. Corporal and two legionnaires were injured.

The Mexican Colonel Milan, seeing them, said: “This is all that remains of them. These are not people, but demons, ”after which, struck by their courage, he ordered to heal their wounds and take care of them, showing them military honors.

The survivors demanded (!) The corpse of the commander, flags and a corridor.

Of the 65 people, 3 officers and 49 legionnaires were killed or will die later from wounds. 12 people, almost all wounded, were captured by the Mexicans, four of them will never return. Only one person, Lai drummer, was found alive the next day on the battlefield. Losses of Mexicans: 190-300 people killed, about 300 wounded.

In 1892, a monument was erected at the battlefield, on which a Latin inscription was carved:

“There were fewer than sixty who opposed the whole army. Her mass crushed them. Life rather than courage left these French soldiers on April 30, 1863. ”

• Jean Brunon, Georges Manyu: The History of Elite Troops. Foreign Legion 1831-1955 . Izografus Publishing House, Moscow, 2003
• Erwan Bergot: “La Légion” édition Balland, Paris, 1972

Links

• Official website (fr.)
• Unofficial site (Fr.)