Alejandro Danel
Alejandro Danel was a French soldier, who served in the Napoleonic Armies, and in Argentina where he took part in the War of Independence and Civil War.Biography
He was born in Arras, northern France, the son of Alexandre Danel and Isabelle Obon, belonging to a family of Flemish descent. In France he fought in the Battle of Paris, where he was wounded, and in Waterloo. He arrived in Argentina in 1815, and shortly after was incorporated into the Army, serving as a lieutenant in the 2° Batallón de Cazadores.
Danel participated in the last military campaigns of the War of Independence, and also took part in the Brazilian War. He served under General Juan Lavalle during the Civil Wars, taking part in Battle of Yeruá, Battle of Don Cristóbal, Battle of Sauce Grande and Battle of Quebracho Herrado.
He fought under the command of General Justo José de Urquiza in the Battle of Caseros, and took part in the defense of Buenos Aires against Hilario Lagos. He also participated in the Battle of Cepeda, serving in the ranks of Bartolomé Mitre.
Colonel Alejandro Danel was in charge of the custody of General Lavalle's body, after he was killed in Jujuy. In 1861, he headed the homage acts in the repatriation of the remains of General Juan Lavalle to the Recoleta Cemetery. At the end of his life he served as Edecan of the Governor of the province of Buenos Aires Mariano Saavedra.
