1812 (The Moral Superiority of the Royal Army): The royal army’s victory at l’Artibonite was characterized in the papers as a triumph of “duty and order” ove…
1812 (The Moral Superiority of the Royal Army): The royal army’s victory at l’Artibonite was characterized in the papers as a triumph of “duty and order” over the chaos of the southern insurrection. King Henry Christophe’s troops were praised for their “brilliant valour” and their ability to execute “vast combinations” of military strategy under pressure. In contrast, the rebel forces were depicted as a disorganized mass that fled at the first sight of the royal horse guards, abandoning their dignity along with their baggage. The “wall of brass” encountered by Lamarre served as a metaphor for the unbreakable spirit of the soldiers who remained loyal to the crown. This military narrative reinforced the idea that the monarchy was the only power capable of protecting the independence of the African race.