1915, August–September 26: (They Will Not Disarm: Butler at Gonaïves, Rameau’s Surrender, and the Red Scarves of Ogoun at the Haut-du-Cap): Resistance to Dar…

1915, August–September 26: (They Will Not Disarm: Butler at Gonaïves, Rameau’s Surrender, and the Red Scarves of Ogoun at the Haut-du-Cap): Resistance to Dartiguenave did not initially materialize in his native South — in the North, Northwest, and the Artibonite it was decidedly otherwise. As early as August 8, Livingston reported Bobo and Zamorist Cacos pillaging towns, burning plantations, and murdering peasants, adding gloomily that it was not believed they would disarm. Cole’s mission was to ensure the security of the Cap and pacify as much of the hinterland as his forces permitted — the American plan was to demobilize Cacos willing to be bought out at 100 gourdes for leader and weapon and 15 gourdes for ordinary Caco and weapon, and subdue whatever Cacos remained in the field. Gonaïves was the first trouble spot: beginning a blockade in September, Rameau cut the town water supply and laid siege with 400 Cacos. Major Smedley D. Butler was moved to Gonaïves by gunboat with orders to lift the siege, reopen the water supply, and get trains running down the railroad from Ennery. After an initial clash before dusk on September 20, Butler’s people caught up with Rameau and 500 Cacos at Poteaux — Rameau was glad enough to parley, denying responsibility for anti-American fomentation with the truthful statement that he could not even read the handbills printed up over his name, and wistfully asking if he might be given a portfolio in the new government. Five days later Rameau led another foray, his last: Butler and blue-eyed Lieutenant Vandegrift caught him up the railroad and Rameau was sent south to the newly rehabilitated prison. That same day was a bad one for Americans in the North: on September 26, Cacos caught a Marine platoon at the Haut-du-Cap, and when a second patrol came to the rescue these too were attacked. The Cacos, wearing red scarves of Ogoun, banged away as if the French were coming — after killing two Marines, they retired to their base at Quartier Morin.