Desrance was arrested at Roche-Blanche.

The cunning Desrance had taken good care not to go to Frère at the invitation made to him. But some of his people having been ill-treated by soldiers of the 4th, on 7 messidor (26 June) he comes down from his camp of Pernier, followed by few men, and comes to Caradeux-Roche-Blanche, with the intention, no doubt, of lodging a complaint. He had scarcely reached this plantation when word came to him of the approach of a numerous body of troops; it was brigade commander Guerrier, battalion commanders Lestrades, Larose-Décrabon (1) and Jeannot Millien who, knowing of his arrival at Roche-Blanche, were coming to arrest him. Desrance, ever suspicious, orders Isidore, his servant, to saddle his horse: “But,” it was pointed out to him, “it is commandant Décrabon who is at the head of these people.” At the name of his former lieutenant, in whom he had great confidence, and who, nevertheless, had been won over by Dessalines, he countermands the order. Larose then advances toward him, confirms to him the departure of Dessalines for Léogane, and invites him to inspect the troops, which were already drawn up in line of battle in the savanna.

Desrance, suspecting no treachery, accepts this invitation. Richly dressed, as was his custom, with hat, dolman and belt all trimmed with braid, he comes out of the large hut and begins the inspection. On reaching the second rank, the bayonets cross; he is told that he is a prisoner. A captain Cothias seizes him and has him bound. His following, terrified, scatters; but a few moments later it goes over to Guerrier (2).