Dessalines takes Santiago after fighting Sérapio at the Yaque

Emperor Dessalines took possession on 27 February 1805, at nine o’clock in the morning, after giving battle to Sérapio, a Black officer, who wished to oppose the crossing of the Yague by the Haitian army. Christophe entrusted the command of the Department of the Cibao to Colonel Tabarès, and that of the town to Captain Joubert. The Haitian army continued its march and halted on the 27th, at eight o’clock in the evening, on the banks of the Punale river. When the siege of Santo-Domingo was lifted, Christophe set fire with his own hands, on 6 April, to the buildings of this beautiful town.

Rouzier tells this under the entry SANTIAGO de los CABALLEROS.