French garrison of Fort Breda surrenders to Dessalines at Le Cap

BREDA. On 20 November 1803, during the investment of the town of the Cap by the indigènes, at the moment when Rochambeau was capitulating, the French garrison, made up of the 11th light infantry, which occupied Fort Breda, held out firmly there; but, closely surrounded, Rochambeau thought it destroyed. Dessalines, who always admired courage, would not act toward it as a pitiless victor. He sent into the fort an envoy who announced to Commandant Pejot that a treaty had been signed between the French and the indigènes. Pejot replied to Dessalines that he was ready to submit to whatever conditions might be imposed on him; but he asked that the officers of the garrison be permitted to leave the fort with their arms. Dessalines granted him what he had asked. The 11th came out of the fort with flag unfurled. It was at once surrounded and laid down its arms. Dessalines presented himself before Pejot and handed him back his sword, saying to him: “You are a brave man; I cannot take from you this weapon which you have used so gloriously.” He allowed the officers to return to the Cap with…

Rouzier tells this under the entry BREDA.