Fort Sainte-Claire. Sonthonax takes refuge here during Monbrun’s attack.

The civil commissioner did not lose heart; he went on recruiting, from the cultivators of the Cul-de-Sac, the legion of the newly free, or of the Regenerated, which he had formed. He likewise reinforced the 48th regiment, formerly the Artois regiment, commanded by Desfourneaux, who was wholly devoted to his authority. For his part General Monbrun resolved to surprise Desfourneaux with a sudden attack and to destroy entirely the 48th regiment, the only truly formidable corps on which the civil commissioner could count. On 17 March 1794, at eleven o’clock at night, he marched with artillery, at the head of the Legion of the West, against the barracks of the 48th regiment, which was sunk in sleep, and began to sweep them with grapeshot. The white soldiers, though surprised, returned the fire vigorously and held firm until Desfourneaux arrived. He went round the National Palace and made his way to Sonthonax, whose apartments were already receiving a most intense rolling fire. He drew the civil commissioner into the ranks of the 48th regiment and made for Fort Sainte-Claire. As Sonthonax passed near the jail, he ordered the prisoners to be set free, fearing that the white men held there would be massacred.