Natives attack the French at Haut du Cap

In the night of 14 to 15 October 1802, Pétion took up arms against the French at the Haut-du-Cap with the 10th and 13th colonial regiments to cooperate in the War of Independence, and marched on three weak posts occupied by 100 men of white troops. These men, surrounded by 1,800 indigènes, laid down their arms. The indigènes seized a howitzer set up at the Welche bridge and 2 four-pounders. Had Pétion had more confidence in his soldiers, he would have surprised the Cap and would have carried off Leclerc, by the admission of the French generals themselves. The insurgents formed a square, placed in the center their baggage and all the population of the Haut du Cap, and set out toward the Morne Rouge. On the news of this taking up of arms, 400 to 500 indigènes arrested at the Cap by order of Leclerc were stabbed, shot and thrown into the sea. On the morning of 28 October the indigènes attacked the French, overthrew them and held their ground at the Haut du Cap, in spite of the liveliest fire from the forts. D’Henry, gravely wounded, returned to the Cap in disorder at the head of his…

Rouzier tells this under the entry HAUT DU CAP (le).