Rebel column under Jasmin confronts Papailler at Saint Michel

On 16 May 1865, a column of the rebels of the Cap, commanded by General Jasmin, presented itself before the village and sent to General Papailler, commandant of the arrondissement, an invitation to join the insurrection inaugurated at Ouanaminthe by Salnave on 7 May against President Geffrard. General Papailler, who for some days had expected an attack on their part, and who had not yet, on the date of the 16th, received the reinforcements he had requested from Gonaives, answered this invitation by withdrawing from the village in good order and going to take position at the place called la Redoute, situated at a short distance, on the other side of the river. The entire population followed him there. The column of rebels entered the deserted village. But hardly had it done so when a considerable part of the insurgents, abandoning General Jasmin, rallied to General Papailler with the cries of: Long live President Geffrard! Following this defection, and in the face of the hostile attitude of the inhabitants, the chief of the rebels beat a retreat. General Papailler then resumed…

Rouzier tells this under the entry ST. MICHEL du NORD ou de l’ATALAYE.