Battle of Vertières
1803 · Vertières (near Cap-Haïtien, northern Haiti) · World · Modern
Dessalines's army took the outer forts of Cap-Haïtien, and the next day Rochambeau sued for peace and withdrew
Belligerents
Haitian indigenous army
- Commanders
- Dessalines, Capois
- Strength
- c. 20,000 men (accounts vary)
French expeditionary force
- Commanders
- Rochambeau
- Strength
- About 5,000 (accounts vary)
Background
After Toussaint was lured into a trap and arrested, Dessalines and others continued to fight the French expeditionary force; yellow fever greatly weakened the French, and Rochambeau fell back to defend Cap-Haïtien.
Course of the battle
- Encircling Cap-HaïtienDessalines led his army to surround Cap-Haïtien, the last French stronghold
- Storming the fortsThe native army repeatedly charged the fort of Vertières under heavy fire
- Capois's chargeCapois kept leading the charge even after his horse was shot from under him, and (it is said) even the French beat their drums in salute
- French withdrawRochambeau sued for peace and withdrew at the end of November, and on January 1 of the following year Haiti declared independence
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1803 |
|---|---|
| Place | Vertières (near today's Cap-Haïtien, northern Haiti) |
| Result | Dessalines's army took the outer forts of Cap-Haïtien, and the next day Rochambeau sued for peace and withdrew |
| Winner | Haitian indigenous army |
| Casualties | Thousands of casualties on both sides |
| Territorial change | The French withdrew from Saint-Domingue; Haitian independence |
Impact
The Battle of Vertières was the last battle of the Haitian Revolution and the decisive victory by which a slave revolt won independence, unique in history.
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