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Savannah Monument

A Tribute to Haitian Soldiers for Heroism in the American Revolution

Posted by: Audiegrl

Dedicated to the people of Haiti both in the US and abroad, please except our profound thanks, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you…

Haitian Monument Statue in Franklin Square, Savannah, GA

After 228 years as largely unsung contributors to American independence, Haitian soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War’s bloody siege of Savannah had a monument dedicated in their honor. On October 9, 1779, a force of more than 500 Haitian gens de couleur libre (free men of color) joined American colonists and French troops in an unsuccessful push to drive the British from Savannah in coastal Georgia.

Chairman Daniel Fils-Aime

“We were here in 1779 to help America winindependence. “ said Daniel Fils-Aime, chairman of the Miami-based Haitian American Historical Society. “That recognition is overdue.” “To see a monument in downtown Savannah and the commemoration of the involvement of the Haitian Americans, it’s a dream come true.”said Savannah Mayor Floyd Adams Jr. “This will help educate Americans but also Haitian youth about the significant contribution their ancestors made.” “The role of Haitian soldiers in the battle had long been ignored“, said North Miami Mayor Josaphat Celestin. “It means recognition for our efforts, that we were here all along, that Haiti was a part of the effort to liberate America and that they came here as free men, not as slaves,” Celestin said. “We hope this country will recognize this.”

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“It’s a huge deal,” said Philippe Armand, vice president of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America, who flew to Savannah from the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. “All the Haitians who have gone to school know about it from the history books.”

Though not well known in the U.S., Haiti’s role in the American Revolution is a point of national pride for Haitians.

After returning home from the war, Haitian veterans soon led their own rebellion that won Haiti’s independence from France in 1804.

The Siege of Savannah

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The Siege of Savannah on October 9th, 1779 presents the Revolutionary War as a world conflict more than does any other engagement of the Revolution. The memory of this battle also reminds us of the fact that significant foreign resources of men, money, and material contributed to the eventual success of the cause of American independence. French, Polish, Native Americans, African slaves, free men of African descent, Germans, Hessians, Austrians, Scots, Welsh, Irish, English, Swedish, and American and West Indian colonials also participated as individuals or whole units in this most culturally diverse battle of the war. For six weeks this diverse force was assembled in three armies to contend for the possession of Savannah. This battle resulted in the largest number of casualties the allies suffered in a single engagement.

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The presence of the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue as the largest unit of soldiers of African descent to fight in this war is worthy of commemoration. The fact that their number was made up of free men who volunteered for this expedition is startling to most people and surprising to many historians. Their presence reminds us that men of African heritage were to be found on most battlefields of the Revolution in large numbers. As a new and relatively inexperienced unit, the Chasseurs participated in the siege warfare including the battle of September 24th and the siege of October 9th.

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The Chasseurs Volontaires de Saint-Domingue served as a reserve unit to American and French forces fighting a British contingent. As battered American and French soldiers fell back, the Haitian troops moved in to provide a retreat.

Twenty-five of their number has their names recorded as wounded or killed during the campaign. Over 60 were captured in the fall of Charleston eight months later. The British Navy captured three transports carrying Chasseurs; these soldiers were made prizes of war and sold into slavery. Other members of this unit were kept on duty away from their homes for many months as part of French garrison forces. A subsequent unit of Haitians was a part of the French and Spanish campaign against Pensacola where they faced some of the same regiments of British troops that their comrades faced in Savannah.

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The efforts of Haiti to secure its independence from colonial rule beginning in 1791 are remarkable for the fact that what began as a slave revolt was to ultimately succeed in prevailing over the resources of the French Empire and to form a government of Western Hemisphere Africans. Haiti, much smaller in population than the United States, was attacked by armies as large as those sent against America by Britain. The Haitian victory over the legions of Napoleon was achieved with much less foreign assistance than the United States enjoyed.

Henri Christophe, Click to enlarge

Many key figures in the Haitian War of Independence gained military experience and political insights through their participation in Savannah — most notablyHenri Christophe, a youth at the time but in his adult years a general of Haitian armies and king of his nation for fourteen years. Many of the Haitian soldiers later fought to win their country’s own war of independence, crediting their military experience in Savannah. Influenced by both the events of the American Revolution and the rhetoric of the French Revolution, the people of Haiti began a struggle for self-government and liberty. The first nation in the Western Hemisphere to form a government led by people of African descent, it was also the first nation to renounce slavery.

Sources: Haitian American Historical Society, We Haitians United We Stand For Democracy, Wikipedia, and the Associated Press. 

Contact: e-mail WhygeorgesS@aol.com   NY, USA

HISTORY OF HAITI

HISTORY OF HAITI The first inhabitants of the island of Haiti (Ayiti) were the Arawaks, theTainos, the Caribs and the Ciboneys. In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived with the Spanish expedition and introduced slavery to the Caribbean. In 1503 the Spanish brought the first enslaved Africans to the Caribbean region after the Indians were decimated due to diseases and hard labor imposed upon them by the colonists. Haitian Revolution - The Haitians produced the world's only successful slave revolution in 1791. A revolution that led to their independence in 1804. From 1804 to present, there have been Haitian King, Emperors and Presidents. After suffering cruel, inhuman and barbaric treatment in the hands of their oppressors, the Haitians rose up and fought bloody battles to defeat colonialism and imperialism. Toussaint Louverture defeated the Spanish, the British, and the French (Napoleonic army). The Haitians gained their freedom through self-determination. The Haitians are strong, proud and resilient people. They produced amazing accomplishment during the time of slavery by leaving their indelible imprints profoundly inscribed in the annals of world history. In January 1804, they declared their independence. In the 18th century, the Atlantic stage was shared with three democratic revolutions: the American Revolution (1776), the French Revolution (1789) and the Haitian Revolution 1791-1804). In 1804, the Haitians accomplished the unthinkable and shocked the world when they declared their independence after defeating the troops of Napoleon to create the world's First Black Republic. As a result, Haiti was to be shunned by much of the international community and this attitude can still be felt today. Madison and Monroe were not any different. When the independence of Haiti was debated again in the U.S. Senate in 1820, the Southern Senators voted against the recognition of Haiti's independence. Their rationalization was that they could not recognize a Republic created by black slaves who rose up to defeat the white slaveholders. In 1774, Jean-Baptiste Point Du Sable, founded the City of Chicago. In 1779, The Haitian saved U.S. revolution in Savannah, Georgia when the American troops were almost annihilated by the British. The first ornithologist in the U.S. was the Haitian born John James Audubon (April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851). 1803 - The Louisiana Purchase was facilitated by the Haitians, who defeated the Napoleonic troops in Haiti, and therefore, discouraged the French from pursuing their quest to gain control of the U.S. The French sold Louisiana to the Americans for almost pennies. Many historians consider The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 a gift from Haiti to the U.S. The Haitians continued to help to spread the contagious seeds of freedom across the world. In 1813 and 1815, the Haitians helped Simon Bolivar and Francisco Miranda in the fights for the independence of Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. In 1820, Haiti assisted Greece during its struggle for independence against Turkey. It was until 1862 that the U.S. (Abraham Lincoln) recognized Haiti; while the French Revolution was welcomed by the U.S. Frederick Douglas said, in one of his speeches in 1893 "The freedom that has come to the colored race is largely due to the brave stand taken by the sons of Haiti". He was sent to Haiti as Consul and was the first African American to be appointed as consul and to hold such a prestigious position. The Founders of the First Black Republic were: General Toussaint Louverture, the genius; Emperor Jean Jacques Dessalines; King Henri I (Henri Christophe) and General Alexandre Petion. Toussaint Louverture claimed a Universal Human Right to Freedom and Citizenship for all slaves and former slaves.

What you should know, Did you know Mario Elie is Haitian?

Elie, who is of Haitian heritage, grew up in New York City. He was named "Mario" for opera singer Mario Lanza. His father died after Elie graduated from college. He had a brother named Clark, an amateur basketball player who died in a car accident in October 2009. He also has a sister named Nancy.

Elie attended Power Memorial Academy (same high school as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), where he was a teammate of Chris Mullin under coach Steve Donohue. Elie played street ball in Central Park and other locations in New York City during the 1980s, trying and failing several times to get into the NBA. His nickname on the New York playgrounds was "The Jedi".

He played college basketball at American International College in Springfield, MA. Though Elie led AIC to their conference's first NCAA Division II Tournament Quarter-Final, he was at first overlooked by NBA teams.^[1] Elie was selected with the 160th pick (out of 162 total) in the 1985 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.^[2] However, he was waived by the Bucks less than two months later.^[3] He was also on the pre-season roster for the 1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers, but was waived before the season started.^[3]

Eventually he played in Europe, most notably in the Portuguese League with the Ovarense Aerosoles, then in the World Basketball League, and also spent two years in theContinental Basketball Association with the Albany Patroons. In 1987 he played for Dart Killester in Ireland. He also played in the Argentine League, for Unión de Santa Fe.^[4]

President Martelly is trying to help the Country

It is true President Michel Martelly takes over the country with good intention but it's not what he thought, it's a lot more harder to work with the opposition. The President himself knows he didn't have the majority he needed to achieve his goals. The way he treats the senators the deputies clearly they not happy with the President. It is best for Haiti for them to find a way to work together, because after all is the poorest ones who will suffer. Some of them they see their pocket first before they see their Country. We must be the first one to start working to change our Country not the strangers, there are certain things we can do ourselves but we don't. There are talking the President has double nationalities even if it is true or not let the President finish his term then replace him. When he was campaigning for President people were talking about that but they didn't do nothing to stop him.. this is my opinion   

we strong

The only hope we have is God, don't believe anyone who will fool you. I love my country any possible way I can help I will do so. You may not know the ones who are in a position to help they don't, it is time for us to come strong my brothers and sisters.

we can

Yes we can for a better country