Napoleon in the Jungle: Part 1
Last month we left Gen. Robert Giglio on his mission to suppress the Haitian slave revolt. Shouldering aside ineffectual opposition near the shores of Lac de Peligre the French column continued northward. Giglio's objective remained the destruction of supplies the insurgents had stockpiled in the towns of Saint-Michael-de-Atalaye, Pignon, and Hinche.
The available French forces were:
- 6th Brigade composed of:
- 14th Fusilere Battalion (Veteran, Steady)
23rd Fusilere Battalion (Veteran, Steady)
9th Leger Battalion (Veteran, Steady).
- 1st Colonial Brigade composed of:
1st Battalion Martinique Gendarme (Green, Steadv)
1st Battalion, Port-au-Prince Militia (Green, Timid)
2nd Battalion, Port-au-Prince Militia (Green, Timid).
- 33rd Foot Artillery Battery, 1 section (Veteran, Timid).
3rd Sqd, 22nd Chasseurs au Chivalle (Veteran, Steady).
In addition he was accompanied by a modest supply train now much encumbered with wounded.
Toussaint trusted Gen. Jaques Thomas with no less than nine battalions of irregulars and two battalions French trained colonial mutineers with orders to crush the French. In his heart burned a fierce determination to keep the flame of liberty alive.
On the first day after the fight at Lac de Peligre the French column covered a leisurely 15 miles and camped near the village Epin. During the night Gen. Giglio was overcome by a sudden illness and as the sun rose over the wooded Haitian uplands Col. Estephan Patek led the column forward. With the 3rd Squadron, 22nd Chasseurs au Chivalle feeling for the enemy, the French began the 1,500 foot climb toward the crest of Mont Couchon. With the ridge in hand they would have an easy descent to Hinche, their first objective. Perhaps giving personal affinity more weight than was prudent, Col. Patek placed his long time friend Col. Jaques du Beurre in command of the rear guard.
At about 4:00 in the afternoon the cavalry came upon a tree felled across the road. Fearing an ambush, Patek sent two battalions of infantry into the wood to the right and another to the left supported by cavalry. While these units were deploying the supply train and artillery moved steadily forward.
It was a fortuitous act of fate which was about to preserve the French from utter destruction. Prior to the encounter two days previous, Thomas had sent an urgent plea to his supporting force to join him. Five battalions of irregulars rushed to the scene of battle but found themselves too late to aid their Haitian comrades. Undeterred they pressed on and would have soon overtaken the rear of the French column undetected. However, Col. Patek from the heights of Mont Couchon, chanced to turned his telescope on the stunning panorama far below and apprehended the danger swiftly approaching. Instantly a courier was dispatched to Col. du Beurre. Inexplicably, though he had ample time to form the supply train into a defensive lager, du Beurre failed to give the order. It is said that when the suggestion was made, he supposed it to be a reference to beer on tap. With the Haitians advancing, he deployed his artillery to the rear of the infantry where in the coming engagement the guns were scarcely to fire a shot. With flanks unsupported, one battalion of regulars and three of under strength malitia stood bravely against the on rushing tide. They were able to drive off the first wave of Haitian irregulars with a succession of withering vollies. But soon the disparity in numbers began to tell. Their flanks turned, the French were driven from the field. Just before being taken by the enemy, du Beurre was seen to shake his fist skyward and declaim to the fates that had abandoned him, "If you had only given me 20 more militia I wouldn't be in this pickle'" What became of Jaques du Beurre after failing into the hands of the Haitians is not known. One tale has it that he became the first field grade zombi. If true, his later career would not have differed noticeably from his earlier exploits.
At the crest of Mont Couchon events were proceeding not unfavorably for the French Col. Patek quickly dispatched skirmishers into the woods to flush out the enemy he correctly suspected to be lurking nearby.
With orders to only delay the Europeans, Bryan le Whitaker, Thomas' trusted lieutenant, commanded the same Haitian units which had been beaten by the French only two days before. The French skirmishers line had advanced scarcely 50 yards when they were met by a veritable avalanche of irregulars. On the left the 53 Leger coolly raised their muskets as one and met their enemy with a volley delivered almost at the point of the bayonet. The irregulars were sent flying. On the fight the Haitians were onto the 23rd Fusileres as they were with difficulty struggling through the undergrowth Yet the disciplined regulars made short work of their opponents who fled in a wild rout. Unknown to the French, two mutineer battalions were forming to deliver a down hill charge but were thrown into considerable confusion by the disordering swarm of routers fleeing through their ranks.
Fortunately for the Mutineers, the French were reluctant to pursue the fleeing irregulars fearing the usual Haitian ambush tactics. After a brief pause the Mutineers regrouped and advanced to trade volley for volley with the French regulars. Col. Patek was seen to note with admiration the manly courage displayed by his opponents. Bringing more of his advance guard to bare on the enemy units now clearly located, his position on the crest of Mont Couchon was secure.
As the sun set over the ridge line, far to the rear a truly shocking sight unfolded. The fleeing French rear guard abandoned the supply train filled with wounded. That so many of the uninjured were able to escape their pursuers was due only to the unrestrained looting and slaughter which continued throughout the night.
Next time will find the French atop Mont Couchon planning their next move.
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© Copyright 1997 Wally Simon
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