The monument Vertieres is located on the Route National Highway # 1 which connects Cap Hatien to Gonaives. It is a few kilometers from the town center. On arriving at the site, you will see a large open park area which is very popular with locals. To the left of this area is a white columnar shaped monument. A beige plaque on this structure states, “to the glorious dead of the day of Vertieres – the grateful homeland”. This monument was dedicated in 1929, to celebrate the 126th anniversary of the battle. At the top of the monument is the Hatian coat of arms, which shows a palm tree topped by a Phrygian cap. There are three spears on either side of the tree, and canons pointing in both directions.
The main monument is on a slight rise overlooking the square. Large bold letters state the name of the battle and the date i.e. 18 November 1803. Above this area is a whitewashed rock sculpture with seven bronze figures. These figures are the local heroes of the battle, and I thought included, Jean Jacques Dessalines, François Capois, Jean-Philippe Daut, Benjamin Noel, General Gabart and General Clervaux. One of the figures is a lady who is grieving for a fallen soldier. All figures are looking towards the sky, perhaps saying a final word for the fallen. The soldier on the right has a flag in hand and is saluting.
There are three plaques on the stone sculpture. The first states the initial construction and dedication of the monument in 1953 on the 150th anniversary (1803-1953) of the battle. The second relates to it’s restoration and celebration of the 180th anniversary of the battle (1803-2003). It also states that the renovation is in homage to the Founding Fathers of the Fatherland. The third plaque states “To the honour and glory, and to us their worthy sons and daughters” – Respect, Restitution and Reparation. All plaques were a little difficult to read as they were stained with whitewash. It would be a simple task to clean the plaques, and we hope that this is done in the near future.
The battle story is well known in Haiti for the bravery of François Capois who led the charge against the remaining French soldiers (approx 5,000) in Cap Hatien. Fort Vertières was the last French stronghold on the island. The French were led by General Rochambeau, and the slave army by Jean Jacques Dessalines. Capois led four unsuccessful assaults on the fortress, and his horse was shot during the last assault. He continued fighting, and the French general was so impressed by his bravery that he asked for a cessation of fire to provide a replacement horse to Capois.
Dessalines sent reinforcements in the afternoon, and by the end of the day, most of the French defenders had fallen in battle or were injured. Their surrender was accepted the following morning by Dessalines, and the French were given 10 days to leave the island. Independence was announced by Dessalines, six (6) weeks later in Gonaives. November 18th is remembered annually in Haiti, as “Victory Day”.