Profile: Haitians in the American Revolution

Savannah’s Haitian Monument in Franklin Square honors the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue, a regiment of 800 free men of color from present-day Haiti who fought in the 1779 Siege of Savannah during the American Revolution. Photograph. Clio. 

Overview:

The Battle of Savannah in 1779 was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. Among the soldiers who fought against the British were about 800 free men of color from Saint-Domingue, the French colony that later became Haiti. These volunteers served in a military unit known as the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue and fought alongside French and American forces.

Their presence at Savannah was significant. While many Americans picture the battle as being fought mainly by colonial troops, the approximately 800 Haitian volunteers actually outnumbered the roughly 500 American soldiers who took part in the battle. The men of Saint-Domingue were not a small supporting force. They made up one of the largest groups of soldiers of African descent fighting on the American side during the campaign.

The Haitian volunteers played an important role before and during the battle. They served as scouts, gathered information about enemy positions, and fought on the front lines during the attack on British defenses. Many were wounded or killed in the fierce fighting. Although their contributions were overlooked for generations, these soldiers helped advance the cause that led to the creation of the United States. Today, historians recognize the Chasseurs-Volontaires as an important part of Revolutionary War history and a powerful reminder that people of African descent helped shape the nation's founding.

Quick Facts:

• Fought in the American Revolution during the Battle of Savannah in 1779.

• Came from Saint-Domingue, the French colony that later became Haiti.

• Served in a military unit called the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue.

• The were free men of color known as gens de couleur.

• About 800 soldiers from Saint-Domingue participated in the campaign.

• Helped French and American forces fight British troops in Georgia.

• Served as scouts and frontline soldiers during the battle.

• Many were killed or wounded during the assault on Savannah.

• Their contributions were largely overlooked for many years.

• A memorial honoring them was unveiled in Savannah, Georgia, in 2007.

Why This Story Matters:

The Haitian volunteers at Savannah challenge the common belief that the American Revolution was fought only by white colonists. These free men of African and mixed African-European ancestry risked their lives in a battle that helped shape the future of the United States.

Their service also connects American history to the wider Atlantic world. Many of the men who fought at Savannah later witnessed or participated in events that influenced the Haitian Revolution, which created the first independent Black republic in the modern world. Their story shows that people of African descent were active participants in military, political, and social struggles for freedom long before the Civil Rights Movement. Recognizing their contributions helps create a more complete understanding of America's founding.

Legacy:

The Haitian volunteers at Savannah left a legacy that extends far beyond a single battle. Their service demonstrates that people of African descent helped shape the history of the United States from its earliest days. They also represent an important link between the American Revolution and the later Haitian Revolution, which challenged slavery and colonial rule in the Caribbean.

Today, their story broadens our understanding of who participated in the struggle for liberty. Their contributions remind us that America's founding involved people from different backgrounds, races, and nations. Recognizing their role helps restore an important chapter of history that was overlooked for generations.

One of the most important tributes to these soldiers is the Chasseurs-Volontaires Memorial in Savannah, Georgia. Unveiled in 2007, the monument honors the men from Saint-Domingue who fought alongside American and French forces during the Revolutionary War. The memorial brings attention to a chapter of history that was often left out of textbooks. Visitors learn that people of African descent were not only present during the nation's founding but also played an active role in the fight for independence. The monument serves as a lasting reminder of their courage, sacrifice, and contribution to the founding of the United States.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think the contributions of the Haitian soldiers at Savannah were missing from many history books for so long? How might that omission affect the way people understand the American Revolution?

2. The Haitian volunteers fought for a cause that was not taking place in their own colony. What reasons might have motivated them to join the battle, and what does that tell us about ideas of freedom and citizenship?

3. Many Americans learn that the nation's founders and Revolutionary War heroes were mostly white colonists. How does learning about the Chasseurs-Volontaires change or expand that narrative?

Reflection Prompt:

1. The men of Saint-Domingue occupied a unique social position as free people of color living in a society shaped by both racial privilege and racial discrimination. How might their experiences have influenced the way they viewed freedom, equality, and belonging, and what can their story teach us about whose voices are included—or excluded—in the history of a nation? 

Sources & Further Reading:

1. "Haitian Soldiers at the Battle of Savannah (1779)." BlackPast. 

2. Tucker, Phillip Thomas. Brothers in Liberty: The Forgotten Story of the Free Black Haitians Who Fought for American Independence. Stackpole Books, 2023. 

3. Admin, Clio. "Haitian Monument, Savannah – Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue." Clio: Your Guide to History. January 13, 2018. 

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