British Expedition to San Dominique/Haiti 1793-1798 (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

Does anyone know which British regiments occupied Haiti during the era of the slave rebellion on the island. Were the troops sent from Jamaica? I know the British were afraid the rebellion might spread to their possessions in the West Indies.
Thanks for any help or suggestions. Visual images would be nice showing uniforms.
Randy

 

[Fort-Stamford]

The only picture I could find showing British troops in Haiti, I believed during the rebellion is rather hazy, and shows a Scottish regiment. Uniforms used by the Haitians were French Empire influence, and acquired from the Spanish in the neighboring Spanish colony on the island of Hispaniola. I thought that the Haitians only fought French Troops for their independence.

 

[marco55]

The British did land troops.The Haitians beat them in 7 battles in 7 days but I could not find which regiments landed there.
Mark

 

[PolarBear]

Thanks guys. This is a tough one since the British aspect of battles on San Dominique do not seem to have gotten a lot of attention. They were there primarily to protect their own interests in the area. The Haitians made history as the first slave colony to free themselves. They defeated Napoleon's army there. This event sent shock waves throughout the cotton plantations in both North and South America for years to come. An excellent book that talks about these fears is Walter Johnson's River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom.

 

[marco55]

I found out that the York Hussars were there.
Mark

 

[Fort-Stamford]

The British did land troops.The Haitians beat them in 7 battles in 7 days but I could not find which regiments landed there.
Mark

Being defeated in 7 battles in 7 days!!! No wonder there is little written on the subject (no regiment wants to put that on their resume). {sm2} Haitians fighting for their freedom, from slavery, and oppression; and knowing their mountainous terrain, plus being accustomed to the tropics would give them a major advantage.

 

[PolarBear]

I found out that the York Hussars were there.
Mark

Thanks Mark.
That is very helpful.
Randy

 

[PolarBear]

For the fun of it I decided to check the Osprey website and found two books that include the British Troops in Haiti including the York Hussars. I will try to find copies of them. Here they are

 

[marco55]

http://www.cariwave.com/regiments_of_the_british_west_indies_and_bermuda.htm

Mark