Overview:
On Nov. 18, residents of Port-de-Paix— Haiti’s Northwest capital metropolis—commemorated the Battle of Vertières, honoring Common François Capois, principally known as Capois-La-Mort for Capois Dying, a local hero who led the cost in opposition to Napoleon’s forces within the area and helped defeat them to safe Haiti’s independence.
PORT-DE-PAIX — Amid a resurgence of armed gang violence and an exacerbated insecurity local weather, Nov. 18, a pivotal date in Haiti’s historical past, was neglected by the nation’s central authorities authorities. In response, residents of the Northwest Division honored François Capois — a son of the town extensively often called Capois-La-Mort or Capois Dying for his illustrious prowess in opposition to the French colonial arm. Capois performed an important position within the last battle in a 12-year struggle for liberation, often called the Bataille de Vertières, the place the indigenous military defeated Napoleon’s forces and secured Haiti’s freedom from colonial rule.
Whereas state leaders in Port-au-Prince and different areas failed to arrange significant commemorations, many in Port-de-Paix, together with youth and youngsters, marched peacefully to honor their nationwide hero, Capois-La-Mort. Residents highlighted his enduring legacy and used the event to criticize present leaders for his or her inaction amidst Haiti’s ongoing crises.
Dieunet Méprilus, 28, feels Haitians have to be impressed by Capois’ spirit to steer the nation from the present disaster.
“I wish to have the power and willpower of Common Capois to win the battle for the liberation of this nation,” Méprilus, a bike taxi driver, mentioned, rebuking the nation’s leaders.
“We have to take it again from the arms of in the present day’s depraved, incompetent and dishonest chief.”
Meet Capois-La-Mort, one of many Haitian heroes who triumphed over Napoléon’s highly effective military
In keeping with the historic data, François Capois was born in 1766 in Delaunay, Chansolme, within the district of Port-de-Paix. A fearless officer in Haiti’s native military, he performed a pivotal position within the Haitian Revolution earlier than being assassinated on October 19, 1806, on the orders of Henri Christophe close to Limonade, just a few miles south of Cap-Haïtien.
His bravery was immortalized through the Battle of Vertières on November 18, 1803 — the ultimate engagement of the Haitian Revolution. This important conflict fought close to Cap-Haïtien, noticed Haitian forces underneath Common Jean-Jacques Dessalines face off in opposition to the French military commanded by Common Rochambeau. Capois’s indomitable braveness through the battle solidified his legacy as one among Haiti’s biggest heroes.
At 27, Capois started his army profession underneath Colonel Maurepas, shortly incomes admiration for his ability and fearlessness. Rising by way of the ranks from lieutenant to captain, his defining second got here through the Battle of Vertières.
Within the warmth of the battle, as Capois led an assault on the French place, a cannonball knocked him from his horse. Undeterred, he rose to his ft, rallied his males, and shouted, “Go ahead! Go forward!.” His relentless cost was instrumental in Haiti’s victory, ending French makes an attempt to retake the colony and securing Haiti’s independence.
Regardless of Capois-La-Mort’s monumental contributions to Haiti’s liberation, historians and leaders have typically neglected his legacy. Residents of Port-de-Paix, nevertheless, refused to let his reminiscence fade.
This yr, the Shekinah Institute, an area Ok-7 non-public faculty, led the celebrations in collaboration with dad and mom, lecturers and college students. The establishment organized a march that featured lots of of members who laid a wreath at Capois’s monument in Trois-Rivières.
Marie Eliane Benoit-Gêne, director of the Shekinah Institute, criticized the federal government for neglecting Nov. 18’s historic significance and Port-de-Paix’s dire state.
“In Haiti, there are individuals who have died however stay alive by way of their contributions, like Common Capois-La-Mort,” she mentioned in a speech through the event. “In the meantime, some residing leaders act like they’re useless.”
She referred to as on Haiti’s youth to rise to the event. “We should combat to rebuild Haiti from its ashes, simply as Capois fought for freedom,” Benoit-Gêne exhorted.
A name for Haiti’s rebirth
Benoit-Gêne and different audio system expressed frustration with present leaders, accusing them of failing to uphold Haiti’s revolutionary spirit.
“Our ancestors gained the best battle for freedom, however in the present day we’re nonetheless at struggle—in opposition to imperialists, unhealthy pals, and corrupt leaders,” she mentioned. “It’s higher to face true enemies than to belief false pals who exploit our misfortunes.”
She added that the neglect of Capois-La-Mort’s birthplace symbolizes the broader disregard for Haiti’s wealthy historical past.
“The birthplace of Capois stays soiled. It doesn’t make us proud as little kids of the Northwest.”
Rachelle Alexis, a 10-year-old scholar from the Shekinah Institute, expressed gratitude for Capois-La-Mort’s sacrifices.
“Due to Common Capois-La-Mort, I’m free regardless of the challenges we face,” she mentioned. We stay an ideal nation as a result of we’ve made historical past that benefited all the world,” she rejoiced.
Newly put in Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé echoed younger Alexis’ sentiment.
Though the federal government didn’t do something vital on the historic day, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé remembered it nonetheless. He profited from the event to name on Haitians to attract inspiration from their ancestors’ sacrifices.
“They gave us a nation based on freedom, justice, and solidarity. In these difficult instances, we should embrace their spirit of sacrifice and unity,” the Haitian PM mentioned.
The Port-au-Prince businessman and politician urged Haitians to rekindle the revolutionary spirit of Vertières.
“Our ancestors, regardless of adversity, united for the upper objective of freedom. It’s our obligation to reignite that unity and overcome in the present day’s difficulties,” Fils-Aimé wrote on X.
“Vertières is an emblem of braveness and bravado, reminding us to ship and win the battles of our time. Viv Ayiti [long live Haiti]!.”