François Capois, “Capois-la-Mort”

François Capois was an officer of the revolutionary army, known for a courage so reckless that his soldiers called him Capois-la-Mort, Capois-Death.

At the Battle of Vertières, on 18 November 1803, he led charge after charge against the French fort. A cannonball killed his horse. He got up and ran forward on foot. Another shot carried off his hat. He kept shouting “Forward!” The French commander, Rochambeau, is said to have stopped the fighting for a moment to send an officer to salute his bravery. Capois was killed in 1806.

Achievements

• Led the assault at Vertières, the last great battle of the revolution.
• Earned the salute of the enemy commander on the battlefield.
• Remains Haiti’s model of courage under fire.