Battle of Santiago (1844)

Battle of Santiago
Part of the Dominican War of Independence
Date 30 March 1844 Location Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago Province Result Dominican victory
Belligerents
Dominican Republic	Haiti
Commanders and leaders
Gen. José María Imbert Col. Pedro Eugenio Pelletier	Gen. Jean-Louis Pierrot Gen. St.-Louis
Strength
400 infantry 100 cavalry 3 cannons 3 forts	10,000
Casualties and losses
1 wounded	600+ killed

The Battle of Santiago was the second major battle of the Dominican War of Independence and was fought on the 30 March 1844, at Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago Province. Although outnumbered, Dominican troops, part of the Army of The North and led by General José María Imbert, defeated Haitian Army troops led by General Jean-Louis Pierrot.

Predule

General Matías Ramón Mella

In the meanwhile, the Dominicans were in the process of raising money to purchase weapons for the army. Donations from wealthy people in Santo Domingo also added to the funding. In Santiago, many figures joined in on the cause, such as Pedro de Mena, Ángel Daniel, Juan Luis Bido, and Ramón Bidó.

The hero, Matias Ramon Mella, in addition to taking part in the fund raising, embarked on a mission to enlist troops for the Libertion Army. He was stationed in Santiago when all of a sudden, news arrived from Cap-Haitian that an invading force, led by Jean-Louis Pierrot, was heading towards the city. In a panic, he left the Cibao to warn his comrades of the invasion, leaving the defenses in the hands of lieutenant José María Imbert. He took precautions to prepare the city for combat; he built moats and even built forts, named after the national slogan Dios, Patria y Libertad across it.

Meanwhile, Colonel Ramón Santana, stationed in Baní sent reinforcements, while General Francisco Antonio Salcedo was advancing to Talanquera and Escalante, with the purpose of luring the Haitians to Santiago. Due to this, however, Pierrot swept through Montecristi, and captured Dajabón. Four days later, Pierrot divided his troops into colomns of 2,000 men.

The Battle

Finally, on March 30, Pierrot was now in the city of Santiago. Upon arrival, the Haitians attacked, but were immediately countered by Imbert and Commander Achilles Michel at forts. The Haitians counterattacked, but were quickly repulsed by Dominican artillery and riflemen led by Fernando Valerio. In a desperate move, the Haitians tried to repel off the atrack, but were unable to withstand the cannons and were defeated. After suffering heavy losses, Pierrot was forced to retreat, securing Dominican victory once again.

Bibliography

• Authors, Multiple (2013). Imperial Wars 1815–1914. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 9781782741251.

See also

• Battle of Cabeza de Las Marías
• Battle of Azua
• Battle of El Memiso
• Battle of Tortuguero
• Battle of Estrelleta
• Battle of Beler
• Battle of El Número
• Battle of Las Carreras