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20,420
Abibisika (Black Gold) Points
Haitian Memorial Monument, located in Franklin Square in Savannah, Georgia
The images display the Haitian Memorial Monument, located in Franklin Square in Savannah, Georgia. This bronze sculpture and granite pedestal honor “Les Chasseurs Volontaires de Saint Domingue,” a regiment of over 500 free men of African descent from the French colony of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) who fought in the American Revolution.
The Statues
The monument features several life-sized bronze figures sculpted by James R. Mastin in 2007.
* The Drummer: On the left, a young drummer boy represents Henri Christophe. He participated in the Battle of Savannah as a youth and later became a key leader in the Haitian Revolution, eventually serving as the King of Haiti.
* The Soldiers: Four other soldiers are depicted in mid-battle—some standing and firing muskets while others provide cover. One soldier lies wounded on the ground, being assisted by a comrade.
The Inscriptions and Pedestal
The sculptures sit atop a large, octagonal granite base detailed with historical context and names.
* Battle History: The inscriptions describe the Battle of Savannah on October 9, 1779. The regiment distinguished itself by providing critical cover for retreating American and French allies, deterring a British counterattack and saving many lives.
* Legacy: One panel notes that many of these veterans returned home to lead the movement that made Haiti the second nation in the Western Hemisphere to throw off European colonialism.
* Recognition: The monument includes a list of documented soldiers, such as Pierre Astrel and Jean-Baptiste Mars Belley, while also honoring the hundreds of others who remain anonymous.
* Historical Society: A panel identifies this as a project of the Haitian American Historical Society, completed between 2001 and 2007.
