Rivière de Bayonnais

Petite Rivière de Bayonnais (English: Little Bayonne River) is the third communal section of the City of Gonaïves, located in the Artibonite Department of northern Haiti. It is a historically rich and geographically strategic region that has played a crucial role in the revolutionary and post-revolutionary eras of Haitian history. As of 2015, the population of the section was estimated at 23,160.

Qtr.Petite-Rivière-de-Bayonnais
3e Riv. de Bayonnais
Country	Haiti
Department	Artibonite
Arrondissement	Gonaïves Arrondissement
Area	2.18 km² (.84 mi²) Quartier P.R.Bayonnais 164.98 km² (63.69 mi²) 3e Bayonnais 167.16 km² (71.53 mi²) Total
Population (2015)	2,496 Quartier P.R.Bayonnais 20,654 3e Bayonnais 23,160 Total
Density	1,145 per km² (2,971 per mi²) Quartier P.R. Bayonnais 125 per km² (289 per mi²) 3e Bayonnais 139 per km² (324 per mi²)' Total
Zip Code(s)	HT-4111

About

This communal section encompasses a collection of rural localities, spread over an area of 167 square kilometers (72 square miles), with a population density of approximately 139 inhabitants per km² (289 people per square mile). The central village, Petite Rivière de Bayonnais, is a key administrative and cultural center. The area is known for its rugged terrain, fertile valleys, and its pivotal historical sites such as Fort Bayonnais.

History

Rivière de Bayonnais has been the site of critical military engagements in Haitian history, particularly during the late 18th and 19th centuries

• In 1793, Toussaint Louverture, then aligned with Spain , assigned control of la Coupe-à-Pintade to Saint-Raphaël, underlining its strategic importance.
• In February 1802, as General Leclerc advanced on Gonaïves to suppress the Haitian rebellion, he encountered heavy resistance in Bayonnais. Henri Christophe held the strong defensive positions at Fort Bayonnais and the ravines around la Coupe-à-Pintade, guarding Toussaint Louverture's flank. General Salme's French brigade managed to dislodge Christophe from Bayonnais, but not without loss.
• After being pursued by Hardy , on February 21, Christophe found refuge in Ennery, then moved to defend Bayonnais. From there, he strategically positioned himself to resist against Leclerc's advance on Gonaïves, mirroring the defensive stance previously taken by Toussaint Louverture at Coupe-à-Pintade. The European troops swiftly advanced towards the native fighters. Despite facing intense gunfire, the French soldiers skillfully and agilely climbed the steep slopes of Morne Bayonnais, ultimately reaching the summit. After a fierce battle, General Christophe, who had displayed exceptional bravery by leading from the front, was forced to retreat. Salm's brigade seized a significant amount of booty from the encounter. Christophe regrouped and withdrew to Gonaïves.
• On February 23, 1802, Commander Marinier, a Black officer loyal to Louverture, ambushed the French vanguard near Poteau. His 600 men inflicted serious casualties and temporarily halted Leclerc's progress. The divisions of Desfourneaux and Hardy, advancing from Ennery, had to clear the area, losing around 300 men.
• In 1863, government forces passed through the area en route to the north to confront insurgent leader Salnave.
• In 1888, General Jean Jumeau successfully ambushed Seide Télémaque's forces at Coupe-à-Pintade, further embedding the region in Haiti's turbulent military legacy.

Geography

Located southeast of the Gonaïves urban area, Rivière de Bayonnais shares borders with several neighboring communal sections:

Neighboring sections

Northwest 4e Poteau		Northeast 2e Passe Reine, ENY
West 1re Pont Tamarin	3e R. Bayonnais Gonaïves	East 1reSavane Carrée, ENY
Southwest 1re Lacroix-Perisse, EST	South 3e Ogé, DES	Southeast 7e Marmont, MAM

Its coordinates are approximately 19.4667° N latitude and -72.5833° W longitude. The landscape includes steep mountain passes, elevated ridges, and deep river valleys, with the Bayonnais River cutting through the area. Notable geographical features include the Chemin des Escaliers, a challenging rock-strewn path likened to a staircase, and the surrounding hills of Morne Bayonnais. These natural formations have historically provided both agricultural fertility and military defensibility. The region's climate is tropical, with distinct rainy and dry seasons, and its fertile soils support a wide range of crops.

Section map of 3e Rivière de Bayonnais

Locations

PRB

Annivert, Barrade, Batardo, Bayonnais, Bois Saint-Martin, Bouilli, Cachotte, Ca Lacoupe, Canalle, Castor, Champelot, Chapelet, Chapelle, Cilo, Clavin, Coquillot, Croissy, Danache, Descodes, Docine, Fond-la Coupe, Fond-Morel, Forestier, Foucade, Gasse, Grande-Source, Guibert, Guimbi, Jean Charles, Jean-Nite, Lacet, La Couleuvre, La Coupe Pintade, Lagon-Bazile, La Source, Laurent, Margot, Medecignin, Odigé, Oranger, Petite Rivière Bayonnais, Phaeton, Saint-Martin, Sarazin, Saut-d'Eau, Savane-Pangnol, Savane-Ronde, Seguin, Terre-Rouge, Ti Coupe

Points of Interest

Coupe-à-Pintade

Coupe-à-Pintade (la). Position located near Plaisance. After passing this spot on the plain of Gonaives, you will come across the Chemin des Escaliers. Back in 1863, government troops were stationed here as they marched from Gonaives to the Cape to face Salnave. Then, in August 1888, General Jean Jumeau, who commanded the Gonaives district, surprised Seide Télémaque's troops at Coupe-à-Pintade and defeated them. Jumeau continued to pursue them until he was sure that President Salomon had left the country.

Fort Bayonnais

Fort Bayonnais is situated on the habitation bearing the same name. Positioned on a rocky and inaccessible hill, it is naturally fortified, offering a strategic vantage point overlooking the heights of Ennery, and the Ravine a Couleuvre. General Leclerc remarked in bulletins that the terrain presents numerous challenges, surpassing even what he encountered in the Alps.

References

Brensho Ylus - Local guide [1], May 11, 2024. _{Michael Vedrine is a perfect gentleman.}