What were the varying levels of treatment of captured whites in insurgent camps at the start of slave revolution in Haiti?
In the Camps of the Insurgents (1791) primary source document of Gros, a detailed account of his time spent as a prisoner held by rebel slaves. He explains, the whites that had been captured were chained and marched away from their burning houses and were executed two-by-two every twenty-four hours by the orders of Jeannot, a high-ranking insurgency leader. However, Jean-Francois, a general in chief with greater humility, was tired of the countless cruelties inflicted under the leadership of Jeannot, and had the man executed by firing squad. Jean-Francois visited the traumatized group of soldiers and set them free and vowed them safety. Despite Francois’ good will, the men were again thrown in chains until another man came to their aid and complained to central camp commander, which led to their release again. They were then escorted to an insurgent headquarters and kindly welcomed and fed by a lieutenant Jean-Louis who was proud of his civility. Louis would intimidate other chiefs toward peace, threatening them with all his might if they did not stop the terrible atrocities being inflicted upon whites. This passage shows the humility that existed in this time of violence and revolt. Many insurrection leaders sought a peaceful solution to the conflict that was bringing so much death and destruction to Haiti.