S100USSAINT L'OUVERTURE. 305

 this manoeuire, to slacken my march in order to send in ad-
 vance the prisoners taken at La Croix, and the wounded to
 Petite Rivibre; and I determined to proceed there myself
 When we reached Couriotte, in the plain, I left my troops
 there, and went in advance alone. I found all the country
 aban ned.
 I received a letter from Gen. Desalines, informing me that,
 having learned that the Cahos was to be attacked, he had gone
 to defend it. I sent an ordvr to him to join me at once. I
 caused the ammunition and provisions which I had with me to
 be put in Fort L'Ouverture at the Crete-4Pierrot. I ordered
 Gen. Vernet to procure vessels which would contain water
 enough to last the garrison during a siege. On the arrival of
 Gen. Dessalines, I ordered him to take command of the fort
 and delfnd it to the last extremity.
 For this purpose I left him half of my guards with the chief-
* of-brigade, Magny, and my two squadrons. I charged him not to
 allow Gen. Vernet to be exposed to fire, but to let him remain in
 a safe place to superintend the making o' cartridges. Finally, I
 told Gen. Dessalines that while Gen. Leclerc was attacking this
 place, I should go into the Northern part, make a diversion,
 and retake the different places which had been seized; by
 this manneuvre, I should force the general to retrace his steps
 and make arrangements with me to preserve this beautiful
 colony to the Government.
 Having given these orders, I took six companies of grenadiers
 commanded by Gabart, chief of the tburth demi-brigade, and
 Pourcely, the chief-or-battalion, and marched upon Ennery. I
 found there a proclamation of Gen. Leclerc, pronouncing me
 an outlaw. Confident that I had done no wrong with which
 to reproach myself that all the disorder which prevailed in the
 Country had been o,-.asioned by Gen. Leclere; believing my-
 self, besides, the legitimate commander of the island,-- re-
 futed his proclamation and declared him to be outlawed. With-
 out loss of tim, I r.-umed my march and recaptured, without
 violence, St Mi. hel.1, St. Raphael, Dundon, and Marmclade. In