General Biassou

In an age shaken by revolutions, the fight for Black freedom stretched across the Caribbean and affected Florida in unexpected ways.

When Haitians revolted against their French colonial rulers in 1791, General Georges Biassou (later Jorge Biassou) emerged as a key leader in the Black Haitian military. Spain, eager to exploit the uprising to weaken its longtime rival, extended an offer of supplies, weapons, and an alliance in exchange for Biassou’s loyalty. He accepted, leading his soldiers under the banner of Spain as the Black Auxiliaries of Carlos IV.

This allegiance, though, came at a cost, putting him at odds with another rising Haitian general, Toussaint Louverture, who ultimately forced Biassou into exile.

Biassou and his Black Auxiliaries emigrated to St. Augustine in 1796. Despite cultural and language barriers, Biassou wasted no time in blending his battle-hardened Haitian veterans with local recruits. Under his command, the militias fought in frontier skirmishes with the Seminoles, proving their skill and adaptability. The Spanish regarded Biassou, who changed his name to Jorge, a hero for successfully strengthening Spain’s defenses by integrating his Haitian fighters with native-born Black militias. He is buried in Tolomato Cemetery in St. Augustine and a sign denotes his home at 42 St. George Street.