Chapter 636: The Rebels' Counterattack
Brand's expedition to the Caribbean seemed destined to face setbacks.
Unlike in Jamaica, he couldn't even secure a decisive victory in Nassau. Before his forces could land, the abolitionist rebels attacking Nassau swiftly retreated.
In Jamaica, Brand had managed to corner Auriole's forces largely due to sheer luck. The British fleet had unexpectedly stopped at Dominica for resupply, deviating from its usual route. This caught the "Special Trade Association" by surprise, and their informants failed to detect the fleet in time.
This time, however, the moment Brand's troops began boarding transport ships in Jamaica, messengers from the Bahamian rebels were already en route.
In Nassau, anti-British sentiment was rampant—not only among Black and mixed-race populations but even among white settlers.
Unlike sugar-rich Jamaica, the Bahamas mainly cultivated cotton and maize, yielding far less profit. To maintain colonial revenues, the British government imposed heavy taxes, including the infamous "wheelbarrow tax" and the "wild fruit tax." The latter was particularly egregious for the lower classes, as wild pineapples and coconuts—staples for local diets—had been taxable for over 30 years.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Bahamian abolitionist movement adopted the slogan "Independent Bahamas," garnering widespread support. Many plantation owners, despite risking financial losses from freed slaves, favored breaking free from British colonial rule.
This dynamic allowed the rebels to receive widespread logistical support. Meanwhile, the British Army's movements were no secret—local informants frequently reported their activities to the rebels.
Brand combed the island for over two weeks, only once stumbling upon the main rebel force. After a brief skirmish, the rebels, aided by local guides, slipped away under the cover of darkness.
Trouble Brewing in Barbados
Just as expected, trouble erupted elsewhere.
A month later, the abolitionist forces in Barbados and Dominica announced the formation of a joint assembly, declaring the establishment of the "Windward Islands Republic." The British governor in Bridgetown, overwhelmed by the rebels, retreated into the city and pleaded for Brand's assistance.
Brand, having learned his lesson, left 1,000 soldiers under Colonel Straw's command in the Bahamas and took the main force to Barbados.
With only 2,400 poorly equipped fighters, the Bahamian rebels posed little threat, or so Brand thought.
A New Threat
No sooner had Brand departed than Saint-Domingue's abolitionist forces, led by the young Black officer Toussaint Louverture, made their move. Under the cover of darkness, Louverture's men evaded British patrol ships and landed near Nassau.
The proximity of Saint-Domingue to the Bahamas—just under 60 miles at its closest point—worked in the rebels' favor. Small boats could set sail at dawn and arrive before nightfall. Despite the British fleet's vigilance, the 350-mile-wide waterway left significant gaps in the blockade.
Within a week, nearly 800 soldiers from Saint-Domingue arrived on Nassau's southeastern coast, reinforcing the local abolitionist forces.
Louverture, an exceptional strategist and leader who had risen to the rank of major under Auriole's guidance, was already proving his military genius.
Coordinating the Counteroffensive
At a cotton plantation on Nassau's outskirts, Bahamian rebel commander Kenneth Liddington greeted Louverture with a respectful bow. In halting French, he said:
"Thank you, noble freedom fighter. Your supplies have given us hope. Freedom and equality will prevail!"
Saint-Domingue, now the epicenter of the Caribbean abolitionist movement, had unofficially established French as the lingua franca among rebel groups. British colonial leaders like Liddington were scrambling to learn it.
"Freedom and equality will prevail!" Louverture replied, embracing Liddington. Turning toward Nassau, visible in the moonlight, he said in a raspy voice:
"Commander Liddington, I'm not here just to deliver supplies. I brought a 'gift' for the British."
"A gift?"
"Yes, I brought 800 seasoned soldiers," Louverture replied, patting his sword. "We won't just sit and wait for the British to attack us. There are 1,000 soldiers in Nassau. Let's strike first."
The Ambush
The following noon, the Bahamian rebels launched a sudden assault on Nassau.
Accompanied by drumbeats, over 2,000 Black soldiers advanced from two directions, halting periodically to fire scattered volleys.
Colonel Straw, watching through his spyglass, laughed and said to his aide:
"These Black devils must think General Brand took the entire army. Looks like pacifying the Bahamas will be my triumph."
When the rebels closed to within 150 paces of the British defensive line, Straw ordered the cannons to fire.
Three six-pounder cannonballs ripped through the rebel ranks, scattering limbs and flesh.
Panic rippled through the inexperienced rebel forces. Those near the blasts retreated in terror, while those farther back hesitated before continuing forward, creating chaos in the ranks.
After several more volleys, the rebels on the southern flank began to break.
Through his spyglass, Straw saw the disorder and smirked. Turning to his aide, he said:
"Order the infantry to advance in line formation."
"Yes, sir!"
As expected, the rebels crumbled upon contact with the British infantry.
Panic-stricken Black soldiers screamed as they fled, dropping their weapons. Gunfire from pursuing British soldiers claimed dozens of lives.
Most of the fleeing rebels headed toward an eastern cotton plantation. Frowning, Straw noted that if they reached the plantation, rooting them out would be a laborious task.
He issued new orders:
"Keep the 7th and 11th companies in line formation. All other companies switch to column formation and pursue."
Column formations, while fast for advancing troops, were vulnerable in direct combat. However, the fleeing rebels posed no threat, so speed was prioritized.
As the British troops closed in, nine infantry columns prepared their muskets to finish the rout.
Suddenly, cannon fire erupted from within the cotton fields ahead.
Two iron cannonballs whistled over the heads of the retreating rebels, slamming into the British columns behind them.
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