Battle of Fort Rivière

Part of the United States occupation of Haiti, First Caco War, Banana Wars

Date	November 17, 1915
Location	Fort Rivière, Haiti
Result	American victory

Belligerents

United States

Cacos

Commanders and leaders

Smedley Butler

Unknown

Strength

76 marines
~20 sailors

~200 infantry
1 fort

Casualties and losses

1 wounded

~71 killed
129 prisoners
1 fort captured

The Battle of Fort Rivière was the most remembered battle of the United States occupation of Haiti in 1915. U.S Marines and sailors fought at Fort Rivière against rebel Cacos.

Fort Rivière was an old masonry fort built atop the steep Montagne Noire by the French in the 18th century. It was held by over 200 Cacos in November 1915 during their rebellion against the Haitian government. No artillery remained at the fort, but the defenders were armed with rifles, machetes, swords, knives and other things. Cacos were described as poor marksmen, so when the U.S. Marine Captain Smedley Butler arrived to take the fort, rebel resistance crumbled. The Captain commanded three 24-man companies of veteran U.S. Marines which he chose himself, along with a few lieutenants and a small detachment of sailors from the battleship USS Connecticut sailing off the coast.

Confident that his force could capture the fort, Smedley Butler prepared his men for battle at about 19:00. The Americans surrounded the fort without raising the alarm and waited for Butler to blow his whistle. At 19:30, Butler blew his whistle and a surprise assault was launched against the fort from the south. Butler and 26 men advanced while the remaining U.S. Marines and sailors provided covering fire. Along the forts southern wall was a small tunnel leading into the fortification. The 26 men advanced and the Cacos opened fire. First Sergeant Ross Iams and Private Samuel Gross, entered the tunnel and went into the fort, followed by Butler carrying his pistol.

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Wikipedia