They Called Us Brigands: The Saga of St. Lucia's Freedom Fighters [1 ed.] 9768056622, 9789768056627

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/ heSUH of St,Litia t

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By Robert J. Devaux O.B.E.

THEY CALLED US BRIGANDS The Saga of St. Lucia's Freedom Fighters

By ROBERT J. DEVAUX \\ 1997

OBE.

CITATIONS:

Cover: Maureen Devaux.

Illustrations: Philippe de Varreux.

Maps: Duane Marquis, Avery Trim and Davi d McRae.

ISBN # 976-8056-62-2 (pbk)

Correct citation: Devaux, Robert J., They called us Brigands: The Saga of St. Lucia's Freedom Fighters, Optimum Printers Lt d., St. Lucia, xiv + 129pp, Illus., Maps, Index, August 1997,

Sponsored by SUNBILT Limited, St. Lucia.

Printed by Optimum Printers Ltd., P O Box 623, Castr ies, St. Lucia.

© Copyright 1997 by Robert J. Devaux, P.O. Box 525, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies. Tel: 758-452-5761, Fax: 758-453-2366.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CITATIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS LOCATION MAP OF ST. LUCIA FIGURES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I

PRELUDE TO FREEDOM

CHAPTER II

FROM REVOLUTION TO REBELLION

CHAPTER III

THE REIGN OF TERROR

CHAPTER IV

THE BATTLE OF RABOT

CHAPTER V

THE BRIGANDS HAVE THEIR DAY

CHAPTER VI

LIFESTYLE OF THE BRIGANDS

CHAPTER VII

BRIGAND LEGENDS

CHAPTER VIII

BRIGAND SITES IN ST. LUCIA

CHAPTER IX

BRIGAND PLACE NAMES DESCRIBED

APPENDIX A

BRIGANDS CREOLE TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE

APPENDIX B

NATURAL RESOURCES USED BY THE BRIGANDS

REFERENCES GLOSSARY INDEX

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THEY CALLED US BRIGANDS: The Saga of St. Lucia's Freedom Fighters

The black freedom fighters of the Lesser Antilles became known as BRIGANDS during the French Revolution. Their fascinating story has never been writte n, perhaps because they have been dismissed as runaway slaves In a state of insurrection. The author believes that history ha s

been unfair to the Brigands. He’ feels indebted to the Brigands for sparing the life of his great, great, great, grandmother who was left in their care when the rest of the

Devaux family fled to Martinique for safety. His gratitude to the Brigands motivated the author to attempt to exonerate the Brigands from the stigma of their history and present them in a different light, as freedom fighters caught up in a desperate situation. The author used his knowledge of Brigand sites in St. Lucia to construct their complicated lifestyle and understand their difficult situation, while anchoring their saga to the

events of the French Revolution. This story follows the Nég Mawon or Runaway through their struggle for freedom. The author hopes to convert the derogatory label "Brigand" into an honourable name describing the freedom fighters of the Lesser Antilles.

"History is dead until we make it live; but it is the lively interpretation of history that makes

~ (quote from the author).

) k b p ( 2 2 6 6 5 0 8 ISBN # 976-

it interesting"