The morning of the revolt, a tropical storm battered the island. It was an omen. On that star-filled, moonlit night, drums began to beat throughout the Northern plains. It had begun. Within four hours the northern plains surrounding Cap-Français were engulfed in flames.

Owners and overseers were overwhelmed and became either targets of brutality in retaliation for their treatment of their slaves, or unwitting benefactors for their kindness. Many were murdered, their wives and daughters raped and killed, and children slaughtered. It was a savage outburst of horror and bloodshed—decades of rage finally unleashed all at once. Some owners attempted to defend themselves. Others immediately fled. Few were spared.

Within a week, more than one thousand Whites were killed, and the northern plains were little more than smoldering ruins.

Slaves and Maroons rallied to the banner of the revolution. Of the estimated 170,000 slaves of the North Province, nearly 80,000 had escaped and joined the cause. The generals’ plan and ingenuity proved overwhelmingly effective, and the rookie army quickly set up camps of thousands of dwellings, multiple infirmaries, a civil government, fields of crops and supplies. They were well prepared for the siege of Cap-Français.

Meanwhile, Jeannot Bullet became increasingly insubordinate. He exhibited brutality far beyond even what they felt was warranted, torturing prisoners for his own enjoyment; hanging those he captured by hooks under their chins, and personally putting out their eyes with red-hot pincers. His men feared him, and this seemed to give Bullet even more confidence and strength, only matched by his contempt for his fellow leaders.

The revolution had begun. However, the other generals would soon reach an inevitable conclusion; Bullet must be eliminated.