Henri Christophe, the drummer boy in the Haitian Monument in Franklin Square - Savannah GA

The next time you visit the Haitian monument in Franklin Square in Savannah, Georgia, pay close attention. The hatless drummer boy in the monument represents Henri Christophe, the future king of Haiti, who was just 12 when he served in Savannah.

Henri Christophe, a pivotal figure in Haitian history, began his remarkable journey at a young age during the American Revolutionary War. Born in 1767 in Grenada, Christophe later became a key leader in Haiti's fight for independence.

At just 12 years old, he joined the French forces as a drummer boy in Savannah, Georgia, during the Siege of Savannah in 1779. This early exposure to military life and conflict shaped his future as a military leader and statesman.

Christophe would later play a crucial role in Haiti's independence from French colonial rule and was crowned King Henri I of Haiti in 1811.

His legacy remains deeply woven into Haiti's history as a symbol of resilience and leadership during turbulent times.

See a full picture of the Haitian monument in Franklin Square Savannah GA and learn more about it here: Haitian Monument in Franklin Square, Savannah Georgia

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