Georgia

The Georgia panel depicts the Chasseurs Volontaires de Saint-Domingue, the Haitian militia unit that participated in the Battle of Savannah in 1779. The Chasseurs were the largest unit of Black soldiers to participate in the American Revolution.

Over 500 men enlisted from Haiti, then known as the French colony of Saint-Domingue. These troops were recruited out of an effort by the French to support the American colonists in the southern theater of the war. The regiment was made up of both formerly enslaved and free soldiers from all echelons of Saint-Domingue society.

Fought to liberate the city from British occupation, the Siege of Savannah became the second deadliest battle of the American Revolution. While the operation ended in defeat, the Chasseurs are credited with holding back the British army to allow for American and French forces to retreat.

Upon returning home, the Chasseurs Volontaires -- inspired by the ideals their American counterparts had fought for -- are considered to be a major catalyst for the Haitian Revolution of 1791.

According to Haitian legend, a drummer boy at the Battle of Savannah (bottom left), was Henri Christophe, the future leader of independent Haiti.