Key Facts
- Dates
- 13–18 March 1844
- Dominican force size
- ~500 troops
- Haitian force size
- ~10,000 troops
- Locations
- Cabeza de Las Marías and Las Hicoteas
- Part of
- Dominican War of Independence (1844–1856)
Strategic Narrative Overview
Between 13 and 18 March 1844, a Dominican force of roughly 500 soldiers from the Army of the South, under General Manuel de Regla Mota, engaged a Haitian army of approximately 10,000 troops commanded by General Souffrand at Cabeza de Las Marías and Las Hicoteas. Vastly outnumbered, the Dominican forces were overwhelmed and routed, retreating toward Azua de Compostela.
01 / The Origins
Following the proclamation of Dominican independence from Haiti on 27 February 1844, the new Dominican Republic faced an immediate military response from Haiti, which had controlled the entire island of Hispaniola since 1822. Haitian authorities dispatched a large southern army to suppress the independence movement, setting the stage for conflict along the southern border near Neyba and Azua de Compostela.
03 / The Outcome
The Dominican troops fled to Azua de Compostela following their defeat, leaving the border region exposed. Despite this early setback, Dominican resistance continued throughout the broader war, which lasted until 1856. The battles underscored the severe disparity in force size that the fledgling Dominican Republic faced in defending its newly declared independence.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
General Souffrand.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Manuel de Regla Mota.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.