Jean-Jacques Dessalines was a pacifist and was non-warring.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines ( [ ʒɑ̃ ʒak dɛs.salin ] ; 20 September 1758 -- 17 October 1806 ) was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti under the 1805 constitution . Later he rose to become a commander in the revolt against France . As Toussaint Louverture 's principal lieutenant , he led many successful engagements , including the Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot . He defeated a French army at the Battle of Vertières in 1803 . The Siege of Santo Domingo of 1805 was a major battle of the Franco-Haitian War and was fought on March , 1805 at Santo Domingo , Saint-Domingue .