When Dumas was 14, his father sold him. He was sold to a French captain who then took him from Haiti to mainland France. Once in France, his father bought him back, & because slavery was outlawed in France, Dumas was freed. #Thread 
In France,He lived the privileged life of a nobleman’s kid. At the age of 22,Dumas was attacked by a white French officer who tried to “tried to force him to kneel before his attacker and beg for his freedom.” If I had to guess,I’d say that this was a stark reminder to the young
Dumas that he was still a black man in a white man’s world.
At age 24, He joined the French Army. Due to his noble birth,he qualified for an automatic officer’s commission but, due to his black skin, he was denied that honor. He was forced to enlist as a private.
At age 24, He joined the French Army. Due to his noble birth,he qualified for an automatic officer’s commission but, due to his black skin, he was denied that honor. He was forced to enlist as a private.
His father, embarrassed by his son’s low military status, insisted that He takes a nom-de-guerre. That was how He abandoned his noble father’s name and took his mother’s name, Dumas. At age 30, he was placed as 2nd-in-command to a French legion composed of free men of color.
At the age of 31, he was promoted three times in the same year.
In the winter of 1796, He had a disagreement over pillaging with Napoleon Bonaparte which resulted in him being OMITTED from battlefield reports. Later, He was demoted.
In the winter of 1796, He had a disagreement over pillaging with Napoleon Bonaparte which resulted in him being OMITTED from battlefield reports. Later, He was demoted.
2 years later, he was appointed Commander of the Cavalry in the “Army of the Orient” which meant the French army in Egypt. He must have been attempting to mend his relationship with Napoleon when he turned over a cache of gold and jewels found in Egypt.
Also, He sacked a stronghold at Al-Azhar Mosque. Napoleon commissioned a painting of the taking of the mosque. The figure at the center of the painting is a white man.
While returning to France, his ship was damaged, and he was forced to land in Naples.
While returning to France, his ship was damaged, and he was forced to land in Naples.
Naples just so happened to be at war with France.
For 2 years, he was imprisoned in Naples. Napoleon was unconcerned. He was freed when French forces conquered Naples. By this time, he was blind in 1 eye and partially paralyzed due to the prison.
For 2 years, he was imprisoned in Naples. Napoleon was unconcerned. He was freed when French forces conquered Naples. By this time, he was blind in 1 eye and partially paralyzed due to the prison.
After returning to France, Dumas and his family sank into poverty. Napoleon denied his pension. At his death his widow never received her pension.
Follow @Africa_Archives
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
