François-Claude-Amour, Marquis de Bouillé

Governor General of the Antilles (1777-1783), conqueror of Dominica, Tobago and Sint Eustatius

French general and colonial administrator, the Marquis de Bouillé distinguished himself during the Seven Years’ War before being appointed governor of Guadeloupe in 1768. Named Governor General of the French Antilles in 1777, he led France’s Caribbean operations during the American War of Independence, recapturing numerous islands from the British.

  • Born: 19 November 1739, Saint-Èble (Haute-Loire)
  • Died: 14 November 1800, London (Great Britain)
  • Rank: Maréchal de Camp

Governor of Guadeloupe since 1767, the Marquis de Bouillé was appointed Governor General of Martinique on 5 May 1777 and Maréchal de Camp on 27 October 1778. He reorganized the Martinique militia and in 1778 created a unit composed of white, mulatto and free black Martinicans: the “Volontaires de Bouillé,” who proved highly effective against the British.

From July 1778 he served as Governor General of the Windward Islands (Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Lucia). On 6 September 1778, he captured Dominica from the British, in May 1781 Tobago, in November 1781 Sint Eustatius, Saint Martin and Saba, on 13 February 1782 Saint Kitts and Nevis, and finally on 22 February 1782 the island of Montserrat.

See also: The Support of the French Antilles and the Colonial Regiments and Corps.

His successor as Governor of the Antilles was Claude-Charles de Damas de Marillac. A committed Royalist, he was a leading conspirator in the royal family’s failed flight to Varennes in 1791. He died in exile in London in 1800.

Comte Thierry de Seguins-Cohorn, Historian of the Society in France of the SAR

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