 The fleet, strong of four ships of line; HMS "Europa", "Belliqueux", "Irresistible" and "Scepter", accompanied by a few frigates, corvettes and bricks was commanded by Admiral Ford and carries 1 465 soldiers under Brigadier-General John Whyte.Port-Républicain had only 800 soldiers to defend itself under the command of Hugues Brisset de Montbrun de Pomarède.The latter, however, did not have the trust of Sonthonax and Polverel, so he was replaced by Martial Besse, a man of color.