Abdelkader ibn Muhieddine is defeated at the…
August 1844 CE
The fighting in Algeria, renewed in late 1839, had remained bogged down until General Thomas Robert Bugeaud returned to Algeria, this time as governor-general, in February 1841.
Abdelkader had originally been encouraged to hear that Bugeaud, the promoter of the Treaty of Tafna, was returning; but this time Bugeaud's tactics are radically different.
This time, his approach is one of annihilation, with the conquest of Algeria as the endgame.
Abdelkader is effective at using guerrilla warfare and for a decade, up until 1842, scores many victories.
He often signs tactical truces with the French, but these do not last.
His power base is in the western part of Algeria, where he is successful in uniting the tribes against the French.
He is noted for his chivalry; on one occasion he releases his French captives simply because he has insufficient food to feed them.
Throughout this period, Abdelkader demonstrates political and military leadership and acts as a capable administrator and a persuasive orator.
His fervent faith in the doctrines of Islam is unquestioned.
Until the beginning of 1842 the struggle has gone in his favor; however, the resistance is put down by Marshal Bugeaud, due to Bugeaud's adaptation to the guerilla tactics employed by Abdelkader.
Abdelkader strikes fast and disappear into the terrain with light infantry; however, the French increase their mobility.
The French armies brutally suppress the native population and practice a scorched earth policy in the countryside to force the residents to starve so as to desert their leader.
By 1841, his fortifications had all but been destroyed and he had been forced to wander the interior of the Oran.
In 1842, he had lost control of Tlemcen and his lines of communications with Morocco were not effective.
He is able to cross the border into Morocco for a respite, but the French defeat the Moroccans at the Battle of Isly.
Bugeaud, attempting to complete the French conquest of Algeria, had instigated the battle without a declaration of war in order to force negotiations concerning Moroccan support for the Algerian resistance leader to conclude on terms favorable to the French.
Bugeaud, who recovers the Moroccan commander's tent and umbrella (equivalent to capturing a military standard in European warfare), is made Duke of Isly for his victory.
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