In the Battle of Sig (26-27 June 1835), French forces, assisted by the Douair and Smela tribes, fought the

Algerian Algerian may refer to: * Something of, or related to Algeria * Algerian people This article is about the demographic features of the population of Algeria, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, econo ...

resistance led by Emir Abdelkader in the forest of Moulay-Ismaël near

Sig Sig used as a name may refer to: * Sig (given name) *Sig, Algeria, a city on the banks of the Sig River *Sig Alert, an alert for traffic congestion in California, named after Loyd Sigmon *Sig River, a river of Algeria also known as Mekerra sig (l ...

for 2 days. Unable to resist the Algerian assault, the men of General Camille Alphonse Trézel eventually retreated. A second retreat took place at Arzew but Trézel's forces were swiftly overtaken. The Algerian cavalry, faster, more mobile and above all more numerous, blocked the

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

at the

Macta The river Macta is in Algeria. The Macta is only long and, enters the sea in the Gulf of Arzeu, some west of the mouth of the Chelif. It is formed by the Habra ( long) and the Sig ( long), which rise in the Amour Range and flowing north befo ...

. While the Foreign Legion succeeded in containing the attackers and pushing them back, the Algerians continued their attacks. The French forces lost 52 men and 189 were wounded on the first day. The next day, on June 27, the Algerian forces ambushed the French at the Macta marshes which are formed by the confluence of the

and the Habra, between the river and the forest. The heavy wagons of the convoy were destroyed and the injured soldiers from the previous night's battle were slaughtered. The troops were also annihilated. The Foreign Legion stepped in again, freeing the way toward Arzew. The attack by the Algerian horsemen cost the French forces, with 262 men killed and 300 wounded on the second day.

References

Battles involving France Battles involving Algeria French Algeria 1835 in Algeria Conflicts in 1835 19th century in Africa Battles involving the French Foreign Legion June 1835 events {{Africa-hist-stub

See also

References