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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox Military Conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Isly
| conflict = Battle of Isly
| partof = the [[First Franco-Moroccan War]]
| partof = the [[Franco-Moroccan War]]
| image = [[File:Vernet - Bataille d'Isly - 1846.jpg|300px|Battle of Isly by [[Horace Vernet]]]]
| image = [[File:Vernet - Bataille d'Isly - 1846.jpg|300px|Battle of Isly by [[Horace Vernet]]]]
| caption = ''Battle of Isly'', oil painting by [[Horace Vernet]]
| caption = ''Battle of Isly'', oil painting by [[Horace Vernet]].
| date = 14 August 1844
| date = 14 August 1844
| place = Near [[Oujda]], [[Morocco]]
| place = Near [[Oujda]], [[Morocco]]
| result = French victory
| result = French victory
| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[July Monarchy|France]]
| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[July Monarchy|France]]
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Morocco (1666–1915).svg}} [[Morocco]]
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Morocco (1666–1915).svg}} [[Alawi Sultanate|Morocco]]
| commander1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Thomas Bugeaud]]<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[Joseph Vantini]]
| commander1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} '''[[Thomas Robert Bugeaud]]'''<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[Joseph Vantini]]
| commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Morocco (1666–1915).svg}} [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]]<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Morocco (1666–1915).svg}} [[Muhammad IV of Morocco|Muhammad IV]]
| commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Morocco (1666–1915).svg}} '''[[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]]'''<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Morocco (1666–1915).svg}} [[Muhammad IV of Morocco|Muhammad IV]]
| strength1 = 11,000 soldiers
| strength1 = 10,400 soldiers<ref name="Clodfelter"/>
| strength2 = 45,000 soldiers<ref name="Clodfelter">{{cite book|last=Clodfelter|first=M.|title=Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|year=2017|edition=4th|isbn=978-0-7864-7470-7|pages=199}}</ref>
| strength2 = 20,000–25,000 cavalry
| casualties1 = 27 killed<br />99 wounded<ref>Pierre Montagnon, ''The conquest of Algeria: The seeds of discordie'', 2012.</ref>
| casualties1 = 27 killed<br />99 wounded<ref>Pierre Montagnon, ''The conquest of Algeria: The seeds of discordie'', 2012.</ref>
| casualties2 = 800 killed<br />11 artillery
| casualties2 = 800 killed<br />1,500 wounded<ref name="Clodfelter"/><br>11 artillery
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox First Franco-Moroccan War}}
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox First Franco-Moroccan War}}
| coordinates = {{coord|34|41|24|N|1|55|48|W|map_label=yes}}
| coordinates = {{coord|34|41|24|N|1|55|48|W}}
| map_type = Morocco
| map_type = Morocco
| map_size = 300
| map_size = 300
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{{Campaignbox Franco-Moroccan conflicts}}{{Campaignbox French conquest of Algeria}}
{{Campaignbox Franco-Moroccan conflicts}}{{Campaignbox French conquest of Algeria}}


The '''Battle of Isly''' ({{Lang-ar|معركة إيسلي}}) was fought on August 14, 1844 between [[July Monarchy|France]] and [[Morocco]], near the [[Oued Isly|Isly River]]. French forces under Marshal [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud]] routed a much larger, but poorly organized, Moroccan force, mainly fighters from the tribes of [[Banu Snassen]], but also from the [[Banu Angad]] and [[Banu Oukil]];<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 August 2020|title=La bataille d'Isly, ou l'engagement constant du Maroc envers le Maghreb|url=https://sahara-question.com/fr/actualites/20325|url-status=live|website=Sahara Question|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026033631/https://sahara-question.com/fr/actualites/20325 |archive-date=2020-10-26 }}</ref> under [[Muhammad IV of Morocco|Muhammad]], son of the Sultan of Morocco, [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]]. [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Bugeaud]], attempting to complete the [[French conquest of Algeria]], instigated the battle without a declaration of war in order to force negotiations concerning Moroccan support for the [[Emirate of Abdelkader|Algerian resistance]] leader [[Emir Abdelkader|Abd el-Kader]] to conclude on terms favorable to the [[July Monarchy|French]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Hekking|first=Morgan|title=The Battle of Isly: Remembering Morocco's Solidarity With Algeria|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/08/315455/the-battle-of-isly-remembering-moroccos-solidarity-with-algeria|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Morocco World News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922115644/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/08/315455/the-battle-of-isly-remembering-moroccos-solidarity-with-algeria/ |archive-date=2020-09-22 }}</ref> who begged the Sultan of Morocco to withdraw support for Abd el-Kader.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Churchill|first=Charles Henry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=inkoAAAAYAAJ|title=The Life of Abdel Kader, Ex-sultan of the Arabs of Algeria: Written from His Own Dictation, and Comp. from Other Authentic Sources|date=1867|publisher=Chapman and Hall|year=1867|pages=236|language=en}}</ref>
The '''Battle of Isly''' ({{Langx|ar|معركة إيسلي}}) was fought on August 14, 1844 between [[July Monarchy|France]] and [[Morocco]], near the {{Ill|Isly River|fr|Oued Isly}}. French forces under Marshal [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud]] routed a much larger, but poorly organized, Moroccan force, mainly fighters from the tribes of {{Ill|Beni Snassen|fr|Béni-Snassen (ethnie)}}, but also from the [[Banu Angad|Beni Angad]] and [[Banu Oukil|Beni Oukil]];<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 August 2020|title=La bataille d'Isly, ou l'engagement constant du Maroc envers le Maghreb|url=https://sahara-question.com/fr/actualites/20325|url-status=live|website=Sahara Question|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026033631/https://sahara-question.com/fr/actualites/20325 |archive-date=2020-10-26 }}</ref> under [[Muhammad IV of Morocco|Muhammad]], son of the Sultan of Morocco, [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]]. Bugeaud, attempting to complete the [[French conquest of Algeria]], instigated the battle without a [[declaration of war]] in order to force negotiations concerning Moroccan support for the [[Emirate of Abdelkader|Algerian resistance]] leader [[Emir Abdelkader|Abd el-Kader]] to conclude on terms favorable to the French<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Hekking|first=Morgan|title=The Battle of Isly: Remembering Morocco's Solidarity With Algeria|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/08/315455/the-battle-of-isly-remembering-moroccos-solidarity-with-algeria|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Morocco World News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922115644/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/08/315455/the-battle-of-isly-remembering-moroccos-solidarity-with-algeria/ |archive-date=2020-09-22 }}</ref> who demanded the Sultan of Morocco to withdraw support for Abd el-Kader.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Churchill|first=Charles Henry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=inkoAAAAYAAJ|title=The Life of Abdel Kader, Ex-sultan of the Arabs of Algeria: Written from His Own Dictation, and Comp. from Other Authentic Sources|publisher=Chapman and Hall|year=1867|pages=236|language=en}}</ref>


Bugeaud, who recovered the Moroccan commander's tent and umbrella (equivalent to capturing a military standard in European warfare), was made [[Duke]] of Isly for his victory.
Bugeaud, who recovered the Moroccan commander's tent and umbrella (equivalent to capturing a military standard in European warfare), was made [[Duke]] of Isly for his victory.


The day following the battle, the [[Bombardment of Mogador]] started.<ref name="Houtsma 550">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iJQ3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA550|title=E.J. Brill's First Encyclopaedia of Islam 1913-1936|date=1987|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-08265-6|pages=550|language=en}}</ref>
The day following the battle, the [[Bombardment of Mogador]] started.<ref name="Houtsma 550">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iJQ3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA550|title=E.J. Brill's First Encyclopaedia of Islam 1913-1936|date=1987|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-08265-6|pages=550|language=en}}</ref>

== Background ==
== Background ==
Since the [[Invasion of Algiers in 1830]], [[Emir Abdelkader|Emir Abd el-Kader]] had taken lead of the tribes of the region of [[Mascara, Algeria|Mascara]] to oppose the French in 1832. [[Desmichels Treaty|A first treaty]], signed by [[Louis Alexis Desmichels|General Desmichels]] in 1834, was deemed too favorable to him. in 1837, [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Marshal Bugeaud]] was therefore instructed to sign a new one, the [[Treaty of Tafna]], which required [[Emir Abdelkader|Abd el-Kader]] to recognize the sovereignty of [[French Algeria|France in North Africa]], in exchange for which France recognized the authority of Abd el-Kader over a large part of Algeria; the whole [[Western Beylik|Beylik of Oran]] (with the exception of the cities of [[Oran]], [[Arzew]], [[Mostaganem]] and [[Mazagran, Algeria|Mazagran]]), the [[Beylik of Titteri]] and the [[:fr:Dar_Es-Soltane|Beylik of Algiers]] (with the exception of the cities of [[Algiers]] and [[Blida]]), as well as the plain of [[Mitidja]] and the [[:ar: جبال ساحل الجزائر|Algerian Sahel]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Battle of Isly {{!}} Algerian-French history|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Isly|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>
Since the [[Invasion of Algiers in 1830]], [[Emir Abdelkader|Emir Abd el-Kader]] had taken lead of the tribes of the region of [[Mascara, Algeria|Mascara]] to oppose the French in 1832. [[Desmichels Treaty|A first treaty]], signed by [[Louis Alexis Desmichels|General Desmichels]] in 1834, was deemed too favorable to him. in 1837, [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Marshal Bugeaud]] was therefore instructed to sign a new one, the [[Treaty of Tafna]], which required Abd el-Kader to recognize the sovereignty of [[French Algeria|France in North Africa]], in exchange for which France recognized the authority of Abd el-Kader over a large part of Algeria; the whole [[Western Beylik|Beylik of Oran]] (with the exception of the cities of [[Oran]], [[Arzew]], [[Mostaganem]] and [[Mazagran, Algeria|Mazagran]]), the [[Beylik of Titteri]] and the [[:fr:Dar Es-Soltane|Beylik of Algiers]] (with the exception of the cities of [[Algiers]] and [[Blida]]), as well as the plain of [[Mitidja]] and the {{Ill|Algerian Sahel|fr|Sahel algérois}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Battle of Isly {{!}} Algerian-French history|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Isly|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>


The Sultan of Morocco [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]] attempted seize [[Tlemcen]] from the French in October 1830, the sultan [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]] sent 5,000 cavalry and infantry. Moroccan soldiers rampaged through the streets of Tlemcen, looting and fighting, the sultan eventually had to retreat them.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Miller|first=Susan Gilson|url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_History_of_Modern_Morocco/peGyku_eREkC|title=A History of Modern Morocco|date=2013-04-15|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-521-81070-8|pages=14|language=en}}</ref>
The Sultan of Morocco [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]] attempted seizing [[Tlemcen]] from the French in October 1830. The Sultan sent 5,000 cavalry and infantry. Moroccan soldiers rampaged through the streets of Tlemcen, looting and fighting. The Sultan eventually had to retreat them.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Miller|first=Susan Gilson|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=peGyku_eREkC|title=A History of Modern Morocco|date=2013-04-15|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-81070-8|pages=14|language=en}}</ref>


Nevertheless, [[Emir Abdelkader|Abd el-Kader]] never turned down his will to drive the French out of Algeria. To this end, he requested and obtained the support of the Sultan of Morocco [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]], in which in theory he was a vassal of the Moroccan sultan,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Miller|first=Susan Gilson|url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_History_of_Modern_Morocco/peGyku_eREkC|title=A History of Modern Morocco|date=2013-04-15|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-521-81070-8|pages=15|language=en|quote='Abd al-Qadir was careful, however, not to appear to challenge 'Abd al-Rahman's own claims of suzerainty, and made it known that he was acting merely as the Moroccan sultan's khalifa, or deputy. Still in theory a vassal of the Moroccan sultan}}</ref> As well as the concession of the territory located between [[Oujda]] and [[:ar: وادي_تافنة|Wad Tafna]]. Abd el-Kader had raised a real army, and in November 1839, supported by the Sultan of Morocco [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]], he declared war on France, following the crossing of the [[Bibans]] ([[Iron Gates (Algeria)|Iron Gates]]) by the French army.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nodier|first=Charles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=suNsRmCOmJwC&pg=PA324|title=Journal de l'expédition des portes de fer|date=2004|publisher=SERRE EDITEUR|isbn=978-2-906431-76-8|pages=319|language=fr}}</ref>
Nevertheless, [[Emir Abdelkader|Abd el-Kader]] never turned down his will to drive the French out of Algeria. To this end, he requested and obtained the support of the Sultan of Morocco [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]], in which in theory he was a vassal of the Moroccan sultan,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Miller|first=Susan Gilson|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=peGyku_eREkC|title=A History of Modern Morocco|date=2013-04-15|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-81070-8|pages=15|language=en|quote='Abd al-Qadir was careful, however, not to appear to challenge 'Abd al-Rahman's own claims of suzerainty, and made it known that he was acting merely as the Moroccan sultan's khalifa, or deputy. Still in theory a vassal of the Moroccan sultan}}</ref> as well as the concession of the territory located between [[Oujda]] and the {{Ill|Tafna River|fr|Tafna}}. Abd el-Kader had raised a real army, and in November 1839, supported by the Sultan of Morocco [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]], he declared war on France, following the crossing of the [[Bibans]] ([[Iron Gates (Algeria)|Iron Gates]]) by the French army.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nodier|first=Charles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=suNsRmCOmJwC&pg=PA324|title=Journal de l'expédition des portes de fer|date=2004|publisher=SERRE EDITEUR|isbn=978-2-906431-76-8|pages=319|language=fr}}</ref>


In reaction, the French then truly undertook the systematic conquest of the country, which the [[July Monarchy|July monarchy]] made a reason for national pride and military heroism. This conquest was the work of [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Marshal Bugeaud]], appointed governor in 1840. Abd el-Kader saw his capital destroyed in [[Zmalet El Emir Abdelkader|Taguin]] in 1843 following the [[Battle of the Smala]] and was driven back into the [[Sahara|desert]]. He then took refuge in [[Morocco]], but, at the same time, the army of Sultan [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]] was defeated at [[Oued Isly|Isly]], while the French fleet [[Franco-Moroccan War|bombarded the ports]] of [[Bombardment of Tangiers|Tangier]] and [[Bombardment of Mogador|Mogador]]. After three years of [[guerrilla warfare]], Abd el-Kader surrendered to [[Louis Juchault de Lamoricière|Lamoricière]] in 1847.<ref>{{Cite web|title=La bataille d'Isly {{!}} Histoire et analyse d'images et oeuvres|url=https://histoire-image.org/fr/etudes/bataille-isly?i=611|access-date=2021-08-11|website=histoire-image.org|language=fr}}</ref>
In reaction, the French then truly undertook the systematic conquest of the country, which the [[July Monarchy|July monarchy]] made a reason for national pride and military heroism. This conquest was the work of [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Marshal Bugeaud]], appointed governor in 1840. Abd el-Kader saw his capital destroyed in [[Zmalet El Emir Abdelkader|Taguin]] in 1843 following the [[Battle of the Smala]] and was driven back into the [[Sahara|desert]]. He then took refuge in [[Morocco]], but, at the same time, the army of Sultan [[Abd al-Rahman of Morocco|Abd al-Rahman]] was defeated at {{Ill|Isly|fr|Isly (commune)}}, while the French fleet [[Franco-Moroccan War|bombarded the ports]] of [[Bombardment of Tangier|Tangier]] and [[Bombardment of Mogador|Mogador]]. After three years of [[guerrilla warfare]], Abd el-Kader surrendered to [[Louis Juchault de Lamoricière|Lamoricière]] in 1847.<ref>{{Cite web|title=La bataille d'Isly {{!}} Histoire et analyse d'images et oeuvres|url=https://histoire-image.org/fr/etudes/bataille-isly?i=611|access-date=2021-08-11|website=histoire-image.org|language=fr}}</ref>


== Prelude ==
== Prelude ==
On the 30th of May, French troops of [[Marie Alphonse Bedeau|General Bedeau]] had to repel a Moroccan attack.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=d'.) |first=Henri Amédée Lelorgne Ideville (comte |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JGAIAAAAQAAJ&q=battle+of+isly |title=Memoirs of marshal Bugeaud, from his private correspondence and original documents, 1784-1849, ed. from the Fr. by C.M. Yonge |date=1884 |pages=112–118 |language=en}}</ref> The Moroccan [[Qaid]] crossed the border into [[Maghnia|Lalla Maghnia]], a place sixty kilometres from [[Tlemcen]], and attacked the French camp with his Moroccan cavalry.<ref name=":3" /> The attack was soon repulsed by [[Louis Juchault de Lamoricière|General Lamoricière]]. The next day [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Marshal Bugeaud]] embarked at [[Algiers]].<ref name=":3" /> On the 15th of June, Moroccan troops fired upon French troops, wounding Captain Daumas and two men, demanding that the border must be set back to the [[:ar: وادي_تافنة|Tafna river]]. On the 19th, French troops occupied [[Oujda]].<ref name=":3" />
On 30 May, French troops of [[Marie Alphonse Bedeau|General Bedeau]] had to repel a Moroccan attack.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=d'.) |first=Henri Amédée Lelorgne Ideville (comte |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JGAIAAAAQAAJ&q=battle+of+isly |title=Memoirs of marshal Bugeaud, from his private correspondence and original documents, 1784-1849, ed. from the Fr. by C.M. Yonge |date=1884 |pages=112–118 |language=en}}</ref> The Moroccan [[Qaid]] crossed the border into [[Maghnia|Lalla Maghnia]], a place sixty kilometres from [[Tlemcen]], and attacked the French camp with his Moroccan cavalry.<ref name=":3" /> The attack was soon repulsed by [[Louis Juchault de Lamoricière|General Lamoricière]]. The next day [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Marshal Bugeaud]] embarked at [[Algiers]].<ref name=":3" /> On 15 June, Moroccan troops fired upon French troops, wounding Captain Daumas and two men, demanding that the border must be set back to the {{Ill|Tafna River|fr|Tafna}}. On the 19th, French troops occupied [[Oujda]].<ref name=":3" />


== Battle ==
== Battle ==
On the 6th of August, [[Tangier]] had been [[Bombardment of Tangiers|bombarded by French ships]] commanded by [[François d'Orléans, Prince of Joinville|François d'Orléans]], a son of the King of France, [[Louis Philippe I|Louis Phillippe I]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sondhaus|first=Lawrence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ka-1eQRnXMUC&pg=PA71|title=Navies in Modern World History|date=2004-05-04|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-86189-202-7|pages=71|language=en}}</ref>
On 6 August, [[Tangier]] had been [[Bombardment of Tangier|bombarded by French ships]] commanded by [[François d'Orléans, Prince of Joinville|François d'Orléans]], a son of the King of France, [[Louis Philippe I|Louis Phillippe I]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sondhaus|first=Lawrence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ka-1eQRnXMUC&pg=PA71|title=Navies in Modern World History|date=2004-05-04|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-86189-202-7|pages=71|language=en}}</ref>


The Governor General having assembled all his forces, made up of 11,000 men, marched on the Moroccan camp established at ''Djarf el-Akhdar'', a short distance from [[Oujda]], on the right bank of [[Oued Isly|Wad Isly]], a sub-tributary of [[:ar: وادي_تافنة|Tafna]].<ref name=":0" />
The Governor General having assembled all his forces, made up of 11,000 men, marched on the Moroccan camp established at [[Djarf el-Akhdar]], a short distance from [[Oujda]], on the right bank of the {{Ill|Isly River|fr|Oued Isly}}, a sub-tributary of the {{Ill|Tafna River|fr|Tafna}}.<ref name=":0" />


Having to deal almost exclusively with cavalry, he had formed from his infantry a large diamond whose faces were themselves made up of small squares. The cavalry was in the interior of the lozenge which marched through one of its angles duly provided with artillery.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Terrasse|first=Henri|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h30_AAAAMAAJ|title=History of Morocco|date=1952|publisher=Éditions Atlantides|pages=148|language=en}}</ref>[[File:Battle-Isly.jpg|thumb|The Battle of Isly|left]]At daybreak, seeing the French army advance, the Sultan sent the Moroccan cavalry with a mass of 20,000 to 25,000 cavalry. This charge did not succeed in forcing the lines of [[Tirailleur|tirailleurs]], and was soon separated in two by the squares of the advancing cavalry. [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Bugeaud]] then brought out his cavalry. This formed by echelons, charged the Moroccan cavalry which was to the left of the army and dispersed it after having defeated several hundred of its cavalry. The first echelon, composed of six squadrons of spahis commanded by [[Joshep Vantini|Colonel Joseph]] seeing no more and rushed to a Moroccan camp and captured eleven pieces of artillery. The Moroccan artillerymen did not have time to reload.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Pennell|first=C. R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QtBazz0I7uYC|title=Morocco Since 1830: A History|date=2000|publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers|isbn=978-1-85065-426-1|pages=49|language=en}}</ref>
Having to deal almost exclusively with cavalry, he had formed from his infantry a large diamond whose faces were themselves made up of small squares. The cavalry was in the interior of the lozenge which marched through one of its angles duly provided with artillery.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Terrasse|first=Henri|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h30_AAAAMAAJ|title=History of Morocco|date=1952|publisher=Éditions Atlantides|pages=148|language=en}}</ref>


The Moroccan [[infantry]] dispersed in [[Ravine|ravines]] where the French [[cavalry]] could not pursue them. While the first echelon marched on the camp, the second commanded by [[Colonel Morris]] moved on the part of the Moroccan [[cavalry]] which was on the right. It was a difficult endeavor. After it was over, the French army concentrated on the Moroccan camp, and soon set out in pursuit to prevent them from rallying.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Wagner|first=Moritz|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXYoAAAAYAAJ&dq=tricolor+atlas+bugeaud&pg=PA371|title=The Tricolor on the Atlas: Or, Algeria and the French Conquest|date=1854|publisher=T. Nelson and sons|language=en}}</ref>
At daybreak, seeing the French army advance, the Sultan sent the Moroccan cavalry with a mass of 20,000 to 25,000 cavalry. This charge did not succeed in forcing the lines of [[tirailleur]]s, and was soon separated in two by the squares of the advancing cavalry. [[Thomas Robert Bugeaud|Bugeaud]] then brought out his cavalry. This formed by echelons, charged the Moroccan cavalry which was to the left of the army and dispersed it after having defeated several hundred of its cavalry. The first echelon, composed of six squadrons of [[spahi]]s commanded by [[Joshep Vantini|Colonel Joseph]], rushed to a Moroccan camp and captured eleven pieces of artillery. The Moroccan artillerymen did not have time to reload.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Pennell|first=C. R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QtBazz0I7uYC|title=Morocco Since 1830: A History|date=2000|publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers|isbn=978-1-85065-426-1|pages=49|language=en}}</ref>

The Moroccan [[infantry]] dispersed in [[ravine]]s where the French [[cavalry]] could not pursue them. While the first echelon marched on the camp, the second commanded by [[Colonel Morris]] moved on the part of the Moroccan [[cavalry]] which was on the right. It was a difficult endeavor. After it was over, the French army concentrated on the Moroccan camp, and soon set out in pursuit to prevent them from rallying.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Wagner|first=Moritz|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXYoAAAAYAAJ&dq=tricolor+atlas+bugeaud&pg=PA371|title=The Tricolor on the Atlas: Or, Algeria and the French Conquest|date=1854|publisher=T. Nelson and sons|language=en}}</ref>


== Consequences ==
== Consequences ==
As a result of the battle, the French captured eleven [[Artillery|pieces of artillery]], eighteen [[Flag of Morocco|flags]], and all the Moroccan [[Tent|tents]]. The Moroccans had 800 of their men killed when the French had 27 of their men killed and 99 of them wounded.<ref name=":2" />
As a result of the battle, the French captured eleven [[Artillery|pieces of artillery]], eighteen [[Flag of Morocco|flags]], and all the Moroccan [[tent]]s. The Moroccans had 800 of their men killed when the French had 27 of their men killed and 99 of them wounded.<ref name=":2" />


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

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{{Franco-Spanish conquest of Morocco}}
{{Conflicts between France and Algeria}}


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[[Category:1840s battles|Isly]]
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{{Franco-Spanish conquest of Morocco}}
{{Conflicts between France and Algeria}}

Revision as of 09:44, 28 October 2024

Battle of Isly
Part of the Franco-Moroccan War
Battle of Isly by Horace Vernet
Battle of Isly, oil painting by Horace Vernet.
Date14 August 1844
Location34°41′24″N 1°55′48″W / 34.69000°N 1.93000°W / 34.69000; -1.93000
Result French victory
Belligerents
France Morocco
Commanders and leaders
Thomas Robert Bugeaud
Joseph Vantini
Abd al-Rahman
Muhammad IV
Strength
10,400 soldiers[1] 45,000 soldiers[1]
Casualties and losses
27 killed
99 wounded[2]
800 killed
1,500 wounded[1]
11 artillery
Battle of Isly is located in Morocco
Battle of Isly
Battle of Isly
Location of the Battle of Isly

The Battle of Isly (Arabic: معركة إيسلي) was fought on August 14, 1844 between France and Morocco, near the Isly River [fr]. French forces under Marshal Thomas Robert Bugeaud routed a much larger, but poorly organized, Moroccan force, mainly fighters from the tribes of Beni Snassen [fr], but also from the Beni Angad and Beni Oukil;[3] under Muhammad, son of the Sultan of Morocco, Abd al-Rahman. Bugeaud, attempting to complete the French conquest of Algeria, instigated the battle without a declaration of war in order to force negotiations concerning Moroccan support for the Algerian resistance leader Abd el-Kader to conclude on terms favorable to the French[4] who demanded the Sultan of Morocco to withdraw support for Abd el-Kader.[5]

Bugeaud, who recovered the Moroccan commander's tent and umbrella (equivalent to capturing a military standard in European warfare), was made Duke of Isly for his victory.

The day following the battle, the Bombardment of Mogador started.[6]

Background

Since the Invasion of Algiers in 1830, Emir Abd el-Kader had taken lead of the tribes of the region of Mascara to oppose the French in 1832. A first treaty, signed by General Desmichels in 1834, was deemed too favorable to him. in 1837, Marshal Bugeaud was therefore instructed to sign a new one, the Treaty of Tafna, which required Abd el-Kader to recognize the sovereignty of France in North Africa, in exchange for which France recognized the authority of Abd el-Kader over a large part of Algeria; the whole Beylik of Oran (with the exception of the cities of Oran, Arzew, Mostaganem and Mazagran), the Beylik of Titteri and the Beylik of Algiers (with the exception of the cities of Algiers and Blida), as well as the plain of Mitidja and the Algerian Sahel [fr].[7]

The Sultan of Morocco Abd al-Rahman attempted seizing Tlemcen from the French in October 1830. The Sultan sent 5,000 cavalry and infantry. Moroccan soldiers rampaged through the streets of Tlemcen, looting and fighting. The Sultan eventually had to retreat them.[8]

Nevertheless, Abd el-Kader never turned down his will to drive the French out of Algeria. To this end, he requested and obtained the support of the Sultan of Morocco Abd al-Rahman, in which in theory he was a vassal of the Moroccan sultan,[9] as well as the concession of the territory located between Oujda and the Tafna River [fr]. Abd el-Kader had raised a real army, and in November 1839, supported by the Sultan of Morocco Abd al-Rahman, he declared war on France, following the crossing of the Bibans (Iron Gates) by the French army.[10]

In reaction, the French then truly undertook the systematic conquest of the country, which the July monarchy made a reason for national pride and military heroism. This conquest was the work of Marshal Bugeaud, appointed governor in 1840. Abd el-Kader saw his capital destroyed in Taguin in 1843 following the Battle of the Smala and was driven back into the desert. He then took refuge in Morocco, but, at the same time, the army of Sultan Abd al-Rahman was defeated at Isly [fr], while the French fleet bombarded the ports of Tangier and Mogador. After three years of guerrilla warfare, Abd el-Kader surrendered to Lamoricière in 1847.[11]

Prelude

On 30 May, French troops of General Bedeau had to repel a Moroccan attack.[12] The Moroccan Qaid crossed the border into Lalla Maghnia, a place sixty kilometres from Tlemcen, and attacked the French camp with his Moroccan cavalry.[12] The attack was soon repulsed by General Lamoricière. The next day Marshal Bugeaud embarked at Algiers.[12] On 15 June, Moroccan troops fired upon French troops, wounding Captain Daumas and two men, demanding that the border must be set back to the Tafna River [fr]. On the 19th, French troops occupied Oujda.[12]

Battle

On 6 August, Tangier had been bombarded by French ships commanded by François d'Orléans, a son of the King of France, Louis Phillippe I.[13]

The Governor General having assembled all his forces, made up of 11,000 men, marched on the Moroccan camp established at Djarf el-Akhdar, a short distance from Oujda, on the right bank of the Isly River [fr], a sub-tributary of the Tafna River [fr].[4]

Having to deal almost exclusively with cavalry, he had formed from his infantry a large diamond whose faces were themselves made up of small squares. The cavalry was in the interior of the lozenge which marched through one of its angles duly provided with artillery.[14]

At daybreak, seeing the French army advance, the Sultan sent the Moroccan cavalry with a mass of 20,000 to 25,000 cavalry. This charge did not succeed in forcing the lines of tirailleurs, and was soon separated in two by the squares of the advancing cavalry. Bugeaud then brought out his cavalry. This formed by echelons, charged the Moroccan cavalry which was to the left of the army and dispersed it after having defeated several hundred of its cavalry. The first echelon, composed of six squadrons of spahis commanded by Colonel Joseph, rushed to a Moroccan camp and captured eleven pieces of artillery. The Moroccan artillerymen did not have time to reload.[15]

The Moroccan infantry dispersed in ravines where the French cavalry could not pursue them. While the first echelon marched on the camp, the second commanded by Colonel Morris moved on the part of the Moroccan cavalry which was on the right. It was a difficult endeavor. After it was over, the French army concentrated on the Moroccan camp, and soon set out in pursuit to prevent them from rallying.[14][16]

Consequences

As a result of the battle, the French captured eleven pieces of artillery, eighteen flags, and all the Moroccan tents. The Moroccans had 800 of their men killed when the French had 27 of their men killed and 99 of them wounded.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c Clodfelter, M. (2017). Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015 (4th ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 199. ISBN 978-0-7864-7470-7.
  2. ^ Pierre Montagnon, The conquest of Algeria: The seeds of discordie, 2012.
  3. ^ "La bataille d'Isly, ou l'engagement constant du Maroc envers le Maghreb". Sahara Question. 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b Hekking, Morgan. "The Battle of Isly: Remembering Morocco's Solidarity With Algeria". Morocco World News. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  5. ^ Churchill, Charles Henry (1867). The Life of Abdel Kader, Ex-sultan of the Arabs of Algeria: Written from His Own Dictation, and Comp. from Other Authentic Sources. Chapman and Hall. p. 236.
  6. ^ E.J. Brill's First Encyclopaedia of Islam 1913-1936. BRILL. 1987. p. 550. ISBN 978-90-04-08265-6.
  7. ^ "Battle of Isly | Algerian-French history". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  8. ^ Miller, Susan Gilson (15 April 2013). A History of Modern Morocco. Cambridge University Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-521-81070-8.
  9. ^ Miller, Susan Gilson (15 April 2013). A History of Modern Morocco. Cambridge University Press. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-521-81070-8. 'Abd al-Qadir was careful, however, not to appear to challenge 'Abd al-Rahman's own claims of suzerainty, and made it known that he was acting merely as the Moroccan sultan's khalifa, or deputy. Still in theory a vassal of the Moroccan sultan
  10. ^ Nodier, Charles (2004). Journal de l'expédition des portes de fer (in French). SERRE EDITEUR. p. 319. ISBN 978-2-906431-76-8.
  11. ^ "La bataille d'Isly | Histoire et analyse d'images et oeuvres". histoire-image.org (in French). Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d d'.), Henri Amédée Lelorgne Ideville (comte (1884). Memoirs of marshal Bugeaud, from his private correspondence and original documents, 1784-1849, ed. from the Fr. by C.M. Yonge. pp. 112–118.
  13. ^ Sondhaus, Lawrence (4 May 2004). Navies in Modern World History. Reaktion Books. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-86189-202-7.
  14. ^ a b Terrasse, Henri (1952). History of Morocco. Éditions Atlantides. p. 148.
  15. ^ a b Pennell, C. R. (2000). Morocco Since 1830: A History. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-85065-426-1.
  16. ^ Wagner, Moritz (1854). The Tricolor on the Atlas: Or, Algeria and the French Conquest. T. Nelson and sons.

34°41′24″N 1°55′48″W / 34.6900°N 1.9300°W / 34.6900; -1.9300