Raid on Reghaïa (1837) explained

Conflict:Raid on Reghaïa
Partof:the French conquest of Algeria
Date:8–9 May 1837
Place:Reghaïa, Mitidja,
Coordinates:36.7386°N 3.3389°W
Result:Inconclusive
  • Reghaïa successfully defended
  • France suffers losses
Combatant1: Emirate of Mascara
Commander1: Emir Abdelkader
Emir Mustapha
Cheikh Ali Boushaki
Cheikh Ben Zamoum
Commander2: Damrémont
Perrégaux
Schauenburg
La Torré
Strength1:500 warriors
Strength2:French farmers
local troops
Casualties1:Presumably none
Casualties2:2 dead
Several cattle stolen

The Raid on Reghaïa in May 1837, during the French conquest of Algeria, pitted the French colonizers in Reghaïa region against the Kabyle troops of the Igawawen confederacy.[1] [2]

Background

See main article: Expedition of the Col des Beni Aïcha.

See also: First Battle of Boudouaou and First Battle of the Issers. Before colonization the Igawawen, also known as Zwawas served as troops under the Deylik of Algiers. Following a coup by Ali Khodja they gained more influence inside the country.In 1830 France invaded Algiers, and started the French conquest of Algeria. The Zwawa served under the armies led by Ibrahim Agha, and particularly in the Battle of Staouéli. Following the Fall of Algiers, the French started encroaching on the Mitidja region surrounding the city. Initially defeating the forces of Mostéfa Boumezrag at Médea, they were soon halted at the First Battle of Blida by Mohamed ben Zamoum. By 1837 the majority of the Mitidja was seized, and France started encroaching on the lands of the Zwawa.

Mercier and Saussine Farm

See main article: Pieds-Noirs. After Colonel Maximilien Joseph Schauenburg (1784-1838) perpetrated the Massacre of El Ouffia in 1832, the pace of spoliation and sequestration of Algerian lands and properties increased in order to settle more French farmers in Mitidja from the year 1836.[3] Thus, in Reghaïa, a settlement of more than 3,000 hectares was granted to two Frenchmen, called Mercier and Saussine, in order to establish a large agricultural establishment in this wet plain.[4] The entrepreneur Mercier who had just arrived from the United States of America in 1836 was already experienced in the handling of businesses and operations of this kind.[5]

Attack

See main article: Emirate of Abdelkader. Emir Mustapha (1814–1863) organized an attack which took place from 8 May 1837 against the farm of Reghaia, located between and within the Mitidja plain.The Zwawa confederacy, more specifically the Beni Aïcha, the Issers and the Amraoua tribes looted Reghaïa.[6] Two French colonists were killed by the Zwawa in the agricultural fields, and a considerable amount of cattle was taken from the enclosures and transported to the region of Oued Isser.Nevertheless, the Reghaïa farm was successfully defended by its owners and the local troops against this first attack in the dividing line between Mitidja and Kabylia, as it was next during the second attack in 1839, then under Emir Abdelkader, and Ahmed ben Salem.[7]

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Une page de l'histoire de la colonisation algerienne: Bou-Farik. Trumelet. Corneille. 1887.
  2. Web site: Le Spectateur militaire; Recueil de science, d'art et d'histoire militaires. 1838.
  3. Book: Hippolyte Dumas de Lamarche. Les Turcs et les Russes : histoire de la guerre d'Orient. 1855. G. Barda. 1–.
  4. Book: Revue des deux mondes. 1836. Au Bureau de la Revue des deux mondes. 609–.
  5. Book: L'Afrique française: revue coloniale, politique, administrative, militaire, agricole, commerciale et scientifique. 1837. 11–.
  6. Book: Paul Azan. Conquête et pacification de l'Algérie. 1931. Librairie de France.
  7. Book: Louis de Baudicour. Histoire de la colonisation de l'Algérie. 1860. Challamel Aine. 49–.