Battle of Isly
Isly River, near Oujda, Morocco
What happened
A French army under Marshal Thomas Robert Bugeaud fought a Moroccan army led by Muhammad, son of Sultan Abd al-Rahman. France was conquering Algeria, and Morocco was helping the Algerian leader Emir Abd el-Kader resist. Bugeaud marched into Morocco without a declaration of war. Near the Isly River, his infantry formed squares that broke the charges of the larger Moroccan cavalry army, and French cavalry captured the Moroccan cannons.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Morocco made peace with France and stopped supporting Abd el-Kader. It strengthened France's hold on Algeria.
What came next
Abd el-Kader kept fighting but surrendered to the French in 1847. Bugeaud was given the title Duke of Isly.
Did you know?
The French captured the Moroccan commander's tent and umbrella, which counted as a great trophy, like a captured flag.
Timeline
- 1840Bugeaud becomes governor-general of Algeria.
- 14 August 1844The French win at Isly.
- 15 August 1844The French navy bombards Mogador.
- 1847Abd el-Kader surrenders.