THE INSURRECTION AGAINST FRENCH RULE IN AFRICA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 204, 16 August 1860, Page 4

THE INSURRECTION AGAINST FRENCH RULE IN AFRICA.

[From the Moniteur .] In the midst of the most profound tranquility, while the tribes of the Hodna (Constantine) enjoyed all the blessings of peace, an insurrection suddenly broke out among the Oul-ed-Amar, of the Ouled-Derradj, in the subdivision of Batna. It was fomented by the appearance of the individual named Si-Moham-med-Ben-Bou Kreutach, who, proclaiming himself the Envoy of the Scherif of Sous-el-designated by the prophecies a 3 destined to free the country from the Christian yoke, had succeeded, in a few days, in exercising immense authority over the ardent imaginations of these warlike tribes, and in inducing them to take up arms against us. This impostor having posted himself at some distance from the great chains of the Bou-Thaleb, between the Chebka-Magra and the ChebkaMeleli, found the number of his partisans increasing hourly, and the agitation rapidly propagating among the neighbouring tribes. The commandants of the subdivisions of the Batna and of Fettij, having been informed of what was passing, marched forthwith to the Hodna, each at the head of a light, column, and arrived on the 25th March in front of the insurgents, who already disposed of 1800 muskets.

The camp was composed of two smalas of about 800 tents, situate, one on the right bank of the Oued-Dra-el-Baida, and the principal on the left bank. General Desmarest, who arrived the first within view of the enemy, not wishing to give his goums time to hesitate, immediately commenced the attack on the south with a part of his cavalry, at the same time that he advanced to the north with the remainder of his column. The Bth chasseurs gave proofs of the most brilliant bravery. They traversed the principal srnala throughout its entire length, driving back the defenders, and pursuing them to the top of the steep hills, where the difficulty of the ground alone forced them to stop. A considerable mass of the insurgents, animated by the most savage fanatici m. then rushed on the squadron and on some companies of Zouaves, who arrived to support them, and the combatants engaged hand to hand Fearing the result of an engagement among tents, in which the enemy, being concealed, were enabled to fire point blank on the troops, General Desmarest drew back his men to his reserve, opened a fire from his howitzers, ami again marched forward as soon as the column of the Batna appeared in the east. Under the combined action of our troops the resistance was quickly overcome, and the enemy, protected by inextricable ravines, fled in the greatest disorder, leaving in our hands the-Scherif-Sir .Mohammed-Ben-Bou-Kreuiei’h, five stand of colours, all their dead and wounded, all the r tents, and all their herds and flocks of cattle and sheep. 7'lius, thanks to the devotedness of our soldiers and to the resolution of their chiefs, the insurrection was vanquished in five days among the tribes with whom it originated.

But this success could not be obtained without serious losses on our side. We have to regret tvyenty eight killed, of whom three officers, and fifty-six wounded. General Desvaux, commanding the province of Constantine, after having praised the conduct of General Desmarest, Colonel Pein, and the troops under their orders, mentions particularly as having distinguished themselves, Commandant Halligon, Sergeant Alain, who continued to fight though wounded, Private Lefrere, who was severely wounded iu defending a wounded officer, Private Colin, who saved the life of a non-commissioned officer, and killed three Arabs with his own hand.