Page 203 - Reading Mercury

th
Sat 11 Oct (BC)
DESTRUCTION OF A FRENCH BATTALION BY ABDEL-KADER
st
The Algiers journals of the 1 give an account of a disastrous affair which has just
taken place near Djema Ghazaoual. Col. Montagnac, who commanded that post, being
informed by a subjected Arab chief who had never before given any reason to doubt
his fidelity, that Abdel-Kader, at the head of only a few men, had come to seek refuge
in the environs, and was then in a spot where he might be easily surprised, set out with
th
a small column of 450 men, composed of the 8 battalion of the Orleans Chasseurs,
and two squadrons of Hussars. On arriving at the marabout of Sidi Brahira (four
leagues from Djema Ghazaoual), he was suddenly surrounded by an enormous mass
of horsemen and Kabyles of the country, and of the frontier of Morocco, whom he
charged resolutely, with the intention of forcing a passage.
The melee was terrible, for in a moment officers and soldiers were stretched lifeless
on the earth, with exception of 80 men of the Chasseurs, at the head of whom was
Captain Goreaux, the only officer who had not been killed. Notwithstanding the
efforts of the enemy, these 80 men got possession of a neighbouring marabout and
shut themselves up in it.
Abdel-Kader in vain attempted to force the place. He was constantly received by a
fire of musketry through the loop-holes which our soldiers had made in the walls with
their swords and bayonets and the Emir was compelled to raise a siege which had cost
him so many lives.
For two days our men were there pressing against each other, without sleep,
provisions or water. Three times did Abdel-Kader call upon them to surrender,
swearing that no harm should be done to them, for, said he, “you are humane towards
Mussulman prisoners.” Although reduced to the last extremity our 80 brave men
would not listen to any terms, and under these circumstances Abdel-Kader retired,
leaving. However, a large force to blockade the marabout.
Scarcely was the bulk of the besieging force out of sight of the besieged, than they
attempted a sortie, and penetrated with bayonets the line of natives who surrounded
them, they directed their course towards Djema Ghazaoual. At a league from that
place a host of Kabyles fell upon them. The captain was one of the first who fell, and
his soldiers, in order that his body might not fall into the hands of the enemy, fell by
the side of him. In the meantime the fusillade was heard at Djema Ghazaoual, where
the alarm had besides been given by a Hussar, the only one who had escaped from the
massacre of the two squadrons. When the garrison of this place reached the scene of
the combat, only 12 men were standing. They were all easily disengaged and taken
back to Djema Ghazaoual—in all 14 living out of 450!

From now on Reading Mercury
1846
rd
Sat 3 Jan
On Thursday, the harriers of the Messrs. St. John, had a fine run, the meet took
place at Mr. Lane’s East Heath, and a hare was soon started from Luckley Park, which
took the direction to East Heath, across to Bear Wood, Toutley Hall, and back to the
Folly Farm, where all trace was lost, after an excellent run of an hour and a half
without a check. The hounds soon after started another from an adjoining field, which
also afforded an excellent run over nearly the same ground, which was killed after an
hour’s run, near the place of starting, after affording famous sport to the numerous
field, who were unanimous in praise of the staunch little park.

201