Battle of Djebel Bou Taleb

Shortly after capture of Constantine, General Changarnier led a punitive expedition against Kabyle tribes of Djebel Bou Taleb suspected of aiding Ahmed Bey. The expedition turned into pitched battle in the mountains, where French troops faced a coalition of Kabyle warriors. Although initially surprised, they managed to reverse the situation and won after several hours of difficult fighting in steep terrain.

Capture of Constantine did not end local resistance. Ahmed Bey continued mobilizing tribes in the region to retake the city. Djebel Bou Taleb, a difficult mountainous zone, was an important bastion of these rebel forces. General Changarnier, veteran of colonial wars, received orders to secure the zone to prevent any uprising. He engaged his troops in an extremely difficult environment, without roads, with capricious weather and frequent surprise attacks.

Kabyles used guerrilla tactics, harassing French columns from heights. Changarnier ordered tight-order advance protected by skirmishers and scouts. When an important group of Kabyle fighters attempted to outflank the column, legionnaires outflanked the ridge and counterattacked on the flank. Superiority in discipline and firepower allowed the French to regain control of terrain and repulse the enemy, who dispersed in the mountains.

This victory allowed France temporarily to consolidate its hold on the Constantine region. It reduced Ahmed Bey's immediate harassment capacity, though he remained active. Success reinforced Changarnier's reputation; he would be appointed governor of Constantine. The battle however showed difficulty of durably controlling mountainous zones where guerrilla remained the main form of resistance.