Battle of Siguiri

The Battle of Siguiri pitted Gallieni's French column against a large army of Samory Touré, leader of the Wassoulou Empire. French forces crossed the Niger River to attack the town of Siguiri, held by Samory. After violent combat where artillery and tirailleur line fire made the difference, the town fell and Samory's troops withdrew. It was one of the first major French victories against the Wassoulou Empire.

Facing French colonial advance from Upper Senegal, Samory Touré offered fierce resistance, alternating pitched battles and mobile warfare. Siguiri, on the Niger, was a strategic point of his empire. Gallieni sought to seize it to cut communications and establish a bridgehead for future campaigns.

The French advanced in square formation, protecting their flank with the river and using artillery to dislodge defenders. Samory's troops launched several frontal charges and attempted encirclements. The French held firm, then launched a counterattack that broke enemy resistance.

The capture of Siguiri weakened Samory Touré's defensive system and opened Upper Guinea to French colonial advance. Gallieni's reputation grew. This victory would be followed by years of mobile warfare, with Samory withdrawing ever further east and south until his capture in 1898.