On the 11th of December Emir Abdelkader gathered 1,200 cavalry and 800 infantry and prepared for battle.[1] At night camels that were covered with halfa, which had been dipped in tar and pitch were driven in the front of the column. After marching for two hours, Abdelkader encountered the first Moroccan division, he then set fire to the halfa covered camels and they plunged against the Moroccan cavalry.[1] The Moroccans were bewildered, terrified and ultimately defeated, abandoning their tents, arms and baggage.[1] Emir Abdelkader advanced and surprised and defeated the second Moroccan division in the same manner as the first.[1]