Barrosa, battle of

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Barrosa, battle of, 1811. Since 1810 Cadiz had been besieged by the French under General Victor. In January 1811 an Anglo-Spanish force attempted to lift the blockade by landing 50 miles to the south at Tafira and marching north to attack the French from the rear at Chiclana. On 5 March Victor, hiding in Chiclana Forest, attacked the allied flank and captured Barrosa ridge, the key strategic point on the field. General Graham (Lynedoch), commanding the British troops, in a bold but bloody counter-attack managed to repulse the French. The Spanish army, under General La Peña, did not intervene and allowed the French to escape when the English were too tired to pursue.

Richard A. Smith

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Barrosa, battle of

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