Battle of Barrosa
Playa de la Barrosa, Chiclana de la Frontera, Spain
What happened
A British, Portuguese and Spanish force under Thomas Graham fought a French army under Marshal Victor. The French were besieging the port of Cádiz. An allied force landed to the south and marched north to attack them from behind, but Victor laid a trap. Graham's division was caught alone; he turned his men around, retook Barrosa Ridge and drove off the French.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The win lifted Spanish spirits, but changed little because the allies did not follow it up. The siege of Cádiz went on until August 1812.
What came next
Lapeña, who had not helped Graham, was court-martialled and relieved of command. Graham joined Wellington's main army.
Did you know?
Graham only became a soldier in his forties, after the death of his wife.
Timeline
- 5 March 1811Battle of Barrosa.
- 8 March 1811The French are back in their siege lines.
- 24 August 1812The siege of Cádiz ends.
- 3 May 1814Graham is made Baron Lynedoch.