The Battle of Barrosa and the failed attempt to break the siege of Cádiz

The Battle of Barrosa, also known as the Battle of Chiclana or Battle of Cerro del Puerco, took place on 5 March 1811. It was part of an unsuccessful maneuver by an Anglo-Iberian force to break the French siege of Cádiz during the Peninsular War. The overall command of the Anglo-Spanish forces was ceded to the Spanish General Manuel la Peña - a political accommodation since he was widely regarded as incompetent - while the Anglo-Portuguese contingent was commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham. This force comprised some 8,000 Spanish and 4,000 British troops.

The Allied forces included a force of 4,000 Spanish troops led by General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón in a sally from Cádiz. A force of Spanish irregulars under General Antonio Begines de los Ríos was also ordered to join the main Allied force. However, the French, under the command of Marshal Victor, were aware of the developing threat and responded by sending three infantry battalions and a cavalry regiment to reinforce Cassagne, and ordering the fortification of Medina-Sidonia.

Despite this, the British succeeded in routing the attacking French forces and captured a regimental eagle. The Battle of Barrosa was a tactical victory for the British, but a lack of support from the larger Spanish contingent prevented an absolute victory. The French were able to regroup and reoccupy their siege lines, and the siege remained in force until it was finally lifted on 24 August 1812.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons