Battle of Barossa, March 5^th, 1811

A force of some 5,200 British and Portuguese troops under British General Graham had sailed along the Spanish coast and landed in an area which would have allowed them to march on the rear of the French as they invested the major port city of Cadiz. Once they landed however, they were joined by a much larger contingent of Spanish troops under the command of one General La Pe�a. Having the largest force, he assumed command from Graham.� Rather than fulfilling the original purpose of the expedition, which was to destroy as much of the French siege works as possible at Cadiz, La Pe�a resolved to march along the coast and hurry back into Cadiz with the assistance of the Spanish force waiting on the far side of the San Petri River.

The French quickly moved south to intercept La Pe�a�s. Graham intended to hold a position on the Barossa Ridge, an area of high ground leading to the coast, some 3 miles short of the San Petri River crossing, but La Pe�a ordered him to march on, leaving a rear guard of a battalion and the few cavalry he had, while five Spanish battalions would join them to hold off the French. Graham gave this job to Brown with his battalion of flank companies and marched on to the West.

Soon Brown found himself threatened by two French divisions. He hastened to leave the ridge sending a message to Graham. Graham turned his British Portuguese column about and hurried back, sending on an order to Brown to recover his position on the Barossa Hill.

Graham led his battalion into the attack up the hillside, suffering 236 casualties in his assault on the French. Coming up on Brown�s right, Colonel Dilkes� brigade of Foot Guards attacked up the hill. The French sent down two counter-attacks, both of which were beaten off, the Foot Guards and Brown�s battalion forcing their way to the summit.

Throughout, La Pe�a and his Spanish troops held aloof, leaving the British and Portuguese to fight alone. Had, at the very least, the Spanish cavalry joined the German Hussars, the French losses would have been disastrous. Once the French had been driven off, no thanks to Pena and his Spanish, Graham�s force resumed their march along the coast and crossed the river back into Cadiz. No attempt was made to destroy any of the French siege works.

Edited text taken from www.britishbattles.com

The Map

This battle starts at the point where a small contingent of British troops holding the Barossa Hill (yellow circle) and is about to be attacked by 2 divisions of French. The 3^rd French division is delayed. The column under Graham will turn back and assist. Some liberty was taken with the involvement of the Spanish troops under La Pena (seen on the beach) and though they never took part in the real battle, they are here allowed to engage after 25 minutes game time. The objective is Barossa Hill, whoever takes and holds it is the winner. All time delays are written on the map itself.� There are no up-grades or building allowed. Any player who cannot or will-not attack Barossa Hill should surrender. ����