Lieutenant-General Graham in his despatch to the Earl of Liverpool, dated Isla de Leon, March 6th, 1811, stated:-- "The circumstances were such as compelled me to attack this very superior force. In order as well to explain to your Lordship the circumstances of peculiar disadvantage under which the action was begun, as to justify myself from the imputation of rashness in the attempt, I must state to your Lordship, that the allied army, after a night march of sixteen hours from the camp near Veger, arrived, on the morning of the 5th, at the low ridge of Barrosa, about four miles to the southward of the mouth of the Santi Petri river. This height extends inland about a mile and a half, continuing on the north the extensive heathy plain of Chiclana. A great pine forest skirts the plain, and circles round the height at some distance, terminating down to Santi Petri; the intermediate space between the north side of the height and the forest being uneven and broken. "A well-conducted and successful attack on the rear of the enemy's lines near Santi Petri, by the vanguard of the Spanish army, under Brigadier-General Ladrizabel, having opened the communication with the Isla de Leon, I received General La Pena's directions to move down from the position of Barrosa to that of the Torre de Bermesa, about half-way to the Santi Petri river, in order to secure the communication across the river, over which a bridge had been lately established. This latter position occupies a narrow woody ridge, the right on the sea cliff, the left falling down to the Almanza creek on the edge of the marsh. A hard sandy beach gives an easy communication between the western points of these two positions. "My division, being halted on the eastern slope of the Barrosa height, was marched about twelve o'clock through the wood towards the Bermesa, cavalry patrols having previously been sent towards Chiclana, without meeting with the enemy. On the march I received notice that the enemy had appeared in force on the plain, and was advancing towards the heights of Barrosa. "As I considered that position as the key of that of Santi Petri, I immediately countermarched in order to support the troops left for its defence, and the alacrity with which this manœuvre was executed, served as a favourable omen. It was, however, impossible in such intricate and difficult ground to preserve order in the columns, and there never was time to restore it entirely.