 Meanwhile , midway through his march to join la Peña 's Spaniards , Graham received news from Spanish <unk> that French soldiers had emerged from the Chiclana forest . Riding to the rear of his marching columns , he witnessed the Spanish battalions retreating from the ridge , Ruffin 's division climbing its slopes , and Leval 's division approaching from the east . Realizing that the Allied force was in danger of being swamped , Graham disregarded his orders and turned his division to deal with the threats to his flank and rear . He ordered General Dilkes 's brigade to retake the ridge while Colonel Wheatley 's brigade was sent to see off Leval 's force to the east . 
