 Victor 's plan rapidly developed momentum . Ruffin 's advance sufficed to send the five rearguard Spanish battalions running , leaving only Browne 's battalion defending the ridge and , confronted by the French dragoons , Whittingham 's cavalry decided to retire . Whittingham lent a single squadron of KGL hussars to Browne to cover his retreat ; Browne initially positioned his battalion in the ruins of a chapel at the summit but , seeing Whittingham 's retreat and spotting six French battalions advancing on his position , he had little choice but to give way and seek Graham 's force in the woods . Barrosa Ridge fell unopposed as Victor had intended , and Ruffin emplaced a battery of artillery on the heights . 
