The disease clock and Spanish defensive choices

The approaching rainy season imposed a deadline on the British expedition. The dangerous season is described as lasting from May to November, giving the Spanish a reason to prolong the siege. Lezo favored reinforcing and contesting every defensive line before withdrawing to the next. That approach could inflict greater losses and burden the attackers with wounded men who required food, care, and attendants. It also exposed Spanish troops to repeated withdrawals under fire and exhaustion. Eslava preferred lightly held outer works that preserved more defenders for the core positions, and his senior rank gave that policy precedence.