The failed night assault on San Lázaro

The night advance relied on two Spanish deserters instead of adequate topographical reconnaissance. They led British troops onto difficult approaches, but whether they were deliberately misleading the column on Lezo's orders is left unresolved. Prepared Spanish musketry struck the grenadiers, while the deaths of Colonel Grant and his major disrupted command of the following troops. Unarmed Americans carrying equipment sought cover, and the scaling ladders proved about ten feet too short. Cartagena's guns opened at roughly 05:00, yet Wentworth waited until about 08:00 to retreat as Spanish infantry threatened the route back to the ships. At least 600 of roughly 2,000 attackers are reported dead, and the expedition's remaining effective land strength had fallen to about 3,200.