Estimates place the Spanish regular contingent between 2,700 and 3,000 men, with roughly 2,850 used as a practical midpoint. Reinforcements had arrived several months before the British expedition. A locally raised colonial regiment, five militia companies, 600 Indigenous archers, sailors, and the crews of six ships of the line brought the total defensive force to about 6,000. This mixed force had prepared positions and local knowledge, advantages that raw totals alone do not show.
Notable Point · 1:06:19-1:07:19
Cartagena's defenders combine regular and local forces
About 6,000 defenders included Spanish regulars, a locally raised regiment, militia, Indigenous archers, sailors, and crews from six ships of the line.