He then found, to his astonishment, that the details which the king had sent him respecting the force of the enemy were entirely incorrect.

Charles had written that they were two thousand strong, and that sixteen thousand peasants were in arms against them, whereas Las Torres had with him seven thousand good troops, and not a single peasant had taken up arms.
General Killigrew, who now commanded the two hundred dragoons and the thousand British infantry at Tortosa, together with his officers, considered that under such circumstances it was absolutely hopeless to attempt any movement for the relief of San Matteo; but Peterborough did not hesitate a moment, and only said to his officers: "Unless I can raise that siege our affairs are desperate, and therefore capable only of desperate remedies.

Be content; let me try my fortune, whether I cannot by diligence and surprise effect that which by downright force is apparently impracticable." The officers had unbounded confidence in their general, and although the enterprise appeared absolutely hopeless, they at once agreed to undertake it.

Accordingly the three weak English regiments marched from Tortosa under Killigrew, and the next day the earl followed with the dragoons and a party of Miquelets, and overtook the infantry that night.
The next morning he broke up his little army into small detachments in order that they might march more rapidly, and, dividing the Miquelets among them as guides, ordered them to assemble at Fraiguesa, two leagues from San Matteo.
The advance was admirably managed.

Small parties of dragoons and Miquelets went on ahead along each of the roads to occupy the passes among the hills.