He found, on arriving, that no preparations whatever had been made; and the army, thus early in the campaign, was put on half rations.

Day after day passed without any of the promised supplies arriving, and Sir Arthur wrote to the Supreme Junta; saying that although, in accordance with his agreement, he would march to the Alberche, he would not cross that river unless the promises that had been made were kept, to the letter.
He had, by this time, learned that the French forces north of the mountains were much more formidable than the Spanish reports had led him to believe; but he still greatly underrated Soult's army, and was altogether ignorant that Ney had evacuated Galicia, and was marching south with all speed, with his command.

Del Parque had failed in his promise to garrison Bejar and Banos, and these passes were now only held by a few hundreds of Cuesta's Spaniards.
A week after taking up his position north of Oropesa, Terence received orders to move with his two battalions, and to take post to guard these passes; with his left resting on Bejar, and his right in communication with Wilson's force.

The detachments were at once recalled.

A thousand men were posted near Bejar, and the rest divided among the other passes by which a French army from the north could cross the Sierra.
As soon as this arrangement was made, Terence rode to Wilson's headquarters.