Part of Romero's book works in detail through Ballasteros activity in 1810 and 1811.

Romero writes that on 15 April Ballasteros was sent to protect Riotinto. Initially the French were at El Berrocal. Ballasteros moved from Calanas to Zalamea la Real where he encounter 5,000 French infantry and 800 cavalry. Ballasteros retreats “as he had on many previous occasions”.

In May Ballasteros is at Aracena with part of his division. He moves to Zufre where he picks up the regiments Leon, 1st battalion of Navarra, and Lusitania (presumably the dragoon regiment). He then moves to El Castillo de las Guardas where he meets other regiments and guerrilla groups based there. He decides to surprise the 1,000 French infantry and 100 cavalry at Gerena who then retreated to Seville. Ballasteros withdraws when the French advance reinforced, returning to Aracena.

On 24 May the French advance to meet Ballasteros at Aracena, 6,000 infantry and 800 cavalry. The battle starts one league from Aracena with Ballasteros feeding reinforcements up and succeeding in repulsing the French twice. As the French are reinforced he is forced to retreat, allowing the French to enter the town and take control of the castle. Ballasteros moves back to the outskirts of Aracena on the road between Santa Lucia and the mountain of San Gines on the road to Los Marines y Galaroza.

Romero lists the regiments under his command here as:

• Navarra
• Covadonga
• Cangas de Tineo
• Castropol
• Lena
• Candas
• Luanco
• Provisional de Leon

And the cavalry regiments:

• Dragones de Lusitania
• Dragones de Villaviciosa

With the infantry he retreats Alajar. The cavalry retreats to Fregenal. Total casualties given as 180 to 200 Spanish and 1,500 French killed or wounded.