By the beginning of 1810, the Spanish forces under Central Junta's command, the independent government, had suffered serious military defeat at the Battle of Ocaña. The French forces took control of southern Spain, and forced the Spanish government to retreat to Cádiz and remained under siege by the French from 5 February 1810 to 24 August 1812 but was never captured (See the Siege of Cádiz). The "Central Junta" dissolved itself on 29 January 1810, and set up a five-person Regency. The five regents convened the meeting of the Cortes of Cádiz, operating as a government in exile.