On the 15th of June the regiment was stationed at Nava de Aver, in Portugal, where it remained three weeks, forming part of the four divisions of infantry left behind the Agueda to observe the movements of the French army under Marshal Marmont during the time the second siege of Badajoz was undertaken. When the enemy moved southwards, the regiment directed its march by Castello Branco for the Alentejo; and went into position on the Caya, being hutted near the wood and town of Aronches until the 2d of July, when it proceeded to Portalegre.
While at this station the FOURTH had the misfortune to lose their commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Bevan, who died on the 8th of July, and was buried with military honours in the castle-yard, all the officers of the division attending. He was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Brooke, and brevet Lieut.-Colonel Faunce was appointed lieutenant-colonel in the regiment and placed at the head of the second battalion.
The regiment left its quarters in Portalegre on the 21st of July, and was hutted near that town seven days, when it proceeded into cantonments at Castel de Vide. When Lord Wellington moved towards the Agueda with the view of rescuing Ciudad Rodrigo from the power of the enemy, the FOURTH crossed the Tagus by the bridge of boats, and proceeding by Castello Branco, entered Spain on the 11th of August at Navas Frias. After passing seven days in huts near St. Payo, they proceeded into cantonments at Pena Parda; but returned to their huts on the 26th of August, and back to quarters on the 2d of September, where they remained until the 26th of that month: meanwhile Ciudad Rodrigo was blockaded, and Lord Wellington's head-quarters were at Fuentes Guinaldo. When Marshal Marmont advanced to relieve this fortress, the FOURTH remained with their division at St. Payo, watching the passes from Estremadura. In the subsequent manœuvres they were not brought into action with the enemy; and after the retreat of the French army, they were stationed at Guarda, in Portugal.
The enemy being deceived by the seemingly careless winter attitude of the allied army, left _Ciudad Rodrigo_ to the protection of its garrison; and the British commander, profiting by this omission, commenced the siege of this important fortress in the early part of January, 1812 with four divisions; the KING'S OWN remained in quarters at Bobadela, where they had proceeded on the 7th of December. On the receipt of intelligence that Marshal Marmont was collecting his forces to succour the place, the whole army was brought forward and posted in the villages on the Coa, ready to cross the Agueda and give battle. Ciudad Rodrigo was captured by storm during the night of the 19th of January; and the FOURTH were cantoned in the suburbs of that fortress from the 20th of January to the 23d of February.