On the following day came the long-awaited orders to move, and the 7th Division, marching through Sabugal and Alfayates, reached Guinaldo on the 13th January, and thence pushed on towards Ciudad Rodrigo. The division, however, was not destined to take part in the actual siege operations, or in the terrific assault which terminated them, its special duty being to stand off and cover the siege of the fortress by guarding the passes of the Sierra de Gaeta against an inroad by the enemy from that direction. The 51st, with their headquarters at the village of Pajo, furnished four officers' piquets on the mountains in front of the two principal passes, in situations fully exposed to the rigours of winter, the ground covered with several feet of snow, and wolves howling round the sentries throughout the night. Yet in after years the officers looked back on this unpleasant duty almost with pleasure, remembering only that, when not on piquet, they enjoyed excellent woodcock shooting! Meanwhile Wellington had pushed on the siege works with astounding rapidity, had effected practicable breaches several days earlier than he expected, and on the evening of the 19th January assaulted and carried Ciudad Rodrigo. Then the 7th Division, no longer required at the passes, was withdrawn to the vicinity of the fortress. In a letter, written from _Fuente de Guinaldo on the 27th January 1812_, Major Rice says-- "We quitted our Alpine abode yesterday, and have approximated a little to Rodrigo. It was conjectured that, upon the fall of that place, the army would make some forward movement--Salamanca at least; and some were so sanguine as to have flattered themselves to have spent the remainder of the winter at Madrid. Such an _événement_ would be rather agreeable than otherwise, particularly to me, who am such an admirer of the Spanish signoras. We heard yesterday of the sad reverses of the Spanish patriots under that obstinate old fool Blake--complete defeat and himself taken prisoner. Valencia is also fallen--to complete the tale of woe. The taking of Rodrigo will not compensate for so much disaster, as it is impossible, unless the Spaniards gain some ground, that our small aid can be of ultimate use. Rodrigo is fast being put into a state of defence. How it is to be garrisoned, or by what troops, I do not know--Spaniards, I presume. Our loss at Rodrigo has been rather severe, as you will see by the 'Gazette.' Two generals out of pocket, and poor Craufurd[65] has died. He was wounded in the vitals, mostly fatal in such cases. Who would not be a soldier when so pleasant a fate is in store for him? We are all now pretty tranquil, and I suppose shall remain so for a short time--until Marmont, with his hordes, gets in motion."