Sharpe

Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson arrives with his regiment, the South Essex, and Wellesley orders the South Essex to blow up a bridge at Valdelacasa. Aware that Simmerson is incompetent, Wellesley orders Sharpe to see that the mission is a success, in exchange for a promotion to captain.''''Simmerson is furious to learn that Sharpe is not a gentleman and was raised from the ranks. He orders Sharpe to train his men to fire three rounds a minute by nightfall, or they will be flogged. Sharpe and Harper succeed, but this infuriates Simmerson even more. Sharpe has made an enemy.''''The following day, Simmerson orders Captain Lennox to lead the South Essex across the bridge and chase off a small French patrol. However, a large body of French cavalry appears and the men of the South Essex panic and flee across the bridge. As the French cavalry butcher them, Sharpe leads his Chosen Men to the rescue, unaware that Simmerson has ordered the bridge to be blown, so they are trapped on the wrong side. The French capture the King's Colours of the South Essex. The dying Lennox urges Sharpe to avenge this insult by capturing a French imperial eagle.''''A furious Wellesley disbands the South Essex and promotes Sharpe to Captain. Sharpe is later warned that if Simmerson can't damage Wellesley, he will do his best to strip Sharpe of his promotion. Sharpe realises that the only way he can hold his own is by capturing the eagle.moreless