Disclaimer: These are works of fan-fiction created for entertainment. It is not the intention of the author to infringe on anyone's copyright. No rights infringement intended. Warning: General Audience

The Sharpe Fan Fictions of Paul K.

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Sharpe's Choice Richard Sharpe and the
Battle of VIMEIRO

Chapter 15
VIMEIRO
August 21, 1808


Shortly after midnight, a German cavalry sergeant of 20thLD raced into the camp to find Wellesley’s quarters. SHORNCLIFFE June, 1808 The headquarters pickets send him to Wellesley's quarters.
How may I help you, sergeant?
Mein GEN ur al, I report that many battalions of French come from Torres Vedras. Mein hauptmann says dat he dinks that zee haben zech zehn infanterie und funf cavalerie.
How far?
Zwei miles, mein herr.
Thank you, sergeant. You may return to your unit.
The sergeant clicks his heels and leaves.
Wellesley addresses his staff. '"Gentleman. It appears that Junot has come to us. If he is three miles on the road from Torres Vedras, he can be here by dawn. From that location, he will come directly south upon Vimeiro village. Fane and Anstruther remain at Vimeiro. Hill will hold the ridge alone to our south. The other five brigades move to the ridge to the west of Vimeiro by the road between Vimeiro and Maceira. Ferguson to form the left end of our line on Lorinhou. Craufurd, Nightingall, Bowes and Acland to follow him. Acland to be the right end of the line above us and with sight to Vimeiro."
writes while Wellesley talks. When he finishes, he gives his original to his aide to make copies.
waits until the copies are made to speak. "Permission to carry orders, sir?"
knows that is eager to prove his courage to his uncle.
Take these to Nightingall. Return to us after.
takes the orders and goes.
Wellesley watches.
Boy would learn more if he served with his regiment. Too new. Won't learn much with me here. Promised brother. Headstrong. See what tomorrow brings him.


Sharpe rose before the sun was up. Major Travers had sent Creagh to wake Sharpe.
“German cavalry sergeant came to Wellelsley at midnight. Reported that French are coming for us from Torres Vedras. Should arrive within an hour or two, he estimated. Major expects that we will be busier than at Rolica. Likes how ready you were to support us then. With us in front of the village and you here behind it, wants to make sure you can bring us reloads as quick as possible.”
“Tell the Major we will be there when he calls. I’ll move forward to that slope on the hill to be closer.” He points to his left. The ground rises from the road to a long ridge to the ocean side of the village.
“With the major on the hill with the village, I can see any signal that he or you send to me.”
Creagh stops before he asks how Sharpe will see them. He remembers that Sharpe has a very good telescope.
“Moving to slope. Will watch for signal. Will bring supplies quick to us. I’ll give him your reply.”
Sharpe watches Creagh leave.
He looks to Stiner and the mule handlers. All of them are still sleeping.
“First light is maybe an hour away. They can sleep. Will be a busy day for us.”


Before dawn, Captain Murray with Sergeant Williams leading the next group of pickets, visited each post. At each he greeted the men. Williams saw to relieving each of the night watch with two men fresh from sleeping. Cooper and Harper were the final pair.
As with each post, Murray greeted the men. “Good morning, men."
Sergeant Williams relieves the men as Murray speaks.
Go eat, drink and catch some sleep. Cavalry came in last night to report that the French march to meet us.. Major wants us ready. Expect that the French plan to join us to dine at midday.” He pauses before the word dine. “This time we shall host them. Let’s be ready to show them a warm reception, eh?” “Can’t wait sir.” Cooper replies. “Harper here loves a good party. Will there be drink, sir?” He looks at Harper. “Maybe after. Only tea for now. Off with you.” Sergeant Williams barks orders to the new pickets and then to Cooper and Harper. Murray smiles. “Four days ago, we showed that we can attack. Today we learn if we can receive.” He watches Cooper and Harper trot away in front of Williams. Sergeant ??? gives Harris a pile of shoes to mend. "Some of the lads' boots didn't fair well. Should have time for you to use your kit to mend some of them.
"Yes, sergeant." He had hoped to sleep before the French arrived.


Dawn came, but the French didn't. Wellesley wondered if the cavalry had really seen the French. He used a glass to look to the north and east for signs that the French were there.
"More cavalry would be useful now." His cavalry scouts are still out.
. Send one of your ADC's to find the cavalry scouts. Have them report what has become of the French.
looks to his group of lieutenants.
Somerset!
Sir?
Go find the cavalry vedetts on the road to Torres Vedras. Learn what has become of the French and return.
Sir.


By seven o’clock, Sharpe had Stiner rouse the mule handlers, eat and move to their new location on the slope of the ridge to his left. No one else had claimed any land there, so Richard chose to locate them so that they were half the way to the top, behind the line of sight from the roads to the north and east, but that he could watch to ground to the front and to the hill were Travers and the companies were deployed.
Shortly after seven, he thought he saw motion to the north east. He used his telescope to see what was moving.
He could see officers leading columns of men. The men wore white jackets of what seemed like a light fabric.
“White jackets and pants?”Spanish regiments wear white uniforms, Spanish? French?”
He used the telescope to look more closely as they columns marched towards them.
“Looks like blue coats rolled up on their packs.” He knew that the uniforms were wool, “In this heat, heavy wool is no good.” He thought of their own British uniforms and how the troops have struggled on the march south.
Our men wear wool. At least today they don't have to wear powder wigs or stocks.
Word had come with Acland and Anstruther that Horseguards had done away with both.
“Have to be French.”
As they came on, he tried to guess the numbers. “See colors for at least sixteen battalions. Could be twenty.. Maybe same number of guns. And much more cavalry than we have. Going to be an exciting day.”


While Sharpe watches the French, Arthur Wellesley watches them too. After about an hour, Somerset has not returned, but dust to the north was seen. The first horses of the French cavalry could be seen to the east of Toledo village.
Junot uses his cavalry to screen his infantry and guns. He sends a large column down both sides of the road. Fane and Anstruther will face nearly equal numbers.
To Campbell his aide-de-camp, “It appears Junot wants to turn our left to separate us from the sea. Send word to Acland, Bowes and Nightingall to move in succession from their current positions to join Ferguson to that ridge east of the town, I want them looking down on the French when they come. Have Craufurd move to support Trant should the French send a force to the coast. Hill can remain on his ridge. He can handle what ever Junot may send to him. I’ll meet the others on their ridge to show them where I want them,”
Campbell finishes writing what Wellesley has told him, He makes a copy, then he gives the messages to two other officers. They each ride off separately to assure that at least one of them will deliver the message.
As they watch, Somerset returns to report. "Sir, the cavalry say that the French are before us. And, they have sent another force to the northeast to strike our left flank.
Wellesley has seen the flanking force, but is satisfied that Ferguson and the other brigades will be sufficient to meet that force.
Thank you Somerset. Return to if you please.
To his staff, Wellesley "Gentlemen, let's treat the French to breakfast. See to your commands."


Fane deploys his brigade in front of Vimeiro in skirmish order. 2/95th deploys on the left. ;
Major Travers received his orders from General Fane to deploy in skirmish order in front of Vimeiro village on the left of the brigade's front. He gave the orders to his captains to move forward from their camps.
Captain Murray deploys his company into skirmish pairs. He stands behind them. In his hand, he holds his sword. Rifle officers carry a saber. But, Murray carries a sword. As a younger officer, he had served with the 6th Dragoons and had learned how to use a sword. When he came to the Rifles, he continued to carry the sword. He believed that the sword put the fear of God into the French. Today he would get to prove his belief.
To his front, Murray could see trees and scrub bushes to the sides of the road. He estimated that he woods were 900 yards from his men's forward positions. The redcoats of Fane and Anstruther were on the hill and in the village behind him. He knew that to their right, the Rifles of the 60th were in skirmish order to complete their skirmish line around the hill the front of the hill.
Let the French come. We are ready.
Even as he thought about what was to happen, he could hear the beat of drums and shouts of 'Vive la France!'. Cavalry appeared at the edge of the woods and were followed shortly by gun teams. The guns unlimbered and set up to fire on Vimeiro hill. When they fired, the balls sailed over Murray's men as they flew on the way to Vimeiro. He turned to see what effect the guns were having.
No redcoats showing. Must be waiting behind he hill crest. French will waste their cannon's on the dirt.
The sound of the drums grew louder until he could see the French infantry appear.
"They come in columns." He counted two columns, one on each side of the road. As they came on, he could see that a second column followed the first.
Thirty men across. Maybe fifty rows deep. Fifteen hundred men. Only sixty can fire at once. My company of one hundred can outnumber them.
He is eager to order his men to fire.
The French came at a steady pace. Behind Murray, the few British guns opened fire. Round shot flew towards the French. A few hit and gashed holes in the columns. The French closed ranks and continued. As they reached four hundred yards, the French sent their skirmishers to the front.
Soon, soon. We will hit them before they can hit us.
When the skirmishers reached two hundred yards from his teams, Travers gave the order to fire. His bugler signaled the company commanders who blew their whistles. The crack of Baker rifles was added to the noise of the drums and cannons.
More than forty rifles fired from Murray's men. One man from each pair would fire. Then reload. The second would watch for any enemy and then shoot when the first was reloaded. Murray could see French skirmishers falling each time his men shoot. The French kneel to return fire, but none of their fire hits any of his men.
We can hit them at two hundred yards. They ave little chance to hit us until they advance another hundred yards. They will, but they will have fewer men by then.
The French columns continued so the French skirmishers had to advance too. When the columns reached two hundred yards distance, Murray blew a signal on his whistle. This went to his men selected as the best shots. They were now to choose officers and sergeants in the column to shoot. Murray's other men would continue to engage the French skirmishers.
Daniel Hagman and Harris heard the whistle, as did Cooper and Harper. They were four of Murray's men chosen because they were better marksmen than most of the company. The pairs fought ten yards apart, but could communicate and support each other. Cooper called out to the others.
Captain wants us to fire on the column. Dan, you look for officers. Harper and I will find the sergeants.
Hagman nods to Cooper, lifts his rifle to his shoulder, quickly scans the French column. On the left of the column he finds what appears to be an officer and pulls his trigger. The Frenchman falls into the man next to him in the column which briefly disrupts the file of men as they march.
Harris calls to Cooper. "Dan got his first, Coop."
Cooper waves that he heard but takes his own shot.
"Here, Dan." Harris hands Hagman his rifle. Although Harris is a very good shot. Hagman is better. When they are to shoot at individual men, Harris and Hagman have agreed that Hagman will shoot and Harris will reload.
When the French near one hundred yards, Murray blows another series of whistles. His men withdraw fifty yards to find new positions. They repeat this as the French advance. The French continue to lose their own skirmishers, officers and sergeants as they come on. Yet, the drums continue to beat and the men shout 'Vive la France!'
Murray pulled his men back steadily. He noticed that some pairs were retiring with one man supporting the other.
French have some shooters too.
After four withdrawals, they reached the main British line. Travers pulls his men to the left of the 50th regiment and prepares to fight in line.
As the French columns approach, they are faced by the six regiments of Fane and Anstruther. More than two thousand muskets and rifles of the front ranks of the line face only two hundred muskets of the front ranks of the French columns. At one hundred yards, the British start to fire. From the right of the line each company fires into the French and then the next to their left. After the front rank fires, the second rank fires while the first reloads. For minutes, the fire is continuous into the columns. The white-clad French drop in dozens. The rows behind continue to march forward but are then too shot down. The French discipline in the veteran units is so strong that the columns continue and one even attempts to deploy into line. But the British fire is constant and hits these new ranks as they advance.
Murray watches as his men fire.
"We're not as quick as the muskets, but we are hitting them too. They can't take much more of this." He notes how many bodies have piled up.
When the French pause, he notices that away to his right, two of the redcoated regiments have advanced with bayonets on their muskets.
Cold steel should finish this.
As he watches, the French columns disintegrate as the men turn and run to their rear. The French gunners flee too and leave their guns.
Hold your line men. Hold your line. We will wait here. Let the others send them off. We may be called to go in front again.
Travers rides up to Murray as the British recall the troops to rebuild the line.
Well done Murray. Losses?
Dozen only wounded.
Will have Sharpe bring up cartridges. Don't see this being over yet.
No, sir. French still have guns and cavalry to our front.


Sharpe has watched the French attack from his position on the hill.
French march fine. Columns are no good against our lines. The men held. Drums and shouting may scare other armies. Not ours.
When the French flee, he watches to where Travers agreed to send his signals. They had agreed to use colored flags to communicate what Sharpe should bring forward. Red for cartridges. Yellow for food and water. Black for carts for wounded. With his glass he sees Travers man hold a red flag. He quickly goes to Stiner.
Major wants cartridges Stiner. Wait here with the other mules. I'll take the cartridges to him.
Sir, will remain here until you return.
Sharpe takes the four mules with the cartridges and their handlers. Although the mules resist going quickly, he has the handlers move them as fast as they will go. No more than fifteen minutes after Travers signaled, Sharpe delivers the reloads for the men.
Thank you Sharpe. What do you see from your position on the hill?
Sir, French broke and ran. But, they fell back to their cavalry. Can see guns and flags of maybe four more battalions with the cavalry.
So, may see another attack of the size of this one.
Travers thinks on what the French may do.
Smart not to pound the same spot. May try our right, or here on our left. Go back to your spot on the hill. My man will watch for you to signal if the French come for us.
Sir, signal?
Hold your hat on your saber.
Sir
Sharpe will use his bayonet sword because he carries a rifle, unlike the other officers.
Sharpe gathers his mule handlers to return to their camp.
Stiner, I'm going back on the hill. I'll return when the Major wants more from us.
He then goes back to the hill. This time he goes further to the top to see better. When he reaches a good vantage point, he uses his glass to find Travers' man. The other is looking for Sharpe. Sharpe waves an arm until the other signals that he has been seen.
At this new spot he sees the men of Acland's brigade. To the front are riflemen. He had heard that some companies of the first battalion had joined with Acland.
If French come this way, they will be between us and have to advance up the hill.
Another French attack forms and goes in but against Anstruther's men who quickly send them running with good volley fire and the bayonet.
After a pause, the French form again. This time they come to Travers' side of the line only. Sharpe puts his had on his sword bayonet and holds it above his head. He looks to Travers' man until he sees that the man has seen his signal.
The French come closer to his hill than the other attacks. Acland has some of the British guns. These guns are firing a new shell designed by Shrapnel. The shell explodes over the heads of the French and mows them down with fragments. Yet they come on. They bring their own guns. These French succeed in advancing around Vimeiro Hill and threaten the village Sharpe looks down the hill to his camp.
Acland has an opportunity to hit these French in the flank. Should go soon.
Shortly he realizes that the French are in a blind spot to Acland.
Can't see them.
He doesn't know where to find Acland. He can see the Rifles to his front. The opportunity to hit the French is now. He runs to the front of the first group of Rifles.
Rifles! To me! Rifles! To me!
He then blows the call to advance on his whistle.
Captain <1/95C> calls out "Who orders us."
One of the Rifles answers "Mr. Sharpe, sir."
Sharpe?! What the devil is he about?
<1/95C> moves towards Sharpe. As he nears, he can see the French that Sharpe is pointing to.
<1/95C> blows his own whistle to start his men forward.
As the the two companies of Rifles move, General Acland rides up. Before he can question them, he sees the French. To his aide, "Have the men advance and engage those French."
The aide rides off to command Acland's two battalions.
Sharpe is with the lead Rifle teams. He is alone so fires then observes what is happening. From the other side of the French, he sees Travers' men firing at targets there. Acland has also brought his guns to bear on the French columns.
Lead ranks of the French reach and move into Vimeiro village. Ox carts that had camped between his camp and Vimeiro are scrambling to get away from the oncoming French. Many of the cart drivers abandon their carts and run.
Stiner knows to evade the French if they reach him. Need to stop them soon.
As he watches, the French stop and begin to fall back. At the same time, Sharpe hears bugles in the valley. From the direction of Maceira, Light Dragoons with the Portuguese cavalry descend on the French.
That should do it.
The French panic and run. Again they abandon their guns as they go. Some of Acland's and Fane's men pursue too.
Sharpe lets Acland's men go without him. He slowly walks back to his observation point to watch for any signals from Travers.
It is another hot day so he finds a place to sit and to drink.
While he rests, a group of horsemen approach. They pause near him to observe the flow of the cavalry.
Blast! Taylor has gone too far. The dragoons outnumber him. See how they have defeated Taylor. We shall have to cover their retreat and assure the dragoons don't catch the infantry. Order recall for all, if you please.
Wellesley watches the staff riders go and then relaxes in his saddle. He scans the field when he notices the Rifleman sitting nearby.
Sharpe?
Sir.
What say you of our battle?
Before he can answer, Acland rides up.
Acland?
Sir, the French have gone. I am told that this officer here alerted us in time to strike them when they were ill prepared for us.
Sharpe?
French came on in blindspot. Called attention to them, sir.
Sharpe, you find ways to be where you make a difference.
Sir.
Well done, Sharpe. Now gentlemen, it sounds as if Ferguson is engaged. Shall we see what is about there?
Sharpe watches them go and returns to his seat. Only a few minutes later he sees Travers' man signal to bring forward food and water.
Well, let's see how far away Stiner and my mules are. Did they stay or run with the cart people?
Sharpe sets off to find out.


Murray recalled his men when the cavalry were recalled. Some of the French dragoons caught some of his men as they fell back.
How's your arm, Hagman?
Nothing brown paper and parrafin oil won't cure, sir.
Murray nods then moves to his other men. Some of the others were not as lucky. The French sabers claimed half a dozen. The French skirmishers had killed three more and wounded a dozen.
Almost a fifth of us lost. Turned back the French. Good lads. Know their business. Showed that they can stand against the French.
Murray sees that the supply mules are arriving.
Time to refresh lads. Food and drink are here.


The battle was over by noon. Generals Ferguson, Nightingall and Bowes had defeated the French to their front. Fourteen guns had been captured. One French brigade was trapped from rejoining Junot.
Wellesley met with General Burrard who now commanded Wellesley.
"Sir Harry, now is your time to advance. The enemy are completely beaten, and we shall be in Lisbon in three days. We have a large body of troops which have not been in action; let us move them from the right on the road to Torres Vedras, and I will follow the French with the left.”
No, General Wellesley. We shall remain here. There are 120 wounded that we need to give care. The cavalry were few to start and we have fewer to meet the numerous French cavalry. And our artillery horses are fatigued. No, no sir. We shall advance only when we may do so with adequate supply and maintain access to the sea. General Dalrymple will join us tomorrow. We shall see what he desires.
Wellesley departs.
"Supply? We have supply. We can finish Junot here.

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