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Sharpe's Island


Historical Note



In February 1797, the British leaders in India learned that four months prior, Spain had joined France and the Dutch against Britain. Only Portugal, of countries who were present in the East Indies, remained as an ally.

With this news, Sir John Shore, Governor-General of India, prepared plans against potential threats. One threat was to the security of the East India Company convoys to and from China. Commodore Peter Rainier viewed the Spanish forces at Manila in the Philippines as a threat to this trade and wanted to remove the threat. Shore had come to trust Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Wesley’s judgement on military matters in the short time that he had been in India.

Wesley was asked to prepare a plan for the British force to seize Manila. When Shore reviewed the plan positively, Wesley presumed that he would be asked to lead. However, Major General Sir James Craig was much more senior to Wesley and was chosen instead. Wesley would join the force, but in a lesser role. By April, plans were made to assemble a force to be taken on twenty-three ships to seize Manila.

Craig’s staff planned well, but it took until August to assemble three thousand British and four thousand native soldiers at Madras. One division commanded by Major General John St. Leger sailed from Calcutta for Penang. By the time the expedition sailed, the weather in the region between India and the Philippines would make it difficult to fulfill the mission in the time planned. To be prepared to attack when the weather was favorable, the division was sent to Prince of Wales Island.

While this was happening, Lord Hobart, Governor of Madras, learned that French officers were training Tipoo Sultan’s and other Native Indian princess’ armies at Mysore and Hyderabad. Hobart sent orders overland to recall the expedition. Because the winds were against ships sailing back to India immediately. St Leger’s force had to remain at Prince of Wales Island for three months and was not able to return to India until November.

Arthur Wesley was only twenty-eight years old at this time. He had purchased his officer ranks and had already fought the French. The campaign in the Netherlands had taught him how not to fight. He was determined that any commands he was given, would be prepared. He drafted thirty-six orders that included fitness, cleanliness, logisitcs and military drill. He had the men practice marching and shooting which included using cartridges. Although firing live rounds was expensive, he expected the East India Company to pay. He was personally involved in all aspects of the execution of these orders. He rarely missed drills and came to know the names of every soldier in the regiment.

By the time they left Prince of Wales Island, he had compiled the notes of his experience into a memorandum that he send to his brother, Lord Mornington.

Lord Mornington arrived in India in April 1798. Arthur’s brother took over governing the British assets, Arthur toured the country to visit battlefields from earlier victories and losses and to understand the peoples that they would likely fight. He would put this information to use in the next year.

The forces to be used against Manila were back in India. They would be needed more in India as the threat to the China routes never materialized. Fortunately, they were available and well trained for what was to come in 1799.



Sergeant Hakeswill was not impressed by Wesley, though. When he recruited for the regiment, he had become used to a life of leisure. He traveled from town to town. Had money to buy food, drink and women. Until he returned with men to the depot, he had to answer to only junior children pretending to be ensigns. The ensigns and the men assigned to recruiting feared him. He pretty much did what he wanted. After the regiment returned from the Netherlands, he was put into the light company to replace losses. He tried to rule the company by fear. Sharpe seemed to always foil his moves with many of the men.

On the way from Britain to the Cape of Good Hope, Hakeswill schemed how to squash Sharpe. But, at Cape Town and Prince of Wales Island Sharpe had stood out from the other men so that the officers commended Sharpe.

Hakeswill will have to wait to take his revenge on Sharpe. He knows how to take care of officers’ pets. Captain Hughes is gone. Captain Morris seems more pliable to Hakeswill’s manipulations. Hakeswill will find a time and place to best Sharpe.

Prince of Wales Island is the third island that Sharpe has experienced, if you count England and Ireland. In England, he joined the army to escape after murdering a man. He thought that he would run. But, as time goes by starting in Ireland, he is learning the craft of being a soldier. He likes it. Here on Prince of Wales Island, Sharpe mastered many of the skills to excel as a soldier. Once again he stood out from the rest. The officers and his fellow members of the light company take notice.

The Manila expedition is now back to India. Wesley, Hakeswill and Sharpe have more adventures waiting for them there. They say good bye to Prince of Wales Island. It was Sharpe's island.

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