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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Bernard Cornwell’s

SHARPE’S MISSION

Richard Sharpe and the Battle of the Nive

Screenplay Written by Eoghan Harris and Bernard Cornwell.
Novel Adapted by Paul Kaster

PART THREE

1813 November
SAINT-PEE-SUR-NIVELLE

Chapter 14




Sharpe collects the remaining eleven Rifles at the edge of the camp. The men form a semi-circle in front of him.

“Rifles, we’ve been together for five years. We started with forty after that fight at ???. For almost two years we were the only 2/95th troops fighting with Wellington. You were together with us when Harper and I took the Eagle. You went into the breach at Badajoz. You’ve fought in every major battle from Portugal to France. We lost two thirds of those that we started with. YOU have survived.

Although we have been with the South Essex for four years, you still wear the Rifles green. Now, the South Essex is assigned to the Light Division.” Sharpe pauses

The men’s faces light up, then look at each other wondering what is coming next.

We will serve with Col. Colburne’s brigade. He also commands the 2/95th. We will stand side-by-side with our parent regiment. Because you are still Rifles, I’ve seen to it that you continue to be paid from the 95th all these years, even when Sergeant Hakeswill tried to roll you into the South Essex. But, just as you have volunteered five years ago…”

Some of the men chuckle because they volunteered to go with Sharpe only after he defeated Harper in a brawl.

“…it is time for you to choose to stay with the South Essex longer OR to return to the 2/95th.”

After a momentary silence, Perkins looks at Sharpe. “Sir, what happens to us if we stay with the South Essex? Do we have to give up our rifles and our green uniforms?”

“As long as I command, you can keep the rifles and uniforms.”

“When do we have to go? Before this next fight?” Hagman asks.

“I will request to keep you with the South Essex while we serve with the 2/95th. When and if the South Essex is assigned away, then you would rejoin the 2/95th.”

The men nod that they understand the choice they will make.

Sharpe waits to hear any more questions.

“Who wants to go back to the 2/95th?”

All but Hagman, Harris and Harper choose to return to the 95th.

Sharpe steps in front of each that will leave to shake hands.

“Cameron, Carter, Clarke, Green, Harvey, Horrell, Jenkins, Perkins. We fight one more time together. Thank you.”

“Hagman, Harper, Harris. Thank you for staying.”

“I’ll have Captain D'Alembord arrange the paperwork for you to transfer to the 2/95th AND to assure that Hagman, Harper and Harris remain Rifles detailed to the South Essex.”



After dismissing the men, Sharpe heads off to meet with Colonel Colburne. While Sharpe can ride, he often walks when other officers ride. Colburne’s camp is not more than a mile away. As he reaches the camp, he notices that he is walking through tents occupied by men of the 2/95th. They watch him as he walks. After he has passes them, some point to his uniform and the badge he wears for having been in the breach at Badajoz. They know that none of the current 2/95th was there. Few men in the regiment would remember him from five years before.

At Colburne’s tent, he reports to the clerk to schedule a time to meet with the colonel. The clerk checks the papers

“Colonel Colburne can see you in forty-five minutes.”

“Where is the mess?”

“Two tents down that row.”

“Thank you. I’ll return in thirty minutes.”

Sharpe heads off to the officers’ mess. Although he dreads what he may face there, he would like to get a mug of tea to fend off the damp chill of the day.

Sharpe enters the mess tent. Five captains and lieutenants and a sergeant who is acting as a steward are present. They look up as he enters. They all note that he wears Rifles green and the rank of major.

They all salute him.

“Good morning, gentlemen.”

“May I trouble you for a mug of tea?”

“One of the captains responds.” Yes, sir. Spencer, get the Major tea.”

The sergeant goes to the table that has pots and dishes on it. “Sir, milk? Sugar?”

“Yes, both.”

Spencer wipes out a mug, pours tea and milk and spoons sugar into it. He approaches Sharpe with the mug. The steam rises from the mug.

Sharpe blows across the top of the mug before taking a sip.

The officers look at him while he drinks. One of the captains approaches him.

“Sir? Captain Martin.”

“Captain Martin.”

“Sir, you wear the green and of our 2/95th. Have you come to join us?”

Sharpe looks at Martin and then to the others. “I am Major Richard Sharpe. I came to the Peninsula with the 2/95th. Thirty men and I were separated from the regiment during the retreat to Corunna. Since then, we have fought with the Prince of Wales’ Own Volunteers. Now, I command that battalion.”

One of the lieutenants steps forward. “Sir, you wear the Valiant Stormer Wreath. Have you been fighting long?”

Sharpe realizes that none of them know or attests to whom he is and that he is not a ‘gentleman’ officer. “Yes, we have fought the French since Portugal.”

“Will you be fighting with us?”

“The Prince of Wales’ Own has been assigned to this brigade. Yes, we may fight together.”

Sharpe sips at his tea while they have been talking. He looks into the mug. “Thank you for the tea. What is your name Lieutenant?

“Bell, sir.”

“Pleased to meet you Bell. Maybe we will be on the field together soon.” He turns and leaves the tent.

What had he expected as a reception? Those men are young and looking for advancement in a war that is almost over. They seemed eager to fight, as so many others before have been. How many of them will live to see the end. Perhaps he is getting old with such thoughts.

He walks to Colburne’s tent. At the scheduled time, the clerk shows him to the tent entrance.

Sharpe steps into the tent, salutes the colonel, then tucks his hat under his arm.

“Major Sharpe, Prince of Wales’ Own Volunteers reporting, SIR.”

“Stand easy, Sharpe. Welcome.”



John Colburne first reported to the Peninsula in 1808 with Sir John Moore. Like Sharpe he went into Spain with Moore, but with the 52nd Light in the Light Division. Both the 52nd and the 95th fought in the rear guard of Moore’s army in the retreat to Corunna. Colburne was wounded at the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo and went home to England to recuperate. Last year he returned to the 52nd at the siege of San Sebastian. Since then he has commanded Light Division’s second brigade.

“Well, Sharpe, you’ve been assigned to me. I welcome the additional veterans. I just sent another company of the 2/95th off to Graham in the Netherlands. You fight your men as light bobs, eh?”

“Yes, sir. When the fight needs us to skirmish. Mostly we have stood in line.”

“Good, good. I have the 52nd Light, five companies of the 2/95th with the 1/17th and 2/17th Portuguese line and 1st Caçadores. The Caçadores are like your battalion. Only their Tiradore companies have rifles the others have muskets. They have five companies. How many can you field?”

“Sir, we have eight companies of about seventy men each.”

“Good, good. This will give us about two thousand men. With the 52nd, we will have many more in red coats. The Frogs don’t respect the brown uniforms of the Portuguese as much. We will be the left of the Light Division. Kempt’s Brigade with the 43rd and 1/95th and 3/95th have the right.

“I want your Prince of Wales’ to lead the attack towards Anglet. I hear that you have been up there. Know the terrain up there, do you?”

“Yes, sir. We just returned from blowing the magazine there.”

“Good, good. It is always good to have a sense of the land that you will fight on.”

The clerk enters the tent to announce that the colonel’s next appoint is ready.

“Good to have you with us, Sharpe. What is the date of your majority?”

“December 1812, sir.”

“Then you will be second senior to Newcott. Both the Portuguese majors are senior, but they are captains only in our army. They too came from the 52nd. We will meet with all the commanders tomorrow at ten o’clock to lay out the plans.”

“Thank you, sir.”

As Sharpe turns to leave, another officer dressed in green enters.

“Sharpe, may I introduce you to Major Amos Newcott of the 2/95th?”

Sharpe stops in front of Newcott. “Pleased to meet you.”

“As I am to meet you.” Newcott replies.

Sharpe turns to Colburne then looks to Newcott. “I have eleven men of the 2/95th with me since Corunna. Eight of them want to return to the 95th, but to serve with the Prince of Wales’ Own for this battle. The other three want to remain with me until the war is finished. Will you agree to let me keep these eleven men and then accept the return of eight to you, major?”

Newcott thinks briefly. “Yes, be glad to get your veteran ‘wayward sheep’ back into the fold. I agree to take them back, but let them fight with Prince of Wales’ Own one more time before they return.”

“Thank you, major.”

Sharpe turns again to Colburne, “By your leave, sir?” then leaves.



The next day Sharpe reported to Colburne’s tent at ten minutes before ten. Colburne’s adjutant showed him into the tent and a stool to await Colburne and the others. By ten four other majors entered the tent. Sharpe greeted Newcott as the second to arrive. Sharpe thinks “The Rifles. First into the field, last out.”

Next to enter is a major wearing the red coat and buff facings of the 52nd. The major greets Newcott then turns to Sharpe. “Major Charles Rowan of 52nd” Sharpe shakes his hand and introduces himself. While they shake hands, two more majors wearing the blue uniforms of the Portuguese Army enter the tent.

“Ah, Sharpe is it? I am Major John Rolt of 17th Portuguese.

The second major steps forward after Rolt. “Major Kenneth Snodgrass of 1st Caçadores.”

Colburn enters and greets the majors.

“Gentlemen, please join me at the map table.”

In front of them is a map of the land from Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle to Bayonne.

“We will attack with the Prince of Wales’ Own on the left and 1/17th on the right. 52nd will follow Sharpe and 2/17th will follow 1/17th. 2/95th and 1st Caçadores will deploy in front of the leading battalions”.

“Sharpe what can we expect from here to Rocha Fort?”

Sharpe points to the map. “Sir, our Light Company followed this route to Rocha. The route was undefended to the Fort.”

He traces a finger from Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle to the west of Arcangues and Bassussary then to Rocha.

“We traveled two days to travel the eleven miles. If there is no opposition, our force can reach Anglet in one night.”

Colburne looks at the map, then turns to the others. “Questions?”

Rowan asks. “When will we attack?”

“Within a week. The Peer will let us know soon.”

“Anything else? Nothing? Then, you are dismissed.”

Sharpe and Newcott leave the tent together. Outside, Newcott talks to Sharpe.

“I’ll give you at least one company to keep your wayward Rifles company.”

“We appreciate the extra men.”

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