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.
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 15
Wellington and his staff watched the weather during the first week in December. After three weeks of rain in November, the skies cleared in the first week of December. The November rains had led to the streams reaching flood stage. Now, the waters of those streams were receding.
As each day passed, the roads and fields became drier. Wellington’s engineers assessed that the conditions would be acceptable to attack by December 8.
In the early hours of December 9, a beacon is lit to signal the start of the attack. On the left, 15,000 men set out from St. Jean-de-Luz to follow the coastal road towards Ustaritz. Hope’s 1st Division led with Hay’s 5th following. On the right of the two divisions were the independent brigades of Aylmer, Bradford and Campbell. After crossing the Tanque, during the rest of the day, they drove the French back and into their earthworks at Anglet.
General Hill’s right flank divisions of 13,000 men were to be the primary attack. From their camps at Cambo, responded to the beacon by marching to the river to cross. Further south, Morillo’s Spanish division crossed at Itxassou. Their attack was a feint against the French on Mount Ursoui to hold the French from moving forces north to Cambo.
The 2nd Division and Le Cor’s Portuguese crossed at three fords at Cambo. Although General Foy’s troops defended the bridge at Cambo and the fords with steady fire, the British and Portuguese crossed the Nive’s freezing waters, climbed the bank and set out to secure the crossing points and the village of Cambo. Once they held the bridge, cavalry and artillery crossed to add their weight to the infantry. Under the attack of all arms, the French were driven back and began to withdraw from the area.
The attack at Cambo was daring in its plan and could have been a failure. But, Hill’s team executed so well, that they achieved complete success. Wellington was now able to order both wings of the army to advance north. His units in the center, including the Light Division, would serve to link to the two wings.
At midnight, Sharpe stands with the Prince of Wales Own at their start line. The scene in front of them is lit by the moon. Two days before the night was filled with a full moon. While not full today, it will help the advance. They wait to see the light of the signal to attack. Dally and Harper stand next to him. Harper is the first to see the signal.
“Sir.”
Sharpe looks where Harper points.
“Set them off Dally.”
Dally calls out to the company commanders. The 2/95th is in front of them and will have started north.
Sharpe mounts Sycorax. Today he will ride. Around him he could hear the sounds of his battalion in motion. . Dally mounts his horse and rides behind. They would see first light around six and sunrise near half past seven. The men should be able to move quickly by the moonlight until then. With only eleven miles to travel, with little or no resistance, they should reach their objectives by sunrise.
As they advanced, they would occasionally hear gunshots to their front. At no time did the shots last for long. The Rifles were doing their job to clear the front of the advance.
By three they had reached the village of Arcangues.
Arcangues is a village atop a ridgeline that runs slightly east to west the village is not more than a few houses with a church on the west end of town and a chateau on the east end. Sharpe had not seen the village before. They had passed to the west of here when they first went to Rocha Fort.
Sharpe stops Sycorax and signals for Dally.
“Give the men time to rest. Let’s hear what the 2/95th have found in front of us. What have our scouts heard from in front of them? It’s been quiet for the past half hour.”
“The scouts report that the 2/95th are about five hundred yards in front of us sir. The name of this place means ‘High Rocks Facing East’. The chateau belongs to the Marquis d’Arcangues. Seems he is also the Spanish Marquis de Iranda. Think he would join us?”
When Sharpe doesn’t reply, Dally continues. “The plan is for us to advance to the crest line, Bassussary Ridge, that overlooks a valley. From the map, the road descends into that valley and then runs to Anglet. It is the high ground before the armed camps of Camp Beyris. Kempt’s brigade will follow the road to Camp Beyris. To get to Rocha Fort, from Arcangues a trail leads to the northwest then to a north-south trail that connects with the Barouilhet to Bassussary road. The road runs along the face of Bassussary Ridge. We need to descend the ridge into the valley to reach Rocha.”
Sharpe listens while he surveys the village. The church and chateau would make excellent bastions to guard the road intersection should they need to.
“It’s time for us to leave the road. Have Richardson take the Light Company forward to go with the 2/95th. They know the way across country to Rocha.”
“Send a messenger to Colburne that we are moving on schedule. Time to go so we may reach Rocha by daylight.”
By daylight, they have reached the north edge of Bassussary Ridge.
Sharpe looks from the ridge out over the land below. Major Newcott rides up.
“Good morning Sharpe. We have Rocha Fort. It was empty when we arrived. We reached out to our left and contacted the First Division. They had to fight the French in front of Anglet, but drove them out towards Bayonne. With the Fifth Division, we now have the ground from the Adour south and east to the Nive except for the fortifications around Bayonne.”
“So, the plan was for us to finish here. What are our losses?”
“None, I am happy to say.”
“Sounds like it is time for tea and breakfast.”
Hope believes that the French will be happy to stay in Bayonne and make the British assault their forts. There are many woods and marshes in the area from the Nive to the Bay. He establishes only a defensive line of picquets from Biarritz to Anglet to Arcangues. On the right flank one brigade of 7th Division holds Urdains. On the left Bradford and Campbell’s Independent Portuguese brigades defend. Bradford is deployed the most forward. Campell is kept in reserve. The Light Division holds the center. In total, he deploys about 8,000 men along the line from the Bay to the Nive.
The Prince of Wales Own spent the day resting and waiting. The 52nd and Portuguese move forward to the crest of the ridge. Colburne uses Sharpe as his reserve. They dig in to the west of the church at Arcangues. Sharpe has his men take advantage of the stone walls and hedges that run along the road that runs to the west. Once they have a defense line that meets Sharpe’s approval, the men prepare meals and clean their equipment.
The 2/17th Portuguese hold the end of the line to the west of the Prince Of Wales Own to the marsh. On the other side of the marsh is the village of Barroilhet that will be held by Campbell’s brigade. Hope sent the 5th Division three miles behind the front line to serve as reserve. Optimistic that the French would not attack, he also sends the 1st Division and Aylmer’s independent British brigade ten miles away back to St. Jean-de-Luz.
After Sharpe is satisfied that their defense line is ready, Harper and he spend the day looking after the Prince Of Wales Own to make sure they are dry and fed. Before dark, Sharpe reports to Colborne who has his headquarters in Arcangues with Kempt’s brigade.
That night, D’Erlon sends divisions through Bayonne to the west bank of Nive.
December 10, dawned with heavy rain that started during the night. Soult has nine divisions, on the west side of the Nive against Hope. As soon as it is light, he launches his counterattack. The terrain forces the French into three avenues of attack. – Urdains, Barroilhet and through Bassussary, which was the Light Division’s to control
By 9 am, Soult has eight divisions driving against Hope. To the west, Reille sends two of three divisions against Campbell’s and Bradford’s Portuguese brigades. They drive in the British picquets The forward regiments fall back across the Tanque. None of the units panics. They maintain their discipline.
Reille’s three divisions surge towards Barroilhet. He drives his men hard towards St. Jean de Luz. If they can break through, they can cut the British supply from their supply ports in Spain.
The French fight hard through the woods and ravines that cross the area in front of Barroilhet. These are veteran French divisions. Their latest charge penetrates to the house of the mayor of Barroilhet. General Hope has come forward to organize the defense. While he is riding among the troops, French skirmishers wound and nearly capture Hope.
Before he was wounded, Hope had ordered the 5th Division to come up. Even with the 5th on line, the British are still outnumbered. But, they know how to use the terrain.
On the west-most flank of the British line, Reille had sent Villatte’s and one division from Clausel to attack down coast. With the attack on Barroilhet stymied, he directs these divisions to increase their pressure to break the enemy line.
Villatte sends his leading brigade across the stream to attack up the ridge that forms a ‘thumb’ that points north. Atop that ridge is a British regiment. Villatte’s men go slowly up the hill. He rides forward to drive them.
“My men, we are many. The British are few. Drive, my men drive.”
While he exhorts the men forward, he is struck by a bullet. He is able to stay in the saddle, but his men see that he is wounded. His attack will not go with vigor without him.
Calvet was posted on the north side of the stream. He was ordered to remain there until called forward. He waits.
The British defense is stretched by the multiple French attacks. But, Aylmer’s brigade and the 1st Division come up in time to support the British defenders. Reille continues to attack, but recognizes that in this terrain and weather, they will go no further.
To the east, Clausel tries to flank the British line by attacking down the bank of the Nive. The 7th Division had been placed there. With very good terrain to use, they block the attack before it goes very far.
Clausel has five other divisions. He sends four of them against the Light Division. He keeps one tired division in reserve.
The French attack catches the Rifle battalions, who man the forward lines, by surprise. Fifty of the Rifles are captured before they can react. The others fall back two miles to Arcangues.
Arcangues tops a ridge. At one end of the village is a church and at the other end, a chateau. The British had prepared a defensive line on the twelve hundred yard ridge between the church and the chateau. Marshes are on each end of the line. Hedges and stone walls follow the roads at the summit of the ridge that runs west from Arcangues.
Sharpe woke at dawn. After reviewing the battalion, he ate breakfast. He stands outside with Dally and Harper to savor their tea.
“The Frogs are noisy today, eh, Pat? They hear firing to their front. When the defense was presented, he was worried that it was no more than a screen and that their position would need to be ready for any counterattack from the French. It seems that his battlefield sense was coming to life.
“Dally, The French are making noise to our front and to the left and right. What are we hearing from the 43rd and Campbell’s Portuguese? “
“Nothing yet sir. I sent runners to them and the 52nd as soon as the firing began. It is too much to be only nervous sentries.”
Harper stands nearby. He stands facing to the north with his head at an angle to better hear. “The bastard Frogs are making enough noise. Could be a few divisions of them, sir.”
Sharpe listens too. “Get the men, ready. We are the reserve. We may be called on today before too long.”
Shortly, one of the messengers reports to D’Alembord. “Sir, Kempt sends word that he will move forward to the crest of the ridge in front of Arcangues. Colonel Colburne wishes us to align on Kempt’s left and be prepared for the 52nd to align on our left.”
“Very good, we will advance to the crest keeping our left on the marsh. The Light Company will connect us with the Portuguese. When the 17th and 52nd come back to us, we will dress the battalion to the right.”
“This ridge will be difficult to defend. From the marsh to Arcangues the ridge has four fingers that jut to the north. These can be used to fire into the flanks of any attackers that advance through the valleys between the fingers. They are not wide enough to deploy many men to defend direct attacks on the tips of the fingers.”
“We will form our line at the base of the fingers. The 17th, 52nd and 2/95th are in the valley below us as far north as Rocha Fort. If they fall back, then they can climb the slopes of the fingers. At the crest, they can hold briefly, then fall back into us at four points only.”
“Lieutenant Richardson’s left flank will be at the base of the finger that juts from the marsh.”
“Captains Price, Carline and Smith in that order from west to east will center their companies on the bases of each of the other three fingers. If the other battalions of the brigade withdraw into their companies, they will pass them through and then towards the Light Company to form their own lines.”
Dally issues the commands to move the Prince of Wales forward.
Sharpe advances with the battalion colours to the crest of the ridge. They follow the minor road to the north. They halt where a road from Arcangues connects.
“Here, we will watch behind Captain Carline.”
As they advanced the sounds of fighting to their front grew louder. It is thirty minutes since they first heard the firing. The distance from the piquet line to the ridge would have taken the battalion thirty minutes to march under good conditions. Before they stopped for very long, they could see men in the valley coming towards them.
“Sir, the Frog drummers have come to play us a tune.” Harper has never liked the French drummers’ signals.
“Yes, Patrick. We will have to tell them that you don’t like their tunes.”
“Let them get closer. We’ll drown out their music with the sound of our own.”
Some of the men in the valley start running to climb the ridge. Some wear red coats. Others wear green.
“Harper, take your squad forward to round up any of the 2/95th that come in that were with us yesterday.” I want them on our right with the Grenadiers.”
Last month, Sharpe had given Harper a dozen experienced Irishmen from the battalion to overcome any obstacles that would stop either of his columns during their attack. Since then, Harper, as Regimental Sergeant Major, has kept them together for him to use again. Yesterday, after the Rifles left, Hagman and Harris joined Harper’s squad.
Harper jogs off with his men.
The flow of men up the slopes grows quickly. Before long, Sharpe can see waves of French skirmishers emerge from the gunsmoke. The skirmishers are driving the British units quickly from each position as they withdraw. From the number of skirmishers and the sounds of the drums, he estimates that two French divisions attacked the Light Division front.
Kempt’s brigade is also withdrawing to the ridgeline to Sharpe’s right.
While he watches, a messenger comes to Dally from Richardson.
“Sir, Lieutenant Richardson reports that the survivors from the 17th Portuguese have come into his position. He has turned over his front to Major Rolt.”
“Have him bring the Light Company to us and align on the road. He will be our reserve.”
Dally sends the messenger back to Richardson to bring him to them.
The flow of redcoat soldiers in front of Price’s company has grown to at least half of the 52nd.
“Dally, if Harry is ready to turn over his front to the 52nd, have Harry, Carline and Smith dress their companies to the right onto the other companies. It looks like it is time to compress our front.”
The noise of gunfire is almost continuous now. To the right, French skirmishers are pressing the 43rd hard. The Rifles screen the British line, but the French outnumber them and are driving them back with their more rapid fire. The distance to the edge of the ridge neutralizes the longer range of the Baker rifles.
Harper and his squad rejoin the colours group while Sharpe is watching to the east.
“Sir, all our 2/95th lads and another fifty or so are back with us for this fight. We sent the rest off to our left.”
“Good work Patrick. Have them report to Lieutenant Richardson.”
“Sir, a message from Colonel Colburne. We are to withdraw to the Arcangues-Arbonne road line.”
“Take them back Dally. Have Richardson go last so that the Light Company can screen us. Move the Grenadiers to be our reserve behind our middle.”
The Prince of Wales Own withdraws up the final slope of the Bassussary Ridge. They are now back where they started the day. Here the line companies can use the stone wall that runs along the road as cover. The Grenadier Company has assembled behind them.
“Dally, have, them kneel or lie down behind the wall. Keep them out of sight until we are needed.”
Richardson’s Light Company with the attached Rifles are the last to come back. They remain thirty yards to the front to keep the French skirmishers at bay.
Sharpe watches the French attack. They have come on in column and are pointed at Arcangues. At the crest of the ridge, they have begun to deploy into line. They are too far away for musket fire, but the rifles can pick away at their officers and sergeants. The Rifles with Kempt’s brigade have taken positions in the church next to the Prince of Wales Own.
Harper points to the upper level of the church. “I wish we had that position. That stone church will be hard on the Frogs.”
The French drummers beat the pas de charge to signal the attack. They come on in three rows for each battalion, unlike the British who use two rows when they deploy into line.
When they near one hundred yards from their position, Sharpe commands, “Bring in Richard, then stand the men up. It’s time to let the Frogs know we are here.”
The company commanders call out the commands to prepare the battalion to start their volley fire. Richard, the Light Company and the Rifles withdraw through the line companies to take a place next to the Grenadiers.
With the their own men out of the line of fire, the line company commanders look to Dally to signal that it is time to fire.
Sharpe watches the French advance a few more yards.
“Now Dally.”
D’Alembord raises his arm, them drops it. The bugler signals the call to fire as well.
Up and down the line, the companies begin to fire and reload. The British have trained to fire three rounds per minute in any weather. No other army can match them in the amount of power that their volleys give. All along the line of the Light Division the volleys go out.
Harper grins and shouts over the noise. “The lads are hurting them the way we always do. Even with them in line.”
“Yes, There is a stone chateau at the east end of town. Kempt has his own fort with both the stone buildings and the ground between. They can’t go through us to go around the town. They will have to take it and they will need guns to take the town.”
Even as Sharpe says this, they watch the French bring guns up the road from Arcangues to Bassussary village.
“Sir, I think the French heard you.” Harper points.
The French assault has already lost its movement forward. They begin their own volley fire. With three rows firing the volleys, they can send a lot of lead at the British. Most of their musket balls strike stone or wood of the buildings or wall. Even so, some strike men in the battalion. As those struck fall, the adjacent men close up the gaps to keep their fire concentrated.
After only a few minutes in which the British have fired at least ten times, the French lines start to withdraw towards gun lines.
“I think it will get warm for us here before long. They are setting the guns up beyond where our muskets can hurt them. But they can hurt us.”
“I think Daniel and the lads can hit them.”
“Pat, go get our Rifles. Put them where they can hit those gunners.”
“I’ll bring them back before the guns are even warming up.”
Sharpe watches the French set up the guns. They are behind the skirmishers, but in front of the French infantry lines. He counts sixteen guns. French divisions used 6-pound cannon in division batteries of six guns each. He guesses they are about 450 yards away. This would be more than twice the standard range for the Baker rifles. They would have lots of targets as each battery has nearly ninety men per battery and almost one hundred horses.
Lieutenant Bell with his Rifles, Angel, Harris and Hagman report to Sharpe. Sharpe is happy to see Angel with them as he is nearly as good as Dan at long range.
“Dan, Where do you and the Rifles need to set up to hurt those gunners?”
“We can get a little closer to them over by the church. It is a long way, but I’ve hit rabbits before at this distance.”
“Bell, take your men with Hagman. He is our best shot. Have your men learn from him. I want to put down as many of those gunners and their horses as you can. Coordinate what you are doing with Kempt’s Rifles.”
Bell beams that he and his men can play a role like this. “Immediately, sir.”
Harper watches them go.
“Feeling left out, Pat?”
“No, sir. There will be plenty to do here. Besides, when Pat and the lads start hitting the gunners, I think the French will send their skirmishers to fight back.”
“Yes, you are probably right. We will need to put Richardson’s men out to keep their skirmishers away. Maybe Harry’s company too. He has trained them to skirmish.”
Bell and the Rifles are hardly gone before they are in position to fire at the gunners. The French have begun to fire at Arcangues. Round shot has begun to strike the walls of the chateau and the church. From both of those buildings and from behind the gravestones in the cemetery next to the church, Sharpe can see puffs of smoke from windows as the 1/95th and 3/95th begin to shoot at the gunners too.
The French artillery duel with the Light Division was a battle of round shot versus rifle balls. This should be an unequal fight in favour of the French. But, to fire, the gunners needed to expose themselves to the British.
Round shot repeatedly hits the chateau and church as well as the stone wall, shops and houses between. The 43rd and Rifles were taking casualties from the strikes. But, the Rifles were also hitting back.
Sharpe sees that Bell has had some of the 2/95th load for Hagman. Hagman takes each newly-loaded rifle, carefully aims, then squeezes the trigger. Each time, one of the French gunners goes down.
Skirmishers have come out from the French lines to add their fire into the village and Sharpe’s position.
“Dally, have Richardson and Harry take their companies out to push the Voltiguers back.”
Sharpe wanted to see how the French gunners were suffering. He pulled his telescope and put it to his eye. Before him he could see an occasional gunner spin and fall when struck.
“And, have Bell let Dan and Angel shoot the gunners. Have the others hit their horses.”
Sharpe waits until his skirmishers are out before returning to watch the gunners. With the horses being more and bigger targets Bell’s Rifles begin to score more hits. For more than fifteen minutes, Sharpe watches horse after horse sink to the ground.
The French react by sending more of the Voltiguers forward towards Sharpe. Several men who have been standing along the wall are struck. A few of them wear the green of the Rifles.
Sharpe points at a group of Voltiguers who have focused on Bell’s men. “Have Harry and Richardson drive those Frogs away.”
Dally sends a runner to have their skirmishers relieve the fire on the Rifles.
The two companies of the Prince of Wales Own have fewer men than the French, but still advance by leaps towards the Voltiguers. Again, the British fire faster and impact the French as if they have more than they do. Quickly, the French fall back in the face of the British attack.
With the Voltiguers falling back, his Rifles can fire on the guns and their horses without being hit. Kempt’s Rifles continue to hit the French. With two battalions firing rifles, the number of rounds that hit gunner or horse begins to make a difference.
General Alten has been watching the French attack from a position within Arcangues, but also he rides to the edge of the village to observe Colburne’s brigade. At one point, he rides up to Sharpe.
“Good morning, Sharpe. Hot work today. Two French divisions struck us. We seem to be holding them. Good to have your experience connecting our two brigades.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Alten salutes and then rides off to find Colburne.
By noon, several of the French guns have fallen silent. Without the guns to support them, the French attack grinds to a halt.
Maransin’s and Taupin’s divisions had been attacking the Light Division for several hours. They were tired and needed to rest. Clausel had three divisions that had been brought to the west bank from D’Erlon’s corps. But they were exhausted from the night march through a pouring rain. They were still between Anglet and Arcangues. None was ready to attack.
For the rest of the afternoon, Clausel sent elements of Maransin’s and Taupin’s divisions forward to probe for weaknesses around Arcangues. Many of these fell on the Prince of Wales Own and the 17th Portuguese. During the noon lull, Colburne had pulled the 52nd back to be his reserve. The 17th filled the space to the left of the Prince of Wales Own. Whenever the French threatened to break his line, he as able to send elements of the 52nd in to support any weak spots.
None of the French attacks come with much vigor. The two divisions are tired and realize that to attack the Arcangues position is suicide.
By the end of day, the Light Division line had held. Reinforcements from Hill on the east bank had arrived and were in position to support the Light Division and Hope’s corps.
As the sun sets, Colburne rides up to Sharpe.
“Good evening Sharpe. We had a hot day, didn’t we?”
“Yes, sir.”
“General Alten shared that we faced five divisions. General Hope’s picquets were hit by General Reille’s corps. They almost flanked us on our left. The 1st Division came up in time. Wellington himself sent in the 85th to stop the French. After that, Reille called off the attack. The divisions brought from D’Erlon are too tired to attack energetically
