Sharpe's Regiment1996

Major General Ross:
Bloody day, Sharpe, bloody day. [hands him a flask] How many have you lost?

Major Richard Sharpe:
[over the cannon fire] Thirty today sir.

Major General Ross:
And how many have you got left?

Major Richard Sharpe:
Hundred and twenty can still do duty. Eighty six still in strength. But maimed or sick, though, they'll be made to go to hospitals.

Major General Ross:
You're expecting replacements of course?

Major Richard Sharpe:
Yes sir.

Major General Ross:
From the Second Battalion, Chelmsford? [Hands Sharpe a letter] Lord Fenner, Secretary of State at War, works for the Secretary of State of War, doesn't know what a war is, of course. Politicians, Sharpe, they're not fit to lick your jakes out!

Major Richard Sharpe:
[looks at the letter] What am I supposed to see, sir?

Major General Ross:
Down at the bottom, some mention of the South Essex.

Major Richard Sharpe:
[reads] Second Battalion now a Holding Battalion.

Major General Ross:
Few boys perhaps. Good man waiting on replacement if you're lucky.

Major Richard Sharpe:
[reads further] No draft available. [Looks up] But there were eight recruiting parties last I heard!

Major General Ross:
It can't be black and white, Fenner's said you've got no replacements, so there you are.