Sharpe

Wellesley:
Continue, Sir Henry.

Simmerson:
Well, sir, on first sighting the enemy, I naturally gave the order to advance; that's my style, sir. The South Essex crossed over the bridge and engaged the enemy. Major Lennox panicked. So then I fell back in good order and destroyed the bridge, sir. I have written to Horse Guards, sir, to state that the South Essex acquitted itself most commendably in discharging both your general order to engage the enemy, and your particular order to destroy the bridge, sir.

Wellesley:
Did any officer distinguish himself?

Simmerson:
Lieutenant Gibbons led the advance, sir. You may say that he is tied to me by blood. But is it a tie of blood to tie my tongue and rob a brave man of his just reward? No, sir! I move that Lieutenant Gibbons be gazetted captain, sir.

Wellesley:
And Lieutenant Sharpe?

Simmerson:
Lieutenant Sharpe dithered, sir. He was cut off when we destroyed the bridge.

Wellesley:
This is a report from Major Hogan which differs somewhat from your account, Sir Henry.

Simmerson:
Major Hogan is merely an engineer, sir.

Wellesley:
Major Hogan's coat buttons up tight over a number of other duties, Sir Henry. Major Hogan reports a number of losses, Sir Henry. He says you first lost your head, and instead of destroying the bridge, you marched over it. He says you then lost your nerve, and ran from a small French patrol. He says you lost ten men, a major, and two sergeants. He says you finally lost your sense of honour, and destroyed the bridge, cutting off a rescue party led by Lieutenant Sharpe. Major Hogan leaves the worst to the last... [stares] He says you lost the King's Colours.

Simmerson:
The fault was not mine, Sir. Major Lennox must answer.

Wellesley:
[shouting] Major Lennox answered with his LIFE! As you should have done if you had any sense of honour! You lost the Colours of the King of England! You disgraced us, sir! You shamed us, sir! You will answer! [silence] The South Essex is stood down in name. If I wipe the name, I may wipe the shame. I am making you a battalion of detachments; you will fetch and carry. The light company put up a fight, so I will let it stand under the command of a new captain.

Simmerson:
To be commanded by the newly gazetted Captain Gibbons, sir?

Wellesley:
To be commanded by the newly gazetted Captain Sharpe, sir.

[Sir Henry steps closer and speaks in a threatening tone]

Simmerson:
I have a cousin at Horse Guards, sir…and I have friends at Court.

Wellesley:
[unmoved] A man who loses the King's Colours loses the King's friendship. You have two choices: to hide in England or be a hero in Spain. I shall help you to be a hero. We had a skirmish with the French today; tomorrow we shall have a battle. You will be the first to see a French column, sir; it is not a pretty sight. What you do then, sir, is up to you. Good morning.