Sharpe's Storm

Major General [[Edward Barnes (British Army officer)|Edward Barnes]] orders Sharpe to mount a morning diversionary attack across one of the many rivers blocking Wellesley's advance, while the main assault is assigned to the 71st. Sharpe disobeys and assails the French rear, targeting the artillery facing the main attack. He succeeds in capturing the cannons and disrupting the French, resulting in very light casualties for the allies. Peacock, whose men do not see any fighting after he falls off his horse and claims to have fractured his leg, protests to Wellington about Sharpe's flagrant disregard of orders, but is ignored.

Major General [[Edward Barnes (British Army officer)|Edward Barnes]] orders Sharpe to mount a morning diversionary attack across one of the many rivers blocking Wellesley's advance, while the main assault is assigned to the 71st. Sharpe disobeys and assails the French rear, targeting the artillery facing the main attack. He succeeds in capturing the cannons and disrupting the French, resulting in very light casualties for the allies. Peacock, whose men do not see any fighting after he falls off his horse and claims to have fractured his leg, protests to Wellington about Sharpe's flagrant disregard of orders, but is ignored.

Wellington has a new task for Sharpe. He is reunited with an old friend: Joel Chase, the Royal Navy captain who brought him from India back to Europe, just in time to fight in the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] (''[[Sharpe's Trafalgar]]''), though Chase is now a rear admiral. Chase and his flag captain, Crittenden, are ashore to examine how [[pontoon bridge]]s are constructed. Chase confides to Sharpe that Wellington wants the Royal Navy to build a very long bridge across the seaward side of the estuary on which Bayonne is situated. The river [[Adour]] flows into the city from the east, and the terrain to the east is unsuitable for a contested river crossing. Wellington does not have enough men to take the heavily fortified city, so he has chosen to use a pontoon bridge to send his soldiers north of Bayonne to outflank and surround the city. Sharpe, at the personal request of Chase, is assigned to guide and protect the party, which includes Petty Officer Clouter, another of Sharpe's friend. This proves a difficult task, as Chase is irresistibly drawn to the sound of gunfire and artillery, and Sharpe finds himself in the thick of fighting several times.

Wellington has a new task for Sharpe. He is reunited with an old friend: Joel Chase, the Royal Navy captain who brought him from India back to Europe, just in time to fight in the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] (''[[Sharpe's Trafalgar]]''), though Chase is now a rear admiral. Chase and his flag captain, Crittenden, are ashore to examine how [[pontoon bridge]]s are constructed. Chase confides to Sharpe that Wellington wants the Royal Navy to build a very long bridge across the seaward side of the estuary on which Bayonne is situated. The river [[Adour]] flows into the city from the east, and the terrain to the east is unsuitable for a contested river crossing. Wellington does not have enough men to take the heavily fortified city, so he has chosen to use a pontoon bridge to send his soldiers north of Bayonne to outflank and surround the city. Sharpe, at the personal request of Chase, is assigned to guide and protect the party, which includes Petty Officer Clouter, another of Sharpe's friends. This proves a difficult task, as Chase is irresistibly drawn to the sound of gunfire and artillery, and Sharpe finds himself in the thick of fighting several times.

Meanwhile, Wellington is forced to divide his force in half, one on each side of the river [[Nive]]. When one of the two vital pontoon bridges across the river breaks apart, Soult launches a [[Battle of the Nive|heavy attack on the force on the west side of the river]]. Peacock, in his first battle, panics and orders the 71st to retreat from its vital position, then flees. Sharpe countermands his order and manages to hold the line until reinforcements arrive. Peacock is sent home in disgrace. (Cornwell states in his historical notes that Peacock was a real officer who disgraced himself in this manner and was cashiered from the army.)

Meanwhile, Wellington is forced to divide his force in half, one on each side of the river [[Nive]]. When one of the two vital pontoon bridges across the river breaks apart, Soult launches a [[Battle of the Nive|heavy attack on the force on the west side of the river]]. Peacock, in his first battle, panics and orders the 71st to retreat from its vital position, then flees. Sharpe countermands his order and manages to hold the line until reinforcements arrive. Peacock is sent home in disgrace. (Cornwell states in his historical notes that Peacock was a real officer who disgraced himself in this manner and was cashiered from the army.)