Sharpe’s Battle

On patrol, Sharpe and his riflemen rout a French patrol that had terrorized a Spanish village. Two French captives are taken alive, and Sharpe has them shot in front of him. The defeated commander Loup vows revenge as he rides away.

The Real Compania Irlandesa arrives to garrison a forward fort near the French lines. Wellington distrusts their loyalty and assigns Sharpe to train the unruly troops, placing him under Colonel Runciman.

Kiely’s wife Lady Kiely and his mistress Doña Juanita arrive at the camp, injecting political tension into the Irish company. Juanita is later revealed to be a French agent who uses her position to manipulate loyalties.

Sharpe immediately begins intensive training with the new recruits and oversees strengthened fortifications around the fort. He emphasizes rifle discipline and defensive readiness to withstand a French assault.

Loup launches an assault on the fort, but Sharpe's preparations and the Irish garrison hold the position. The French are forced back, and the fort remains secure.

After the defense, Sharpe proposes a quick, surprise strike on Loup's headquarters to end the threat fast. The plan is approved by Kiely, Runciman, and Juanita, who recognizes it as a chance to prove the unit's value.

Kiely learns Lady Kiely is pregnant and tries to keep her safe by sending her away from the front. She is captured by the French, increasing the urgency of Sharpe's mission.

Juanita reveals her true identity as a French agent and delivers Loup's ultimatum: Sharpe's men must attack now, then be abandoned to secure Lady Kiely's life. The loyalty and morale of the Irish troops are put to the test.

The assault begins and Sharpe fights his way toward Kiely, who initially refuses to act without orders. Sharpe is shot in the arm by Juanita, and Kiely decides to rebel and join the attack.

With Kiely now in the fight, the assault resumes and the Irish Company joins Sharpe in a decisive attack. Harper, temporarily in command, pretends to be dead to deceive the French. Perkins is killed by O'Rourke during the battle, fueling Harper's thirst for revenge.

As the battle closes, Lord Kiely is killed by Loup while attempting to free his wife, and Loup is slain by Sharpe in return. Lady Kiely becomes a widow and decides to leave the country.

The surviving riflemen bury Perkins next to his lover Miranda, whom Juanita had murdered earlier. They salute Perkins and Sharpe takes a final look at the grave before moving on.