Title: |
Sharpe's Rifles |
 |
Author: |
Bernard Cornwell |
|
Category: |
Literature |
|
Rating: |
||
Date Reviewed: |
March 28, 2024 |
Sharpe's Rifles begins with Major Don Blas Vivar leading a ragtag company of cazadores (Spanish soldiers) across frozen mountains in the depths of winter of 1809. It is one of the coldest winters that Spain has experienced, and Vivar's men struggle against the fierce elements. Pursuing them is a regiment of French Dragoons, equipped with horses. Led by a clever commanding officer, the French are dogged in their pursuit. Vivar's men carry with them a strongbox lashed to the back of a mule - and whatever is hidden within is evidently coveted by both the Spaniards and the French. The scene shifts to the British army, in demoralizing retreat from Napoleon's forces. The British have been routed and are desperately trying to make the northern coast, where they hope that British ships will carry them to safety. Slowing down the oncoming French is the British rearguard, including the green-jacket men of the 95th Rifles. Oddly enough, the 95th has a lieutenant quartermaster who carries his own rifle - this is highly unusual - a quartermaster is expected to carry a clipboard that tracks the supplies of the army. This lieutenant, of course, is Richard Sharpe, who once was a soldier himself before being promoted in the earlier volumes for extraordinary acts of courage under fire. The other officers view Sharpe with contempt and bemusement - who can trust a lowly born officer, one that did not purchase his commission, a man without a drop of noble blood? The British cross a river. The rearguard is ordered to hold at the bridge for a while, which will delay the French advance. Armed with rifles instead of muskets, the 95th soldiers are much more accurate in their fire, the French are wise not to charge forward. But wait - the French are already on this side of the river? These men, of course, are the French soldiers in pursuit of Major Vivar. The 95th is trapped, and only desperate action allows them to blunder up into the hills to survive. But now they are cut off from the rest of the fleeing British army, they are now trapped in Spain. Even worse, Captain Murray has taken a mortal wound, which leaves Lieutenant Sharpe as the only surviving officer. Naturally, Major Vivar's men and Sharpe's join forces in the mountains. Vivar knows the countryside, and the Spanish provide him with provisions. Left alone, Sharpe and his men would surely perish or be captured. But the contents of the strongbox keep the French hot on their tail, so the danger is always there. I laughed when pretty, young Louisa showed up in the narrative. Sharpe is filthy, dressed in rags, not a nobleman, and yet he catches the eye of the vivacious daughter of the English missionaries? (Louisa's parents are touring the Spanish countryside with bibles, hoping to convert Catholics to Protestantism.) Sharpe knows nothing about command, even though he is officially in charge of the remaining men of the 95th. He can see how his men naturally gravitate toward the charismatic, self-assured Vivar, even though he is in the Spanish army. Vivar tries to advise Sharpe on how to lead, but such skills do not come easily to Sharpe and he resents how easily seems for Vivar to command. The action takes place in northern Spain, and there is mention of the Camino de Santiago - the famous pilgrimage trail that crosses from France and northern Spain all the way to Santiago de Compostela, which means St. James in the Field of Stars. The bones of the apostle St. James are said to be buried in the cathedral in that town. And naturally, that is where the book has its climatic finish. Next book in the series is Sharpe's Havoc, which continues Sharpe's adventures in Spain against the army of Napoleon. |
