Sharpe's Target

by CPO Backstreet

Sequel to Sharpe's Value, novel continuity. It is November 1808 and the British army under Sir John Moore's command is sitting out the war in Spain. But a French raid gives Sharpe a new and deadly enemy and puts him on a collision course with the French cavalry.

11. Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE

After the victories at Rolica and Vimeiro, which I previously chronicled in Sharpe's Value, the British army marched into Spain. However, the situation they found there was much as described by Captain Murray in the story. There were no civilian or military authorities to direct the Spanish war effort against the French, leaving each Spanish army fighting independently. As such, even when the Spanish were able to win a victory, such as Valmaseda in early November, they were unable to press home the advantage.

With the British largely remaining on the sidelines during this period of the conflict, the Battle of Sahagun on 21st December provided both a rare engagement and a victory. The devastating charge by the 15th Hussars completely broke the 1st Provisional Chasseurs. Almost the entire regiment was killed or captured, including two lieutenant-colonels, with the result that the chasseurs were forced to disband.

All of the generals featured in this story existed, as did Colonel Wade. The other characters, including Colonel Laurent, are fictional. Henry Paget, who commanded the British at Sahagun, would gain another victory over French cavalry just eight days later at Benevente. He was evacuated from the peninsular at Corunna and never returned: Shortly after his return to England in 1809, he left his own wife for the wife of Henry Wellesley, younger brother of Sir Arthur, who similarly left her husband for him, and it was considered unwise to have Wellesley and Paget serve together. However, as the Earl of Uxbridge he would command the by-then Duke of Wellington's cavalry at Waterloo, famously losing a leg in the latter stages.

But the victory at Sahagun was not enough to convince Sir John Moore to take the fight to the French and the retreat to Corunna had begun. It was a journey that Sharpe would not of course complete, being cut off from the 95th Rifles forever. Delfina's prediction would come true: In March 1809, with the conquest of Spain virtually complete, the French invaded Portugal a second time, capturing Oporto and holding it for two months before being beaten back by Wellesley's army. Sharpe would march again.