Chapter 10 Summary

In a room with other officers, Colonel Simmerson shouts threats at Sharpe. He says that he will ruin his career. Lawford enters the room and tells the men that General Wellesley will see them now. For a little while General Wellesley lets Simmerson make accusations against Sharpe. Simmerson says that because Sharpe refused to send his riflemen out to face the French cavalry, the regiment lost. He demands that Sharpe be punished. General Wellesley says that not only will he not punish Sharpe he will promote him to captain and give him command of one of Simmerson's companies. The general also says that the fault of the defeat is entirely Simmerson's. Simmerson tries to protest, but the general does not listen. Simmerson says that he will write to his powerful friends in England.

After Simmerson leaves the room General Wellesley congratulates Sharpe, but...