Sharpe's Rifles

Bernard Cornwell published Sharpe's Rifles in 1988. In the internal chronology of the series it is the sixth book, and it takes place during the Peninsular War.

Sharpe's battalion is acting as rearguard to the British army in its retreat to Corunna when a squadron of French regular cavalry cuts it to pieces. The commanding officer is killed, and Sharpe takes up his heavy cavalry sword and what is left of the riflemen of the 95th, only to find that they have no intention of following an officer they do not know, which leaves him in command of a unit that has not agreed to be commanded.

Their natural leader is Patrick Harper, and the two of them fight before they are interrupted by the arrival of a Spanish major, Blas Vivar, and his men. The stand-off between Sharpe and Harper is the beginning of the partnership that carries the rest of the series, and the mission Vivar brings with him gives the survivors something to do that is worth more than simply staying alive on the retreat.