Sharpe (TV Series)

Sharpe's Eagle (1993)

Michael Cochrane: Sir Henry Simmerson

Quotes 

• [about the first defeat of the South Essex] 

  Wellesley : This is a report from Major Hogan, which differs somewhat from your account, Sir Henry.

  Sir Henry Simmerson : Major Hogan is merely an engineer, sir.

  Wellesley : Major Hogan's coat buttons up tight over a number of other duties, Sir Henry.

  [he glances over at Hogan, then continues:] 

  Wellesley : Major Hogan reports a number of losses, Sir Henry. He says you first lost your head, and instead of destroying the bridge, you marched over it. He says you then lost your nerve, and ran from a small French patrol. He says you lost ten men, a Major and two sergeants. He says you finally lost your sense of honour and destroyed the bridge, cutting off a rescue party led by Lieutenant Sharpe. Major Hogan leaves the worst to the last. He says you lost the King's Colours.

  Sir Henry Simmerson : [nervous]  The fault was not mine, sir. Major Lennox must answer.

  Wellesley : [shouting]  Major Lennox answered with his *life*! As you should have done if you had any sense of honour! You lost the Colours of the King of England! You disgraced us, sir. You shamed us, sir. *You* will answer.

• Wellesley : The South Essex is stood down in name. If I wipe the name away, I may wipe the shame. I am making you a Battalion of Detachments, you will fetch and carry. The Light Company put up a fight, so I will let it stand under the command of a new captain.

  [he returns his attention to his papers] 

  Sir Henry Simmerson : [a slight hope]  To be commanded by the newly-gazetted... Captain Gibbons, sir?

  Wellesley : [looks up at him]  To be commanded by the newly-gazetted Captain *Sharpe*, sir.

• Sir Henry Simmerson : Do "you* know what makes a good soldier?

  Richard Sharpe : Yes, sir.

  Sir Henry Simmerson : [pause, then]  And what makes a good soldier?

  Richard Sharpe : The ability to fire three rounds a minute in any weather, sir.

• Sir Henry Simmerson : [stepping forward for one last attempt at bluster]  I have a cousin at Horse Guards, sir, and I have friends at court.

  Wellesley : [looks up from his papers VERY slowly, then deliberately:]  A man who loses the King's Colours... loses the King's friendship.

• Sir Henry Simmerson : [to Gibbons and Berry]  Listen, and listen well. You both dip into my purse. That purse is now shut. It will stay shut so long as Sharpe struts around sneering at the Simmersons. Do you understand me?

• Sir Henry Simmerson : What makes a good soldier, Sharpe?

  Richard Sharpe : The ability to fire three rounds a minute. In any weather, sir!