British officer Richard Sharpe has his work cut out for him: Wellington orders him to take charge of the Royal Irish Guard, a gift from the Spanish King Ferdinand, and make them into soldiers for their first ever battle. Sharpe must also contend with the commander of the Guard and his devoted, but neglected, wife. The French continue to fight a fierce rear-guard action while being driven from Spain; Sharpe must recover stolen supply wagons and lead his green troops into battle against a French general whose "chief weapon is horror"!