Sharpe’s Havoc and the Campaign in Northern Portugal, Spring 1809 by Bernard Cornwell

Sharpe's Havoc: Richard Sharpe & the Campaign in Northern Portugal, Spring 1809 (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #7) - The French are capturing Oporto, Portugal. While everyone else is leaving, Sharpe is ordered to find Kate Savage and bring her to safety. He is also told to watch over Colonel Christopher. Christopher countermands those orders and tells Sharpe to follow the rest of the army over the Douro River because he has plans for Kate himself.


Sharpe gets caught on the wrong side of the river, so he decides to continue with his original orders. Christopher, angry that Sharpe has disobeyed him, sets the Rifles up to be annihilated by the French.