Sharpe (TV Series)

Sharpe's Siege (1996)

James Ryland: Capt. Neil Palmer

Quotes 

• Sharpe : What happens when you burn oyster shells?

  Capt. William Frederickson : You get ash I suppose.

  Capt. Neil Palmer : I was born in a fishing village sir. The fishermen used to burn oyster shells all the time.

  Sharpe : Why?

  Capt. Neil Palmer : To whitewash their houses sir. When you burn oyster shells, you get lime. Get that in the eyes you go blind.

• Colonel Horace Bampfylde : ...and so, having made every provision for the comfort of the wounded, I made my way back through the British lines as quickly as possible.

  Lord Wellington : And how did Colonel Maquerre conduct himself?

  Colonel Horace Bampfylde : I cannot speak too highly of the Count's conduct, Sir. Despite my pleading with him to return with me, he insisted on staying behind to raise rebellion.

  Lord Wellington : And Major Sharpe?

  Colonel Horace Bampfylde : I'm afraid Major Sharpe was away at the time, plundering a French convoy. However, I have been reliably informed by the Mayor of Arcon that he was ambushed and overpowered. I can only assume that he's either been killed or surrendered to the French.

  Lord Wellington : [looks outside his tent]  Well, I suppose we could ask him.

  Colonel Horace Bampfylde : How do you mean, sir?

  [Bampfylde looks outside the tent and is horrified to see Sharpe and a limping Palmer leading the Chosen Men and the remains of the garrison into the camp. Palmer limps into Wellington's tent on a crutch, followed by Sharpe] 

  Major Richard Sharpe : My Lord.

  Capt. Neil Palmer : Sir, under the provisions of the Army Act, I wish to charge Colonel Bampfylde with cowardice in the face of the enemy, abandoning his position, abandoning the wounded, conspiring with the Compte De Maquerre - a spy in the service of Bonaparte - to desert his position and throw the blame on Major Sharpe. I further wish to report, sir, that Major Sharpe tended the wounded, successfully repulsed an attack by General Calvet's brigade and brought us all safely back home here, sir.

  Lord Wellington : Is that all, Captain Palmer?

  Capt. Neil Palmer : Almost all, sir.

  [With difficulty, Palmer turns to his right, brings up his good leg and kicks Colonel Bampfylde in the groin] 

  Colonel Horace Bampfylde : [strained]  Field Marshall Wellington... Captain Palmer assaulted me. He struck a superior officer!

  Lord Wellington : You're no longer a superior officer, Bamfylde. Get out!