Richard Sharpe finds himself clashing with incompetent officers and an inexperienced company, making himself dangerous enemies, even on his own side. Sharpe knows he must redeem the regiment by capturing the golden Imperial Eagle, a standard touched by Napoleon himself. Sharpe now leads his men into the bloodiest battle of the war, but through treachery and gunsmoke, through swordfight and bloody warfare, Sharpe saves his own life and the honour of the regiment.