Responsibility and Duty

One of the most important themes in "Sharpe's Skirmish," or any book about war for that matter, concerns responsibility and duty. Sharpe and his men, the South Essex Light Company are assigned to guard Tubbs' men at the fortress of San Miguel de Tormes while they review the muskets left behind by the French, seeing if they are serviceable and taking possession of them. Upon learning that many bottles of wine are stored at the fort, Sharpe orders Harper to break the bottles, spilling the wine, to ensure that his men do not become intoxicated which would hinder them in their duties and endanger everyone at the fort. Harper accordingly breaks the bottles, and when Sharpe's men complain, Sharpe sends them on a march to keep them from getting slack. Sharpe fulfills his duty after dinner by checking on the sentries to make sure everyone is...