In what should be a straightforward mission to destroy a bridge at Valdelacasa, in French-occupied Spain, the South Essex is disgraced when Simmerson's bad judgment leads to a high number of casualties and the loss of their King's Colour, though Sharpe manages to recover the Regimental Colour. Simmerson tries to blame the disaster on Sharpe, but General Wellesley rebukes him by designating the South Essex a battalion of detachments, and promoting Sharpe to the captaincy of the Light Company. At the Battle of Talavera, Simmerson panics at the sight of the advancing French and orders the South Essex withdrawn from the line of battle, leading to Wellesley relieving him of command and replacing him with Sharpe's old friend, Lt. Col. William Lawford. During the battle, Sharpe and Sgt. Harper capture a French Imperial Eagle as a trophy, restoring the Regiment's honor (historically, the first British capture of an Imperial Eagle occurred at the Battle of Barrosa, in 1811, chronicled in "Sharpe's Fury"). This Eagle is later featured on the Regiment's flag and jacket badges.