The ordinary soldier Richard Sharpe is doing his duty as Sergeant with the "95th Rifles" The "Riflemen" or "Sharpshooters" are a sort of elitist troup, equiped with the progressive Rifles. Rifles have a rifled barrel, that clearly improves the accuracy of a shot.
Sharpe saves the life of the officer Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington) and due to this Wellesley gets him a promotion to Lieutenant. Unheard-of at a time, when more or less only noblemen could become officers!
The newly made officer has problems coming to terms with his new position and is also not accepted by his subordinates.
Only when meeting the (female) Guerilla leader "Commandante Teresa" during a special mission under his command, he and his Men learn to fight together (and not against each other)
From now on, he and the small troup of Riflemen, the "Chosen Men" will go through their adventures together.