dear Mr Cornwell, I have recently entered a competition by the historical association through my school. My history and English teachers have often read short stories written by me in my spare time-nearly completely based in the Napoleonic wars-and I like to think that they now look forward to receiving the next one as they have said that apparently I have a talent (I was shocked just as much as they were). They were particularly excited when they found out my entry to the competition was one of two from my year to win. As a winner my story has been posted onto the Historical Association website and I hope that it does not contradict the rules you stated about giving you stories to read as it is a published story-of sorts. It’s about how Sergeant Masterson and Ensign Keogh captured the eagle at Barrosa. I must confess I changed the ending just a bit to my own liking. I hope you will find the time to read my story and I would be very honoured if you did. Any criticism would be very much appreciated. the link to the story is below, if you scroll to the bottom of the page there are a number of links to stories, mine is entitled “the eagles of Barrosa” http://www.history.org.uk/resources/secondary_news_797.html. kind regards Tom Conlon