Dear Mr Cornwell,

I am a third year historian studying at the University of Exeter in the UK. Having read ‘The Fort’ you gave me inspiration for my final year dissertation topic, so firstly may I thank you for what was a tremendous read and is now proving an enjoyably challenging area of research. Incredibly not a single historian in our history department, naval or otherwise, had heard of this event and it has given me great joy tormenting my naval studies tutor on this matter!

I do have a particular question concerning the conclusion of the Penobscot Expedition. I understand that when writing a work of historical fiction certain facts and trends need to be adapted to tell a story. However I was wondering who you actually contribute blame to for the failure of the expedition, if any. And where you think the siege/battle could/should have been won?

As far as I know from my research Mowat’s battle formation and cabling together has been replicated twice before 1779 and had never been defeated. With the constant offering of broadsides entering the bay and the potential loss of continental navy frigates do you think Saltonstall has been unfairly criticised for the defeat? Especially with Revere’s woeful gunnery and Lovell’s failure to carry out an effective siege?

Sorry to bombard you with so many questions but speaking to people with knowledge of this event has been hard to come by and I would really appreciate hearing any conclusions you came to whilst writing The Fort.

Once again thank you for the inspiration for my dissertation and for providing me with sufficient material to torment my naval tutor!

Yours sincerely,

Oliver Bradburne