Dear Mr Cornwell
I have recently become fascinated with some of my early family members. One being my ggg grandfather who fought in the Peninsular wars. I have read most of your books and thank you, they are most informative especially for someone like myself who did not study history and is quite clueless.We have letters of his which tell us about one of the battles he was involved in.Below is part of the letter:
“That your Memorialist had the honor of distinguishing himself in the severe Battle fought in front of Bayonne 13th December 1813 by retaking a part of great consequence at the head of the Company he commanded, His Captain having being killed early in the Action, and his only Brother severely wounded then a Lieutenant in the same Company, which caused his death some time after., For which your Memorialist was presented by his  Commanding Officer on the following morning to Major General  Sir John Byng then in Command of the Brigade, who was pleased to thank your Memorialist, “saying  at the time” that he had witnessed the whole affair himself and would be happy at any time it may be in his power to serve your Memorialist.”

I was wondering if this would have been the battle St Pierre as when we pulled up his war medal info it says that he was wounded at st Pierre. I see he was at 8 battles but only received 5 bars/clasps, why would this have been?  I do apologise if these are not the questions you would normally answer.  If not, would you be able to refer me to a historian who could.( we would hire their services) I am also wanting to find info on my ggggg who fought and was killed at Louisburg in 1758. The information we have is from another family letter which has been passed down.

kind regards,

Victoria