Mr. Cornwell,

in “Sharpe’s Enemy” (which takes place in 1812), Sharpe compares defending against a French attack to “being in a meat grinder.”  I was curious, and according to Wikipedia the first meat grinder was invented by a German named Karl Drais sometime in the 19th century, but all of the online articles I found are frustratingly indefinite about the exact date.  Some of his other inventions are dated, including a musical recorder/printer in 1812, but most of them are dated to the 1820’s.  Did you happen to come across any contemporary writing or letter that referenced when the meat grinder was first invented?

Always thankful for your peerless work.

Michael J Lee