Hello, My interest, both historically and literarily, in the Napoleonic Wars was initially sparked by your novels. Even in the novels which I felt were not up to your usual standards, the historical notes at the end were both enlightening and entertaining. I recently read two novels by Jay Worrall who has a Sharpe-like character (though born rich) serving as a Captain with Nelson. Worrall shows his admiration for both OBrien and Forester by having his hero, Charles Edgemont, briefly interact with both Aubrey (good in the film, a prig in the book) and Hornblower (a man among men). What concerns me, and why I am boring you with this, is that at one point Worrall refers to a Captain who had come up from the ranks, something that was rare in the Royal Navy, but never in the Army (referred to as a Mustang in my USMC). On your behalf, I took offence. I am certain that it must have occurred in the Army of that time, or you wouldnt have written it. Please enlighten me. Darcy Vernier