Dear Sir, I’m a huge fan of the Sharpe series. I started reading just under a year ago with Sharpe’s Rifles, then the three India novels (Haven’t read Trafalgar yet) and then the Peninsular series, up to siege. I’m starting on the next one soon. The books have really started a huge interest in me about the war at that time – Ranks, organisation etc. I have a few queries (The most specific right now being the difference in the rank of Colonel and Lt. Colonel, and who can lead a Battalion, and who cannot?). Are there any websites you could recommend which explain the old army system in great detail? I’d appreciate it.

I also have a question about the series, which I’d be so grateful if you’d answer, in regards to Sharpe’s Revenge. At the end he effectively is allowed to make any request he wants of Lord Fenner, why does he wish to serve under the Colonel from the second Battalion when he is clearly very upset at not being given command in Sharpe’s Siege? Why not request a Colonels rank and Full command of the South Essex (Or better)? Thanks for answering the questions and thanks again for the book. I have a lot of respect for the amount of effort this site suggests you put in to communicating with Fans. Pete