Dear Mr. Cornwell
I have a curiousity question, if you don’t mind. In Sharpe’s Eage, after the battle of Valdelacasa, Wellsley declares the South Essex to be a Battalion of Detachments on the basis that its casualties, and the fact that it is a single battalion regiment prevent it making up its losses from home. Yet, in later books (chronologically) the South Essex continues. How did this reversal happen, and how did it make up its losses?
Please do not interpret my question as a criticism. I have read, and re-read, almost all of your books and immensely enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) them Thank you for writing them If the answer to my question is that the South Essex continued because it was a convenient vehicle for the story, I’m fine with that. I’m just wondering if I missed something that I shouldn’t have. Thank you, and thank you again for many hours of literary pleasure.
John McNamee