Dear Bernard
If there’s one unit Sharpe should or could meet, it’s the Colonial Black Marines, ie the Black Redcoats. Cochrane and Cockburn did the Emancipation Proclamation 50 years early and a number of escaped Slaves formed a highly effective Combat unit that fought at Bladensburg and North Point. Sharpe should fight with these guys at some point. If you’ve not read it Matthew Taylor book the Black Redcoats is an excellent and fascinating book on a unit that many aren’t aware of and I’d recommend
Regards Geraint
This video interview by the author maybe of interest https://youtu.be/jae88yaVCb8?si=A8zDQm460ew-UWVN