"An American Sharpe." Topic

"It is normal to see Anglo American relations during the period between 1806 and 1814 as one of constant tension and continuous irritability. This gathered a real head of steam as the Royal Navy enforced their 'Orders in Council' to stop neutral ships trading with Napoleon's Europe. Numbers of hapless American sailors were also dragged off to fight for the Brits – as the Royal Navy struggled to clearly identify real Americans from those Brits trying to hide their real identities. And the rule was, if in doubt – take them anyway! This of course all came to a painful head with the War of 1812 which saw the Americans defeated in their attempts to overrun Canada; but the Royal Navy losing command of the Great Lakes; the burning of the White House and the hugely embarrassing defeat of the Brits with great loss at New Orleans in 1814. Peace was only finally signed in early 1815. Today we can now celebrate a Two hundred year old Alliance! However, although the countries bickered, for individual families, relationships were less complicated. America had parted from the 'Old Country' only 30 – 40 years ago and it is interesting to see how families, who often had branches living in both countries viewed it. I have recently had the privilege of working on the letters and journals of Lieutenant James Penman Gairdner who was actually born an American in Charleston in 1792, to a Scottish family trading between the Southern states, the Caribbean and Britain. He was sent to Britain for his education (boarding at Harrow) and then joined the British Army (95th Rifles) and served during the Peninsular War and Waterloo campaign…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Where are Sharpe fans… ?? (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Watching Sharpe-where else?

(smile)

No many supporters for the "American Sharpe" I can see… (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Tango01

Now if some American film people get wind of this, we might see an American Sharpe movie and the battle scenes would be much better than the TV series. Well, hopefully anyway. But who would play the American Sharpe? That's the question.

He had a very good war record. In the Peninsula, Southern France, Holland and Belgium. He was awarded nine clasps to his MGS, which were Ciudad Rodrego, Badajoz (wounded four times), Salamanca, Vitoria (badly wounded), Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse. Not a bad haul for someone who didn't get to the Peninsula until January 1812. He also attained the Waterloo medal, where again, he picked up a bad wound to his lower leg at Quatre Bras.

Gairdner's exploits are remarked upon many times in 'Rifle Green in the Peninsula Volume III'. By George Caldwell and Robert Cooper.

For an excellent full page reconstruction illustration of him, see 'Far in Advance' by Nick Haynes and Christa Hook, which in itself is an excellently full colour illustrated book. All rendered by Christa.

Paul :)