Inspire? Entertain? Humor? All and More!

When I first considered what in my writing space inspires or entertains or humors me I was stuck. Then my eyes lit on a copy of a painting on my wall. It is of Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore (1761-1809). He is a particular favorite of mine and inspires me not only because of what he accomplished but how he did it. He developed the innovative training regimen that turned out the first modern superb light infantry troops. In reading several Moore biographies he appears an exceptionally humane officer and a respected leader. He was placed in charge of the British force in Spain after the recall of Generals Burrard and Dalrymple who basically threw away Wellesley’s (Wellington) first victory in 1808. When faced by Napoleon and 200,000 French troops with only a force of 20,000 he led a heroic retreat and saved most of his men. They were being loaded on ships during the battle at Corunna in which Moore himself was wounded and died.

Considering Moore brought my answer into focus. I didn’t need to choose between the inspire, entertain, or humor because I have something in my office that does all three. This collective “it” also educates and elucidates.

To the right is a photo of the section in my bookcases that contains the memoirs, diaries, letters, reminiscences of the men who served in the Peninsular War ( Portugal and Spain). Intelligence Officer in the Peninsula Letters & Diaries of Major The Hon. Edward Charles Cocks is truly inspires me to do my best. Cocks was such a lively, intelligent and dedicated officer that I was near to tears when I read of his death at the battle near Burgos in 1812.
Diary of a Cavalry Officer 1809-1815 by Lt. Col Tomkinson always entertains. In fact I used his explanations of one of the times he was wounded as an inspiration for the wound suffered by my hero in Honour’s Compromise. Another book full of information but with laugh-out-loud passages is Kincaid’s Adventures in the Rifle Brigade; Random Shots from a Rifleman. I’m still trying to find a way to work some of his escapades into a book. Another entertaining work is On the Road with Wellington: The Diary of a War Commissary by Schaumann. These are just a few I could name.

When I first began collecting books on the period in which I write I did so from a thirst for information and to have that information at hand. I obtained that but I also hold the beauty of the period as well as its pathos on my shelves. I can’t help but be inspired, entertained, humored, and even romanced by the examples of all the authors, of all the men and women with whom I share my office. I can't wait to read what inspires the rest of my fellow WARA writers.