Thank you, Sir Dennis, for posting this fine article. A love of history has been mine since about age 5, living in D.C., and having a Naval officer to guide me.
Ferguson certainly was an inquisitive soul, and of course developed improvements on the original breech-loading gun.
But reading it again, I do wonder how the British Army won so many battles and colonized so much territory. When I read, "Ferguson was part of a generation of active, intelligent, professional and ambitious British light infantry officers," I really question one's ability if one "purchases" his commission, THEN goes to school to learn tactics and strategy. I wonder what a Cornet cost, in 1760-70 terms. And were the higher ranks also purchased?
There is much to admire about Ferguson's rifle, and about the British Army. But I still dislike officers who purchase their rank. Is it no wonder that I feel many of the BA officers of that period were terribly arrogant?
Again, thanks for posting this very educational article.
