Theresa,

Excuse me for jumping in, but I wanted to agree with your assessment of the writing skills of Thomas Ayres. The book you mention, "Dark and Bloody Ground" contains an account of the assault of Mouton's Division at the battle of Mansfield that is riveting, fast-paced and draws forth emotions comparable to some of the classic accounts of Pickett's Charge. Anything Thomas Ayres writes, I'll buy. He's a terrific writer.

I wish he'd come and visit us here on the message boards.

Jim