John,

May I recommend you start with Stephen Sears' "Chancellorsville". If you're interested in the formation and successes of the BMI, then this is the book for you. I think I may have enjoyed Chancellorsville more than Gettysburg, primarily because there is so much new or little known information for this, the greatest and last of the Lee-Jackson victories.

You know, in many ways, the fiasco of Gettysburg, I'm referring to the Confederate perspective, has much to do with the loss of commanders at Chancellorsville and is primarily responsible for Lee's attitude of invincibility that resulted in the Pickett-Pettigrew assault.

Of course, as George Pickett said the Union army had something to do with the outcome, as well.

Jim