Hello Bernard. I recently received Rebel and On Bloody Ground from my sister and I enjoyed reading Rebel immensely. I started reading On Bloody Ground and realized I am going to have to read the middle two books to track Starbuck’s change from uncertain youth to grizzled war veteran. I noticed immediately the resemblance Starbuck has to Sharpe – except that it appears Starbuck goes to greater lengths to hide the fact that he is an officer. Not surprising when you realize that officers are high on a skirmisher’s hit list. Do you know if officers “dressing down” was a common practice during the civil war?

I know from other questions on the website that other commitments have kept you from finishing the Starbuck Chronicles. But I am curious if there is a part of you that is dreading the experience, knowing the rather ignominious end the Confederate Army faces. I’m sure you’ll find a way (just keep Starbuck out of Pickett’s Division) Many thanks Dan Machulka