The Killer Angels :: essays research papers

     The novel starts out when Harrison, a Confederate spy, reports to James Longstreet that 80,000 to 100,000 Union soldiers have marched within 200 miles of Lees position near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Harrison as well bears news of a change in Union leadership. Major General George Meade had replaced "Fighting Joe" Hooker as commander of the Union Army. Lee sees this change as an opportunity to strike while the new commander gets his bearings. He decides to concentrate on Gettysburg, the small town where several roads in the area converge, where he intends to cut the Union army off from Washington, D.C.      First shots are fired at dawn as Rebels attack Bufords dismounted cavalry. Later that day Lee orders Ewell to labour control of Cemetery Hill. Ewell did non follow orders and the union gained control of the Hill instead. Late in the afternoon, on the second day, Colonel Chamberlains 20th Maine regiment is moved into the woo ds. Colonel Vincent orders Chamberlain not to withdraw from his new position at the left flank of the Union line. The Confederates engage with the Union troops and Chamberlains 20th Maine time and time again. last when ammunition is low Chamberlain gives the order to fix bayonets, and charges down the hill driving the rebels back. That same day Lee orders Longstreet to attack the Union center, and Longstreet advises against it. They will break," Lee insists. He directed Longstreet to take three divisions. Longstreet passes the order along to his generals Pickett, Pettigrew, and Trimble. Pickett and other commanders lose most of their men in the battle. As the survivors pull back, Lee finally admits his mistake to Longstreet, who gives his order to retreat.The two personalities that stand out the most in my mind are Robert E. Lee and Joshua Chamberlain. Lee and Chamberlain share many similarities. They are idealistic, optimistic, and have assurance and pride in their men. Both care about their men, yet do not hesitate to use them, including Chamberlains own brother, for the sake of the cause. The men low Lee and Chamberlain show them a great deal of respect. Chamberlain is somewhat of a father figure to his men, as is Lee to James Longstreet.     Joshua Chamberlain is an unusual man, formerly a college professor, and views the war and the men around him more as a philosopher then a military man. On his march toward Gettysburg he sees a row of bloodless confederates from a previous battle, and wonders whether the towns people will give them a decent burial or leave them for the buzzards.