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The Killer Angels

A Historical Novel of the Battle of Gettysburg

Michael Shaara, 1974

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Part I: The Setting and Characters

• Background: A historical novel depicting the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) during the American Civil War.
• Perspective-Driven Narrative: The novel presents events through the viewpoints of key figures from both the Union and Confederate armies.
• Main Characters:
  • General Robert E. Lee (Confederate): A revered and brilliant commander, struggling with deteriorating health and strategic dilemmas.
  • General James Longstreet (Confederate): A pragmatic and modern-thinking officer, advocating for defensive tactics.
  • Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Union): A former professor who emerges as a heroic leader at Little Round Top.
  • General John Buford (Union): A cavalry commander who recognizes the strategic significance of Gettysburg and initiates the Union defense.

Part II: The Battle Unfolds

• Day 1 (July 1, 1863):
  • Buford’s cavalry delays the Confederate advance, allowing Union reinforcements to hold high ground.
  • General John Reynolds is killed early, but Union forces manage to establish a defensive position on Cemetery Hill.
• Day 2 (July 2, 1863):
  • Confederate forces attempt to break the Union flanks at key locations, including Little Round Top.
  • Chamberlain and the 20th Maine defend Little Round Top with a daring bayonet charge, preventing a Union collapse.
• Day 3 (July 3, 1863) - Pickett’s Charge:
  • Lee orders a massive frontal assault on the Union center, led by General George Pickett.
  • The attack is devastatingly repulsed, marking a turning point in the war.
  • Longstreet reluctantly follows Lee’s orders but foresees disaster.
  • The Confederate army retreats, and Lee takes full responsibility for the defeat.

Part III: Themes and Analysis

• The Nature of Leadership: Contrasting leadership styles of Lee, Longstreet, and Chamberlain highlight different approaches to command and strategy.
• Honor, Duty, and Sacrifice: Soldiers on both sides wrestle with personal beliefs, loyalty, and the costs of war.
• The Fog of War: Miscommunication, uncertainty, and the weight of decisions impact the course of battle.
• Historical vs. Fictional Narrative: While largely accurate, the novel takes creative liberties to deepen character portrayals.

Key Takeaways

• The Killer Angels provides a deeply human perspective on the Battle of Gettysburg, illustrating the complexity of war and leadership.
• Decisions made by a few individuals shaped the outcome of one of the most significant battles in American history.
• The novel highlights the themes of strategy, courage, and the burdens of command, making it a timeless study in leadership and decision-making.