Killer Angels-Day 2

Wow, the reality of the war is setting in. This part really made me think about the differences between the soldiers and the leaders. General Lee’s lecture to Longstreet was quite poignant. He’s talking about what it takes to be a good soldier or a good officer. “To be a good soldier you must love the army. But to be a good officer you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love. That is…a very hard thing to do. No other profession requires it. That is one reason why there are so very few good officers. Although there are many good men.” I enjoyed reading about the thinking and actions of the different leaders—particularly of Lawrence Chamberlain. I’ve heard about the Battle of Little Round Top. It’s a battle that is the background for another historical fiction book that I use as one of my book clubs at school—A House Divided. I wish I could remember the name of the author right off hand, but I don’t. I know more about this battle, from both sides. I have to admit that it’s tough reading about the battles—the blood and gore. I sometimes wish that there would have been another way to solve the problems of the country besides war.