Thoughts on The Killer Angels

Killer Angels—Day 3
After finishing this book I know that I could never be a military leader. I don’t know how they could have ever made the decisions they did, always keeping in mind the Cause for which they were fighting for. I thought it particularly interesting how two of the leaders’ thinking of their own cause after the battle it told about. As Chamberlain talks to his brother, Tom, he realizes that he has forgotten the “cause” they’re fighting for. As he watches the retreating Rebels, he has a respect for them, but he remembers what they did to Kilrain, and he feels “violent pity.” Longstreet is also angry at the aftermath of the battle. He makes a comment similar Chamberlain’s thoughts when he says to Lee, “I don’t know if I can go on leading them. To die. For nothing.” Lee reminds Longstreet that the men do not die for them, but they each have their “own reason to die.” This is a very sad book. Of course, war is a sad thing. The horrors of the Battle of Gettysburg were written about in such a way that the war became very real to me. It was fascinating to read about the many points of view from the different leaders. This type of writing makes you stop and think about the different perspectives and gives a greater depth of understanding to a turning point in our country’s history.