The Battle Of Weaponry In The Killer Angels By Michael Shaara

Knowledge about past significant events is crucial, as it helps us to understand exactly what helped to shape our country the way it is today. This information can only be gained by accurate depictions of historical events, which is evident in the film, Gettysburg. The epic war film, Gettysburg, is directed by Ronald F. Maxwell in 1993, and is known for its accurate depiction of the clash between the armies of the Union and Confederacy in a small Pennsylvania town, during the Civil War in 1863. Gettysburg is based on the famous book, The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara, written in 1975. Through close analysis and observation it is evident that Gettysburg, is portrayed as an objective re-enactment of the events that occurred in The Battle of

Although they most often fought on foot—particularly as the War progressed—cavalry units typically looked for firearms that would be easy to reload from the back of a galloping horse. Cavalry in both the Union and the Confederate Armies employed a variety of breech-loading, single-shot, rifle-barreled weapons known as carbines. The carbines, because their barrels were several inches shorter than the rifle-muskets the infantry carried, also had a shorter range. In addition, the cavalry weapons had a brutal recoil when fired, and—despite their advantages in loading—most still required the cavalry soldier to manipulate a tiny cap in order to fire. Confederate cavalry often brought sawed-off shotguns and cut-down hunting rifles from home. Others used the standard infantry rifle-muskets, though the longer barrels were awkward and muzzle-loading was difficult on horseback. These cavalry and weapons are presented in the film as well, proving that the film accurately presents weaponry. This is evident, because in the film the Generals, Colonels, Majors and soldiers, respectively have weapons that belonged to the their ranking in the military

General Robert E. Lee led the Confederates and General George Mead (who replaced General Joseph Hooker) led the Union and both these men were seen in the film as well. From the small soldiers who fought for their lives on the Pennsylvania border to the Generals who led the armies all names, places and facts were corrects. From when a journal was written to family or when Robert E. Lee sent messages to the president of the Confederates all these dates and minor details are accurate. Lee had constantly sent letters to President Jefferson Davis during the battle and they had generally detailed the events at and immediately after the momentous Battle; “On the 2nd July, Longstreet's corps, with the exception of one division, having arrived, we attempted to dislodge the enemy, and, though we gained some ground, we were unable to get possession of his position. The next day, the third division of General Longstreet having come up, a more extensive attack was made. The works on the enemy's extreme right and left were taken, but his numbers were so great and his position so commanding, that our troops were compelled to relinquish their advantage and retire” . This was an example of one of Lee’s letters; the film has incorporated this exact letter into the film and it is written exactly like it was during