What Is The Message Of Killer Angels By Shaara

“If you go to Gettysburg and take the time, maybe take a tour, maybe just drive around, read some of the monuments, read some of the plaques, you will come away changed.” Quoted by American novelist, Jeff Shaara, son of Pulitzer prize winner, Michael Shaara, this was his simple message to Americans; that they should take the time and understand the sacrifice and bravery of all the men who stepped foot on Gettysburg during the famous three-day battle. Killer Angels, written by Michael Shaara, is a historical novel that tells the stories of soldiers of both the Confederate and the Union army and the hardships they endured. Killer Angels contains the fiction element that the author creates so that readers can connect with real life historical

Lee’s second in command after the death of Lee’s most important general--“Stonewall” Jackson, rises up to the challenge of commanding a large portion of the Confederate Army. Longstreet, who I believe was a man ahead of his time, knew the fast changing style of warfare had to parallel that of the booming changes in technology. General Longstreet is depicted by Shaara, as a full-bearded, intelligent man who was very stubborn and sympathetic, but had an immense respect for his commanding officer, General Lee. With the heavy burden of sending men to their deaths, Longstreet wanted to take upon a defensive strategy to the battle. General Lee who had multiple aggressive, offensive victories before Gettysburg deferred Longstreet’s tactics and continued to press forward. For example, after the initial Confederate victories on day one of the Battle of Gettysburg, Longstreet says to Lee, “I've been a soldier all my life. I've fought from the ranks on up, you know my service. But sir, I must tell you now, I believe this attack will fail. No 15,000 men ever made could take that ridge. It's a distance of more than a mile, over open ground. When the men come out of the trees, they will be under fire from Yankee artillery from all over the field. And those are Hancock's boys! And now, they have the stone wall like we did at Fredericksburg.” Longstreet knew that his strategy would’ve forced the Union army to attack them and the

This was extremely important intelligence and a pivotal turning point that would lead up to the battle. With knowledge of federal soldiers moving into Gettysburg, Longstreet passes on this information to General Lee who reacts by sending General Ambrose Powell Hill to march towards Gettysburg. On Wednesday, July 1, 1863 the Battle of Gettysburg begins as Buford’s cavalry division fires first on A.P. Hill’s corps. Without the information of Longstreet’s spy, the Union forces would’ve dug in and set up on great ground and would’ve definitely had a larger chance of winning the battle. General Lee’s quick reaction force was able to repel Union forces from going any further and had them suppressed upon the hill. Even with the quick force that Lee deployed, it would inevitably do no good for the outcome of the battle because they were unable to control the hill, but without Longstreet’s intelligence there probably would’ve been more Confederate casualties as the Union would’ve had the upper