Analysis Of The Killer Angels

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Recommended: Effects that war has on society

Stephanie Triplett
Killer Angels Essay
History 131
Dr. Corzine

The nation and people were separated and each man fought for what they believed to be right for them. Whether the men sided with the north or south it really did not matter. Whether they believed slavery should be abolished or not, it was not too prevalent in this book. Some men fought for themselves, for their families, to protect their land, and some because it was the morally right and loyal thing to do. Whatever reasons the soldiers decided to fight that day and days subsequently, I am sure they could not have dreamed of the legacy that their heroism and bravery that The Battle of Gettysburg has left in American History. With over 50,000 casualties occurred that occurred over three days of aggressive fighting, the battle was vital turning point in the civil war.
As someone once said “war is hell” and I imagine that to be even truer if you are in a battle against your own friends. That is exactly what the soldiers of The Killers Angels faced when the south wanted to secede from the union. Some of the officers went to West Point together and had bonds with one each, yet carried different flags. Some of the soldiers had fought together previously in Mexico and knew each other’s fighting strategies and personal dispositions. It was like being in the mind of your enemy and they almost knew what to expect from the other, which was played upon in the book.

An example of a friend against friend is that of General Lew Armistead and General Winfield Hancock who had been pals many years before the start of the war. Armistead knew that he would be up against his longtime friend when he first heard of the southern states wanted to secede and Hancock was joining th...

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...the story from a neutral view because it was important for him to share the story and the bravery of the men. However, I also believe he considered the audience that would be reading the book. Bearing in mind that the civil war divided the country and even after the war was over.
Growing up outside of the town of Gettysburg, I have always been interested with the history of the battle and the role the civil war had on our nation. (My stepdad played in the filming of the movie) Michael Shaara’s The Killer Angels, adds the character aspect to the battle and make you feel like you know the soldiers that were fighting the battle those days. Fighting against their friends was a brave thing for them to do; however, each solider felt the need to stand up for what they felt was important and because of their bravery we stand as The United States of America today.

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