Killer Angels Book Report

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“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we alter and lose our freedoms, it will destroy ourselves,” said Abraham Lincoln. The novel Killer Angels as told by Michael Shaara, examines the three day Battle of Gettysburg through the eyes of several key people of the battle. The book looks at the battle and how each person viewed the events of the three day battle. General Robert E. Lee was a good general, but during this particular battle, he did not make the best of decisions, which led to the Confederate troops losing the war. The loss was a result of Lee’s own poor physical and emotional health, the welfare and conditions for the soldiers who fought for him as well as the weather that they were faced with and the conflict between …show more content…

Lee struggled both emotionally and physically during the battle which may have affected his judgment and could help explain some of the uncharacteristic decisions he ordered during the battle. For example, inadequate orders were given to his troops because he didn’t take the time to think each situation through. General Lee ordered an infantry assault named Pickett's Charge, after General George Pickett. Lee felt the the center of the Union line was the weakest point and chose to send Pickett and his troops through the center of the line. Lee decided to make an all or nothing approach to this battle and attack the Union troops head on. He felt if he could win this battle he could win the war. Lee struggled with giving clear instructions as seen with his interactions with Longstreet and Ewell. Ewell was instructed to take Culp's Hill if practicable. Longstreet was told by Lee to attack Little Round Top by noon on that day. Longstreet chose to wait four hours before engaging in battle allowing the Union Troops to fill gaps and build a wall to protect them in the attack. General Lee was the leader of the Confederate troops and it was his job to ensure that his instructions to all parts of his army were clear and concise to avoid any possible errors. His lack of responsibility caused the Confederates to lose the battle and ultimately the

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