The Killer Angels, published in 1974 by The Random House Publishing Group in New York and written by Michael Shaara, is a remarkable book. It provides an extraordinary account of the Battle of Gettysburg that took place from June 29 to July 3, 1863, during the Civil War. This book showcases different viewpoints from soldiers and commanding officers on both sides, including Lee, Longstreet, and Chamberlain. Shaara’s exceptional storytelling skills effectively portray the tactical complexities and emotional conflicts of a war that deeply divided America.
The book opens with a Confederate spy braving the Union lines on June 29, 1863, in order to convey crucial information to General Robert E. Lee about the advancing Army of the Potomac towards Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.
Subsequently, the narrative delves into the preparations undertaken by both Union and Confederate regiments as they anticipate the impending battle at Gettysburg. This pivotal confrontation would serve as a significant turning point in the Civil War, following prior clashes at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
Shaara provided readers with a fresh outlook by exploring the personal experiences of soldiers during the war. Through recounting the difficulties faced by James Longstreet and Lewis Armistead, their genuine humanity was uncovered beneath their tough soldierly exterior. Longstreet, who had tragically lost three children to illness, found himself thrown into battle. Armistead, a Confederate soldier, grappled with the possibility of losing his close friend Union general Winfield Scott Hancock, who was already grieving over his late wife.
Shaara led his readers through General Chamberlain’s internal conflict between his duty as a soldier and his duty to his family. He aimed to serve the Union while also protecting his younger brother, Tom, without showing favoritism. The aspect of The Killer Angels that had the most impact on me was the development of the characters as genuine individuals with emotions, anxieties, aspirations, and ambitions. Through this portrayal, I was able to see a more human side of them, unlike the stoic representations found in historical accounts.
The Battle of Gettysburg lasted for three days and consisted of three separate charges. On July 1, 1863, the Confederates made their first attempt to capture the Union-held hills, Little Round Top and Big Round Top. The Union forces were caught off guard by this bold attack and withdrew from the smaller hill. Lieutenant General Richard Ewell was tasked with seizing the hill, but he may have been unable to do so due to psychological difficulties related to the loss of one of his legs.
The failure to capture Little Round Top is seen by many as a crucial reason for the South’s defeat in the battle. As the Union controlled the advantageous terrain on the battlefield and General Lee refused to retreat, the Confederate army had no choice but to engage in open-field combat in front of the two hills. Despite their repeated brave attempts, employing clever tactical maneuvers and boosting morale significantly, the Confederates under Lee could not withstand the overwhelming Union forces due to scarcity of supplies and devastating losses.
On July 3, 1863, in a final desperate attempt, General Lee gave the order to General George Pickett to lead a charge. The objective was to split the Union army into two. Lee deployed all his available soldiers and led them across a vast field, enduring intense gunfire from the Union forces. Their main target was a regiment positioned in the middle of the Union line. The casualties were devastating: six out of Pickett’s thirteen generals were killed, and the remaining seven were wounded. Additionally, sixty percent of the troops were lost, and they had almost run out of ammunition.
In the novel, we are provided with an understanding of Union colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain’s educated perspective. Chamberlain, who was a former professor of rhetoric at Bowdoin University in Maine, constantly found himself perplexed by the purpose of the war. He struggled to comprehend why individuals would fight to preserve an immoral way of life, while still acknowledging their bravery. At one point, Chamberlain’s reflection on a Shakespearean speech evokes his admiration for humanity: “What a piece of work man is…in action how like an angel!” (page 126).
Upon hearing this, Chamberlain’s father remarked, “Well, boy, if he’s an angel, he’s certainly a killing angel.” (page 126). This interaction led Chamberlain to coin the phrase “Man: the Killer Angels”, a concept he frequently pondered during the Battle of Gettysburg, and which became the basis for the book’s title. Chamberlain aimed to find something positive amidst the war. He treated the Confederates with respect and equality, as seen when Chamberlain extended his hand and said, “Sir,” to the Alabama man. The Confederate soldier nodded and quietly asked for water. Chamberlain obliged by offering his own canteen. (page 243).
Michael Shaara’s The Killer Angels provided a unique perspective on the Battle of Gettysburg by showcasing it from various viewpoints. It is worth noting that he even had his troops acknowledge the surrendering South at Appomattox. In my opinion, Shaara effectively captured the speech patterns of his selected narrators; he employed slang and omitted “g’s” for the Confederate soldiers, while using proper grammar and British terminology for Freemantle, the Englishman.
I was also impressed by the author’s mastery of military terminology and how effectively he incorporated it into the novel. The usage of these terms consistently reminded me of the war setting without overwhelming me with unfamiliar jargon. While the rest of the vocabulary was relatively simple, it did not detract from my comprehension of the overall message. This deliberate choice by Shaara to stay true to life made for an engaging reading experience.
Officers such as Lee, Longstreet, and Chamberlain were unable to communicate with all their soldiers in a refined and educated manner due to the fact that many soldiers were ordinary citizens without formal education. As a result, commanding officers frequently used speech that was applicable to all when addressing their troops. This approach was accurately portrayed through the characters in the book, who I found to be credible, likeable, and at times even unlikeable. Shaara skillfully gave each general a distinctive personality, and since I was unfamiliar with the personalities of every mentioned general, I found myself forming judgments about them upon their initial introduction, and my opinions occasionally changed as the story progressed.
James Longstreet, who was initially a personal favorite of mine because of his level-headedness and demeanor, lost some of my admiration when I read the book’s “Afterward” section. This section exposed his efforts to damage Robert E. Lee’s reputation. Lee, being from the South like myself, has always been celebrated as an extraordinary war hero and greatly honored for his contributions in the Civil War. While I may not completely support all of Lee’s tactics, I still have great respect for him and reject the notion that one of his former comrades should blame him for the outcome of the war.
Although Colonel Chamberlain, one of the officers I admired from the beginning, stood out as the most genuine to me, this book was not my preferred choice for reading. Unlike the writing styles I usually enjoy, Shaara’s writing style is unfamiliar to me. It resembled Faulkner’s stream of consciousness style, which made it challenging for me to follow at times. I would often find myself having to reread passages because I frequently missed the transitions from first person to third person and struggled to distinguish when the narrator’s thoughts ended.
Initially, I was discouraged by the fact that The Killer Angels was a war novel. My fear was that it would focus only on violence and fighting without developing the characters. However, Shaara’s novel offered a different perspective. It delved into the lives of the men involved, providing insights and information not found in textbooks. Particularly through Chamberlain, Shaara presented an analytical viewpoint that contrasted with biased perspectives. The Chamberlain brothers recognized the most significant truth of all: “Well, they’re all equal now…In the sight of God, anyways” (page 365).
The text implies that the deceased soldiers, regardless of their affiliation with the Union or Rebels, were considered equal in God’s eyes and should have been treated equally by humanity. Reading this book allows me to visit Gettysburg and fully comprehend the events that took place there 150 years ago. I can recognize the violence and sacrifices made by those involved. While not essential for everyone, individuals with a fascination for the Civil War and American history would find this book captivating.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara is a captivating book that would appeal to those who were looking for more depth in war heroes. It tells a fascinating story that goes beyond just fighting styles. Readers will be surprised to learn that the events in the novel actually happened during the Civil War, which is an integral part of American history. This book exceeded my expectations and successfully combines emotion and action for an engrossing read.
