Killer Angels Essay

Instructions

● Pick two of the following essay questions

● Each essay question needs to be 4 paragraphs: Introduction, body, body, body

● Introduction Paragraph: 3-4 sentences: briefly introduce the topic and summarize your

three main points you intend to prove

● Body Paragraphs: 8+ sentences: Each body paragraph should begin with a topic

sentence. Needs to have a different reason/explanation. Include a direct references

from the book with proper citation. Explain, in detail, what the reference means and how

it helps prove your point

● Need to spell check upon completion

Essay Questions:

1. Following the Civil War, Southern historians launched a debate over who bears the

responsibility for the loss at Gettysburg. Michael Shaara attempted to resolve this in

Killer Angels. Based on the novel, who do you think is to blame? Choose one

Confederate Commander, state your opinion in a strong thesis statement and support

your opinion using three different arguments/reasons why they are to blame

2. During our study of The Killer Angels, we discussed the leadership qualities of many of

the men present at the Battle of Gettysburg. After completing the novel, who do you

now believe to be the best leader? Why? Your answer should include your definition

of leadership and three different qualities/characteristics of leadership that was shown.

 You need to cite specific examples from the book when discussing those leadership

qualities.

Begin Writing Here:

In the novel The Killer Angels by Micahel Shaara, many men display amazing leadership

capabilities, and foremost among them is Joshua Chamberlain. Chamberlain is a great leader

for many reasons. A good leader can inspire and relate to their followers, leads by example and

is empathetic and cares about them. Chamberlain does all of these things throughout the battle

of Gettysburg and is one of the most inspiring officers who fought in the Civil War.

The first of these qualities that Chamberlain displays is the ability to inspire his men. At the

beginning of the book, he is brought 120 mutineers from the second Maine. He gives a rousing

speech and all but 6 of them join his regiment (Shaara, 29-32). This rally of the mutineering

troops that originally did not want to fight for anyone but the now-defunct second Maine to join

his regiment is a great example of inspiring his men. These troops before had no will to fight but

now will go on to fight in and win the largest battle of the Civil War. This speech inspired a

staggering 95 percent of the troops to join his regiment of less than 250. He wrote this speech

on the spot and still managed to galvanize all but 6 of the mutineers to join his cause. This feat

is truly a great example of inspiring leadership.

The next quality that I want to address is leadership by example. On the second day of fighting,

Chamberlain’s unit is instructed to hold the Union left flank. His 350 some men manage to hold

against the tide of Confederate soldiers until their ammunition is completely out. When all of the
ammo is gone, Chamberlain leads a bayonet charge down the hill that routs the Rebel force.

This is an amazing example of how to lead in any situation, not just war. Some commanders

would order a charge but not lead it, out of fear of death or injury. Chamberlain’s unit takes 50%

casualties but still manages to take hundreds of prisoners. This rousing charge is another

reason why Joshua Chamberlain is an amazing leader.

The last quality that I would like to talk about is how a good leader can recognize what they

have done wrong. A good officer cares about his men and feels responsible for their lives and

deaths and takes responsibility for their own mistakes. During the engagement on the left flank,

Chamberlain uses his brother to plug a hole in the line. At the end of the battle, Chamberlain

takes a walk. He sits down on a stone wall and thinks about the fighting. He is haunted by his

decision to use his brother as a patch to repair the breach in the line. (Shaara, 342). This shows

that he is not dismissive of his mistakes and feels remorse for his actions. He is an empathetic

leader and feels sorrow for the loss of life in the engagement on the left flank.

Essay 2

Most historians regard the Battle of Gettysburg as a turning point in the Civil War. After the war,

they began to debate about who was responsible for the loss at Gettysburg. Out of all of the

Southern Generals who made mistakes at the battle, Robert E. Lee stands out the most. His

arrogance, refusal to leave and bad tactics caused the deaths of thousands of his own soldiers.

The first action of Lee’s that contributed to Lee’s loss of the battle was his arrogance.

When his advisors suggested that they dig in and use caution, Lee refused to. Earlier in the war,

Lee had been mocked in southern newspapers for the fact that he had chosen to dig trenches.

The newspapers called him “The King Of Spades” (Shaara, 113). Lee’s ego got in the way of

making a good tactical decision, causing the battle to rage very long. The entire reason that the
battle had started was because Lee wanted to attack the North. He wanted to do this to show

that the South was brave and honorable, instead of fighting the defensive war that some of his

most trusted advisors told him to.

The next action that contributed to the defeat at Gettysburg was Lee’s refusal to retreat.

This action would have cut his losses and saved the lives of many of his soldiers. Lee,

outnumbered, out-positioned, and outgunned, refused to retreat (Shaara, 264). Lee’s decision to

stay caused the deaths of many of his soldiers and eventually, the loss of the war. Lee feared,

that if he had left, his soldier would be too demoralized to win any more battles. The outcome of

the battle and the terrific casualties could have been, in fact, more demoralizing. His arrogance

and pride about his reputation, once again, got in the way of victory.

The thing that caused the loss of the battle was Lee’s bad tactics. During the industrial

revolution, many advances had been made in weapons technology. Bullets had gotten better

and deadlier, but tactics had not evolved. Lee’s plan on the last day of the battle referred to by

historians as Pickett’s Charge involved a horde of Southern troops charging up the one mile of

open terrain to the Union emplacement. All this time, they would be shot at by cannons and

rifles, bombarded with cannister shot and have to be charging up a steep incline. One of Lee’s

closest advisors James Longstreet said the following “General...it is my considered opinion that

a frontal assault here would be a disaster(Shaara, 286). Lee went ahead with the attack and the

deadliest battle on American soil ended with the charge of thousands of brave men up into the

firing range of the deadliest weapons of the time period. This tactical blunder led to the loss of

the battle and eventually the war.