Killer Angels Summary

A detailed Summary of Killer Angels Summary

Michael Shaara tells a fictional, but generally historically accurate, story about the four-day series of events and battles that surrounded and comprised The Battle of Gettysburg in his 1974 novel, The Killer Angels. The story represents both the views of the North and the South, and commands the reader's understanding and empathy toward each of the characters and views regarding the Civil War. Shaara's portrayal of the war leaves little missed, and vividly details the passion, tension, conflict, trials, victory and defeat. The book is divided into four main sections, and within each section, the action is divided into chapters that represent each character's view of the events. One hundred and forty years later, we relive The Battle of Gettysburg.

Part 1 takes place on Monday, June 29th, 1863 and covers the events leading up to the battle. James Longstreet's hired spy, Harrison, reports that not only are Union forces are pursuing the Confederates into Pennsylvania, but that President Lincoln has recently fired General Hooker and replaced him with General Meade. This news is invaluable to the Lee's forces, because Jeb Stuart's cavalry scouts have left the infantry blind to the enemy's movements. When Longstreet reports

Part two takes place on Wednesday, July 1st, 1863, and describes the first day of battle. Lee first deals with civil matters regarding thievery and raiding by ordering his men to give back what they have taken from the local civilians. He then speaks with Longstreet to discuss the decision that the South could expect no help from Europe, and the two disagree on how to handle General Meade's approaching army. Their conversation is interrupted with no resolution, as they hear gunshots that signify that Hill has marched on Buford's defenses in Gettysburg. Heth's brigade suffers heavy losses before they realize that Buford's forces are not mere militia, but organized Union soldiers. Buford considers retreat, but his reinforcements arrive with Reynolds, who gets killed shortly after replacing Buford's troops. Rodes and Early arrive with troops, conveniently and flank Reynolds' brigades. Lee sends in reinforcements to Heth's group, and the Union forces retreat. Longstreet and Lee still disagree on the course of action to take with Meade's troops. Chamberlain's Union forces reach Gettysburg just past midnight, after an extensive a grueling march. Longstreet discusses Lee's strategies with Fremantle, but Fremantle sides with Lee. Ewell and Early fail to take the southern portion of

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Approximate Word count = 871
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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