The Killer Angels
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From: Smalltown
Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 1 2006, 08:19 AM
How did you feel about it a moment later when Buford looks back and sees Reynold's horse without Reynolds?
I found that to be the case time and time again in this book.
I'm almost done the book. I need to go back and read it again to absorb (or would that be retain) more of the details.
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From: Arlington, VA
I have been swamped at work and have not kept up my reading...I will get back to it, though. Vito is doing a superb job (far better than I would) in representing the household. Gettysburg is a passion of his, in case you haven't figured that out. 
So I may leave it to him. We do discuss some points.
So I may leave it to him. We do discuss some points.
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From: Philly (Narberth)
Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 1 2006, 07:19 AM
Day 1, Chapter 2, Buford.
What were your thoughts on the image of Buford, standing in the cuppola, unable to see through the fog, yet visualizing in detail the rebel attack on his regiments by sound alone?.....
What were your thoughts on the image of Buford, standing in the cuppola, unable to see through the fog, yet visualizing in detail the rebel attack on his regiments by sound alone?.....
We will begin our 18 mile loop through the battlefield at the north end, which is where this initial confrontation took place.
There is an observation tower that we will be able to ascend for an even better view
The seminary tower is still there....basically unchanged since the 1860's; our drive will circle around the seminary.
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From: Philly (Narberth)
Here is a LINK to the Map page on the G-burg NP website. Bill may want to post this link on Post #1 for easier reference.
You will find a very basic map posted for the major N-S positions on each of the 3 days of the battle, plus a map of the 18 mile loop that we will drive on October 7th.
We'll respectfully do this
and not this 
You will find a very basic map posted for the major N-S positions on each of the 3 days of the battle, plus a map of the 18 mile loop that we will drive on October 7th.
We'll respectfully do this
and not this 
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From: The (S)Low Country
Thanks to all of you who are participants in this discussion. I've really enjoyed reading your thoughts, etc. I'll be traveling this evening and tomorrow, so I'll try to catch up Sunday. Have fun.
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Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 1 2006, 12:09 AM
I'll take issue with this. Shaara portrays him as quite concerned about his position, his troops, his leaders and his health. Those around him seem relaxed, but not him.
"When this is over, I shall miss it very much."
"It is all in God's hands."
"....nothing will happen today. But we have an opportunity here, I believe."
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From: Randolph, NJ
Originally Posted by Vitito,Sep 1 2006, 06:32 PM
"It is all in God's hands."
The more I think about this, the more it seems that Lee repeats "Its all in God's hands" a number of times. As I read that I couldn't help but think it was either his subconscience way of admitting that he could lose the battle or something to hide behind if he did.
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Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 1 2006, 08:11 AM
Lets look at pages 88-89. In response to Longstreets prediction that Meade is coming fast, Lee thinks "direction does not matter. Fight him wherever he is. Lee said, 'We have an opportunity.'"
Longstreet, thinking they are in agreement, proposes a defensive strategy. Lee immediately disagrees. He believes the Union ar,y is tired and strung out. He offers an alternative to the idea of a defensive war. "If we concentrate we can hit him as he comes up. If we ruin one or two corps we can even the odds." He and Longstreet then argue over defensive versus offensive engagement with Lee pushing Longstreet to see it his way.
Remember, at this point Lee barely believes that Buford's cavalry is in Gettysburg. Yet he is already planning on attacking. Shaara leaves me with the picture of a general who is feeling his age and his mortality, looking for a quick end and planning to attack a numerically stronger army to try to end the war now.
I will move on to Day 1, Chapter 2 Buford, but feel free to continue this discussion about Lee.
Longstreet, thinking they are in agreement, proposes a defensive strategy. Lee immediately disagrees. He believes the Union ar,y is tired and strung out. He offers an alternative to the idea of a defensive war. "If we concentrate we can hit him as he comes up. If we ruin one or two corps we can even the odds." He and Longstreet then argue over defensive versus offensive engagement with Lee pushing Longstreet to see it his way.
Remember, at this point Lee barely believes that Buford's cavalry is in Gettysburg. Yet he is already planning on attacking. Shaara leaves me with the picture of a general who is feeling his age and his mortality, looking for a quick end and planning to attack a numerically stronger army to try to end the war now.
I will move on to Day 1, Chapter 2 Buford, but feel free to continue this discussion about Lee.
Is Lee's idea genius, bold? If his instincts are correct, and the Union Army is tired, worn out, approaching piece by piece, disorganized, under a new commander, after Lee's Army is concentrated, is attack the right call? As of this chapter, Lee's Army is the superior in numbers (based upon proximity to Gettysburg)! Maybe attack is the right call.
What would Napolean do?
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Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 1 2006, 08:52 AM
Right, thanks. I thought the casting was perfect for the image of him that I got from the book.
on the beard.