The Killer Angels
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From: Philly (Narberth)
Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 14 2006, 07:23 AM
Day two, Chapter four, Chamberlain.
......If this was your first read, or if you can remember your first read (and didn't already know the details of the battle) what did you think Chamberlain would do when he was told his company was out of ammunition?
......If this was your first read, or if you can remember your first read (and didn't already know the details of the battle) what did you think Chamberlain would do when he was told his company was out of ammunition?
I have read the book several times now....the first time a few years ago. The story of the battle was so gripping that I'm sure that I forged right into the answer....without taking time to quesion "what's he going to do?" Maybe I thought that a magic supply wagon would arrive....just in the nick of time....I dunno
The point is that his 'layman' maneuvers over a very short time on July 2nd is still a well-studied example of military planning 'on the run'. First, he extended his depleted line to the left by at least 50% to cover his exposed flank....at the same time bending the left end around....creating an angle at it's mid-point. Second, his more famous move was to fix bayonets and CHARGE down the hillside....completely surprising the troops from Alabama
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Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 14 2006, 08:23 AM
Day two, Chapter four, Chamberlain.
We read in detail the Battle of Little Round Top from the perspective of Chamberlain. Others are focused on Lee and his story. I find Chamberlain to be the most interesting character of the bunch. A professor who is now a colonel. There is a slight condecension in the tone of other colonels when they speak to him. He is here on principle. He has trouble with the heat. He has trouble with the men. He is being held in reserve it would seem, until Sickles moves his men of the high ground.
If Lee is the tragic hero, the Chamberlain is the super hero. Mild mannered professor by day, battle winning warrior by night.
What did you think if the battle description? If this was your first read, or if you can remember your first read (and didn't already know the details of the battle) what did you think Chamberlain would do when he was told his company was out of ammunition?
We read in detail the Battle of Little Round Top from the perspective of Chamberlain. Others are focused on Lee and his story. I find Chamberlain to be the most interesting character of the bunch. A professor who is now a colonel. There is a slight condecension in the tone of other colonels when they speak to him. He is here on principle. He has trouble with the heat. He has trouble with the men. He is being held in reserve it would seem, until Sickles moves his men of the high ground.
If Lee is the tragic hero, the Chamberlain is the super hero. Mild mannered professor by day, battle winning warrior by night.
What did you think if the battle description? If this was your first read, or if you can remember your first read (and didn't already know the details of the battle) what did you think Chamberlain would do when he was told his company was out of ammunition?
I remember seeing the movie for the first time, and I certainly did not expect a bayonet charge. I thought they were just going to remain on the hill and fight it out hand to hand.
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From: Randolph, NJ
Originally Posted by S1997,Sep 14 2006, 02:19 PM
And then there is Rob (and others), who is sometimes looking at the novel primarily as an example of a literary work that has the structure and the characteristics of a classical tragedy. Here the thoughts, actions and intentions of the various dramatis personae are fair game for critical analysis and close attention.
The real Robert E. Lee was well loved and respected. Not just by the south but by all of the people of the nation. His intelligence, his wisdom, his experience is unquestioned. His concern for his men, as exhibited by his surrender at Appomatox, was second to none. But this isn't the Robert E. Lee of the "Killer Angels", or if it is Shaara dwells upon the the decisions that were made to make his point and we only get to see a two dimensional picture of a three dimensional man.
Do you remember how at the beginning of the book I thought that Shaara favored the Southern officers and showed much more respect and sympathy for them. Looking back, it seems to me that the reason for that was to make the characters more sympathetic, to increase the tragedy. They were so good, and it all turned so bad.
I don't think the book is about the Civil War, Robert E. Lee or any of the officers. It is about all wars and all officers.
Sorry to go off topic, but some of todays discussion made me want to post this.
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There's no way Chamberlain is going to surrender! -- But I was still filled with awe when he comes up with -- fix your bayonets and CHARGE! Totally unexpected!
Also for me, Shaara's Chamberlain was like a superhero from the first read. And I think the movie does a great job of presenting him.
Also for me, Shaara's Chamberlain was like a superhero from the first read. And I think the movie does a great job of presenting him.
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From: Canton, MA
I remember thinking "oh, he'll call back those 50 troops he sent out to his left, divide up their ammunition among the rest of the men, reinforce his line and surprise the rebs with a fortified position on their next charge. I thought it was amusing when the captain returns only at the end of the battle.
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From: Randolph, NJ
Originally Posted by S1997,Sep 14 2006, 08:46 PM
But why does it have to be either/or? I agree, Rob, that the story connotes war --all war. But here the Civil War is concrete rather than being merely symbolic and abstract. For me The novel denotes the actual battle at Gettysburg -- part of the Civil War. Then that can become the vehicle for an analogical critique of war in general, and of all the human failure and frailty -- valor and courage that is associated with war.
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From: Canton, MA
Chamberlain in battle gets blown up twice by cannon fire. He has to throw is brother into a hole in the front line. He has to leave the wounded. He watches an enemy soldier fire directly at him and miss. He charges down hill with drawn sword. One bullett rips through his coat but does not hit flesh. He charges an enemy officer with drawn pistol. The enemy fires but his gun is empty. In an instant the opposing officer surrenders and Chamberlain accepts rather than cleave the enemy's head open. Call me a groupie, but I thought this guy was amazing.