Killer Angels The Battle Of Gettysburg example essay topic
Many historical novels give the facts straightforward and provide no information of the people involved in history. The feelings and deep thoughts of each of the Generals and the conditions of the battle are seen, heard, and felt by the reader. Men were fighting against their own family and friends. These men were fighting for their morals and ideals, they were dying to win an unseen reward. Men were so blinded by their views that they strayed from their family life to help the cause.
Even men who were not willing to participate were taken from their women and children, for the sake of fighting someone else's battle. War and the killing of others did not interest General Robert E. Lee and he felt sympathy for the Union. Lee had inconsistent feelings towards war and says, He was not only to serve in it but he was to lead it, to make the plans, and issue the orders to kill and burn and ruin he could not do that (Shaara 263). The author says Lee's reason for fighting the Civil War was, He found that he had no choice Lee could not raise his hand against his own. An so what then To stand by and do nothing It had nothing to do with causes; it was no longer a matter of vows (Shaara 263). Lee felt it was his duty to fight for his fellow countrymen, but not for a cause, land, or slavery.
So it was no cause and no country he fought for, no ideal and no justice. He fought for his people, for the children, and the kin, and not even the land, because the land was worth the war, but the people were, says General Lee (Shaara 263). The fortunate men who survived the war, moved on to other battles. However, the battle scars, both physical and psychological, remained eternally.