Killer Angels Courage Essay

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AP US History 12 August 2012 Courage in The Killer Angels The book The Killer Angels, written by Michael Shaara, is about the American Civil War, but comes with a twist. Instead of using only historical facts, Michael portrays each character as he sees fit. With this said, many of the characters he chooses play major roles in the Civil War, such as Robert E. Lee, Longstreet, Grant, and Chamberlain. However, one specific section of the book strikes me as the most courage's. In the book, Chamberlain and his battalion make up the rear of the Union, and are defending the Union from any possible attacks by the Confederates. The Confederates attacked the Union's flank at Little Round Top Hill, and forced Chamberlain's men uphill. His courage and decision making allowed for the tactical advantages of the Union to defeat the Confederates. As the Union was forced uphill, they started running out of ammunition and supplies. Desperate, the Union looked for an idea, as they couldn't survive any more waves of troops for long. Chamberlin had the bold idea of prepping the bayonets and rushing at the Confederates down the hill. He gave the order to charge, and said "Fix bayonets! Charge! Fix bayonets! Charge! He leaped down from the boulder, still screaming, his voice beginning to crack and give, and all around him his men were roaring animal screams, and he saw the whole Regiment rising and pouring over the wall and beginning to bound down through the dark bushes, over the dead and dying and wounded, hats coming off, hair flying, mouths making sounds, one man firing as he ran, the last bullet, last round. Chamberlain saw gray men below stop, freeze, crouch, then quickly turn. The move was so quick he could not believe it. Men were turning and running.". His courage gave the Union's flank the inspiration and courage to charge down the

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