Killer Angels by Michael Shaara Killer Angels is a fantastic and vivid story about the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg was one of the bloodiest and most horrific battles of the American Civil War. Author Michael Shaara does an excellent job of showing the courage and valor of the men fighting on both sides. The story begins in a town near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in the town of Taneytown, on June 29, 1863. Harrison, a spy for the Confederacy, returns to General Longstreet late at night and tells him about the Union troops he noticed approaching their camp and could ambush them at any moment. Longstreet doesn't believe Harrison at first, but Harrison eventually convinces him. Longstreet wastes no time and alerts the commander of the rebel army, General Robert E Lee. General Lee is also skeptical of the union movement, but ultimately decides to move his troops north to Gettysburg. Shaara then moves on to the union perspective, giving you a look at their point of view. Introduces the reader to Colonel Chamberlain and Buster. Buster wakes Chamberlain and lets him know that their troop has gathered 120 men from the Second Maine which had disbanded. The new troops are deserters and Chamberlain is ordered to shoot anyone who doesn't march. Chamberlain gets food for the new arrivals and meets their leaders. The leaders tell him that they are tired of fighting and just want to go home to their families. Chamberlain can't let them go, so he asks them to stay and join the 20th Maine, all but 6 men agree. It is now July 1, 1863, and General Lee is waking up. He has heart problems and tries to take it... middle of paper... Eral Pickett then goes to meet Longstreet who is crying and gives the order to charge. Armistead forms a force and begins to march forcefully, but soon falls apart due to Union fire. Most begin to flee but he continues marching and is shot and killed. Longstreet watches the massacre and knows they have lost. The men run towards him screaming and asking for help, but he has sent all the help he can. All he can do is sit and watch. He begins riding into battle until a man next to him is shot, then retreats and meets up with Lee, where they leave planning their retreat. Longstreet believes the war cannot be won now. Chamberlain comes out and watches the victory and is amazed at all the Confederates would give for slavery. A storm erupts, washing blood and bodies across the land, and then Tom and Chamberlain are back fighting.