On July 1, Lee and Longstreet discuss their battle strategy. As Buford watches from the top of Cemetery Hill, a unit of Confederate infantry enters Gettysburg from the west, only to retreat when they spot Buford’s brigades in the hills. Union General John Buford enters the town first with his cavalry and establishes his unit on the hills to the south of town, positioning the Union on the most advantageous ground in the area. Stuart, has not yet reported on the Union’s position, so Lee is forced to head into Gettysburg blind.Īs Lee begins to assemble his army, the Union is also moving toward Gettysburg.

Unfortunately, his cavalry commander, General J. Lee sees that Gettysburg is a valuable position because it is a junction of several roads, so he decides to amass the Army of Northern Virginia there. Lee discussing the position and movements of the Army of the Potomac with General James Longstreet based on information from a spy Longstreet hired. The Killer Angels begins on June 29, 1863, with Confederate General Robert E. All three are written in the same style, with each chapter being told from the perspective of a different Union or Confederate commander, and all three are noted for their historical accuracy.

The Last Full Measure covers the last two years of the war, including Lee’s surrender. The former is a prequel to The Killer Angels, ending just before the Battle of Gettysburg. When Shaara died, his son Jeff continued his legacy by publishing Gods and Generals in 1988 and The Last Full Measure in 2000.

The killer angels by michael shaara