Throughout the Battle of Gettysburg, as described in “Killer Angels”, the qualities, decisions, and characteristics of three distinct and respected men form a well-rounded model of a true leader. Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet, and Union Colonel Lawrence Chamberlain, are rare and shining examples of decisive, tactical, and compassionate leaders. There is no other more beloved and respected general in American history than that of the Southern-gentleman, Robert E. Lee. His ability to instill passion, respect, stability, love and decisiveness into his subordinates was and is still unprecedented. Unwavering and stubborn as a rock, James Longstreet was a brilliant, yet quiet, leader. Reserved and troubled, Longstreet lacked persuasion skills and the ability to communicate a point clearly, yet his love for the army and reliability made him stand out as Lee’s second-hand man. Previously a well-educated professor, Colonel Chamberlain tackled the art of leading with skill and a desire to improve. Leading his regiment, Chamberlain displayed an exceptional ability to listen, learn, think, and then act when it came to dealing with his men. Leadership, as portrayed in “Killer Angels”, instills within subordinates a strong desire to follow and perform duties without ever second-guessing their orders.
Robert E. Lee leads strongly and decisively, while always keeping his calm and composure, regardless of the circumstances. He does not hesitate to act quickly and decisively when he discovers the Union army to be shadowing his movements in southern Pennsylvania. Without ever second-guessing himself, he turns the army, placing full faith and confidence in his men to accomplish the objective of luring the Union army into the open and destroying them. Viewing this as the last opportunity, he sees no other alternative other than to attack, regardless of unfavorable positions. Despite being faced against a much larger and better-positioned enemy, his...