Fact or Fiction? Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain at Gettysburg as Depicted in Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels"

FACT OR FICTION? COLONEL JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN AT GETTYSBURG AS DEPICTED IN MICHAEL SHAARA'S THE KILLER ANGELS. A historical analysis of Colonel Chamberlain and the 20th Maine Infantry, and their action at the Battle of Gettysburg on 2 July 1863 in comparison with the novel The Killer Angels, by Major George A. Latham II, USA. This study analyses Michael Shaara's portrayal of the Battle of Gettysburg from the Northern perspective. It briefly describes how the U.S. Army uses the novel The Killer Angels formally and informally to conduct leadership training and to study the Battle of Gettysburg. Michael Shaara's career and background as an author as well as how he researched and wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning novel are described. The strategy of the Northern and Southern senior leadership resulting in the Battle of Gettysburg is analyzed. The background of the 20th Maine and its colonel are studied for their significance in the outcome of the battle. A comparison of events leading to Gettysburg as well as the actual fight on 2 July 1863 for the Little Round Top is conducted to portray historical inaccuracies and to reinforce accuracies. Events as they relate to Colonel Joshua Chamberlain's character, leadership and actions are the focus for the thesis' analysis. The study develops an analysis useful to supplement The Killer Angels in Army leadership instruction.