Southern Unionist
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2017
- Location
- NC
The biggest and most important thing I got out of the movie was greatly enhanced respect for the bravery of all the individuals involved in the battle, on both sides. Seeing it acted out by talented actors is so much more powerful than reading about it.
Second, I got introduced to General John Buford, and learned what he did. As someone who has personally been in tough situations (not military) where developing a wise plan and getting off to a great start is everything, I think it's impossible to overstate the importance of what he did, in a situation where he could have easily gotten by with doing a lot less.
I found out that Longstreet was not just the guy who moved slowly at Gettysburg and cost Lee the war. The reality was pretty much opposite to the stereotype promoted by Freeman. Longstreet's assessment of the overall situation at Gettysburg (as depicted in the movie and described in his memoirs) closely matches my own, after digging deeper. This portrayal was overdue.
I learned to see Lee as an imperfect human being, even though I understood that this particular week was probably the worst of his life.
I also found out whose memoirs I should be reading. Michael Shaara made extensive use of these, and I've learned a ton by taking a close look at the original writings.
Second, I got introduced to General John Buford, and learned what he did. As someone who has personally been in tough situations (not military) where developing a wise plan and getting off to a great start is everything, I think it's impossible to overstate the importance of what he did, in a situation where he could have easily gotten by with doing a lot less.
I found out that Longstreet was not just the guy who moved slowly at Gettysburg and cost Lee the war. The reality was pretty much opposite to the stereotype promoted by Freeman. Longstreet's assessment of the overall situation at Gettysburg (as depicted in the movie and described in his memoirs) closely matches my own, after digging deeper. This portrayal was overdue.
I learned to see Lee as an imperfect human being, even though I understood that this particular week was probably the worst of his life.
I also found out whose memoirs I should be reading. Michael Shaara made extensive use of these, and I've learned a ton by taking a close look at the original writings.