Lee is frustrated with his leaders, but slow to comment or judge. He waits to hear their side and wants to give them every opportunity to succeed. He observes his commanders, their personalities, flaws, and strengths and reads the interactions between the men. He learns what makes his men tick so that he can use it to motivate them to the desired result — victory.
In spite of his frustration with Ewell, Lee reflects that Ewell is not a Jackson, and he can’t be. He wonders if a man loses something when he loses a leg, even though a man’s spirit is not in his leg or any other part. Yet Lee does not judge, acknowledging the wound has not happened to him and so he cannot understand. Instead, when Ewell returns later, apologetic and upbeat, looking to please Lee, Lee responds with nurturing and a recognition of what Ewell has managed to achieve. Lee lets Ewell know he realizes it’s hard to be a new commander.
Lee’s faith in God shows up, particularly at the end of the chapter. So much anxiety and so many questions crowd his mind. Yet he prays, turns it all over to God, and falls asleep.
The close relationships between enemy commanders are apparent as Lee thinks of the dead Union general, John Reynolds. He even prays for him. There is the respect for a worthy opponent, a fellow gentleman.
There is a glimpse of Lee’s family relationships — his wife, “that troubled woman,” and his wounded son.
The various personality conflicts of Lee’s staff come through in this chapter. Early despises Longstreet and vice versa. Ewell is nervous and defers to Early. And none have the leadership skills of the legendary Jackson, whose loss continues to be felt as this battle progresses. His ghost haunts them.
The Lee/Longstreet strategy conflict comes up here. In a way, though Shaara is portraying Lee as obsessed with attacking, Longstreet is the dogmatic one. Longstreet has one strategy — take the defense. Lee continues to be confronted with problems, plans gone awry, commanders who don’t fulfill missions, and he just keeps rolling with it. Lee takes what’s there, not what he wishes for, and works with it. He rethinks it, makes new plans, looks for the new opportunity, and never loses faith. Lee is aware this battle may affect the outcome of the war. Longstreet shows no such creativity or flexibility.
Shaara’s descriptive skills continue to be powerful: “Ewell had the look of a great-beaked hopping bird . . . his voice piped and squeaked like cracking eggshells . . . Ewell . . . was like a huge parrot, chortling.” These words convey the image of an insecure commander more effectively than if Shaara just tells us that.
