The theme of relationships in the war is touched on in this chapter. Gibbon is a Union general, but his brothers are fighting for the other side, a common theme for this war of brothers.
Most of the Union top brass are portrayed as ineffective. In addition, here is a battle that may determine the outcome of the war, and Buford, who is weary to the bone, has to stand and listen to two majors argue about army protocol and which general is really in charge.
Shaara uses the loss of the white angel in the cemetery as a way to make the losses personal and real. At the beginning of the story, you meet the young lieutenants in Buford’s command and see the white angel in the cemetery. By night, the lieutenants are dead, and the angel is gone.
Irony is evident when Buford, whose men managed to save the high ground, is accused by General Howard of not supporting Howard’s flank. The reality is that Howard could not even hold his own ground, much less save the high ground, and General Hancock had to restore the Union lines during the battle because Howard could not.
Petty resentments show in Howard’s jealousy of Hancock’s leadership abilities and Hancock’s popularity with the rank-and-file soldiers.
