The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

287). He doesn't believe that everything falls into the hands of God. This statements gives a different world view on the war. Men do not march blindly to their preordained fates; their fate is decided by themselves. It is a power given to us by God, and God cannot control it. Shaara defines the character of the Army of Northern Virginia, stating that, "They are rebels and volunteers. They are mostly unpaid and usually self-equipped. This is an army of remarkable unity, fighting for disunion"(Shaara Foreword IX). This further tells us the intentions and motives for the North.
             Armistead has a religious nature similar to that of Lee's. Armistead did not pray for himself at the battle of Gettysburg because he didn't feel the need to. Like Lee, Armistead puts his faith into God by saying, " He had not prayed for himself. Not yet. it was all out of his handsSo he did not even pray. Not yet. It was all in God's hands"(Shaara pg.305). Religion played a major role in the war, particularly on the southern side. General Lee, often felt that the war was out of his hands and the hands of his men, therefor he put his faith and the outlook of the war in the hands of God. Furthermore, leading to his repeated statements by putting it "in the hands of God" throughout the book. Towards the end, Longstreet makes the comment, "The storm was ending. He looked out through the smoke and saw no more blue troops; they had pulled back. He thought, to God: If there is any mercy in you at all you will finish it now"(Shaara pg.321). This is a direct quote to show his change in religion after the war. He seemed to look to God for peace and answers after encountering the wrath of the war. Also, the bible and beliefs are shown to change at the end with the quote, "After a while Lee came. Longstreet did not what to see him. but the old man came in a cluster of men, outlined under that dark and ominous sky, the lightening blazing beyond his head.