The film “Gettysburg” introduces two very important, brave men, each leaders for their side of the Civil War.  Colonel Lawrence Chamberlain of the Union and General Robert E. Lee of the Confederacy, led men in the Battle of Gettysburg. They both possessed important leadership qualities, but they portrayed them in different ways.

Colonel Lawrence Chamberlain, a college professor, was humane and led his men by treating them well, motivating them, listening to them, and fighting along with them.  Colonel Chamberlain portrayed these qualities at the beginning of the movie, when he was addressing the men who were trying to leave the fighting.  While others were threatening to shoot the men, Colonel Chamberlain sent the guards away, provided them with food, and listened to their concerns.  He then gave a great speech in which he motivated all but 6 of the men to continue fighting.  Chamberlain displayed his humanity when he met the black man who needed medical care.  Chamberlain commanded his men to provide medical care for the man, and then had a discussion with another general about his beliefs about why people of all races are the same.  The other general referred to Chamberlain as an idealist because of his humane thoughts about the equality of all people.  Chamberlain revealed his reason for fighting the war was for the end of slavery.  Another way Chamberlain displayed his motivation of his men, was being right along the side of his men.  While the men were walking more than 20 miles in 5 days, Chamberlain refused to ride his horse and instead walked with the men.  When they were fighting in Gettysburg, Chamberlain fought right along with his men, shooting at the Confederates.  While several other generals stayed out of actual battle, Chamberlain fought, and came up with a plan to make the Confederates retreat when his men ran out of ammunition.  Colonel Chamberlain actually led his troops.

By contrast, General Robert E. Lee, of the Confederate army, led his men by force.  He refused to listen to him, and his only goal was to defeat the enemy, at all costs.  General Lee was an arrogant man, who always road on a horse, and made his speeches largely focused on promoting himself.  General Lee refused to listen to General Longstreet, who tried to persuade him that the Confederate army could not march the mile up the middle of the battle field.  General Lee instead commanded General Longstreet to lead the charge, refusing to even listen to General Longstreet’s reasoning. On July 3rd, even after the mass casualties of his men, General Lee ordered General Pickett to take his men and continue fighting.  However, all of General Pickett’s men were dead.  General Lee, atop his horse, never went into battle.  He only commanded that other men did.  Near the end of the battle, General Lee repeatedly stated to the surviving fighters that it was his fault.  However, this did not appear to be genuine, but a way to get the men to support him.  Also, throughout the movie, General Lee kept referring to the “enemy”.  He never really discussed his motives for fighting, only that he would defeat the enemy.

In conclusion, in the movie “Gettysburg” two well respected men, leading troops on two opposing sides during the Civil War, led by two complete different manners.  Colonel Lawrence Chamberlain of the Union Army, led by compassion and by example.  In contrast, General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army, led by force.