Minor Themes

Civilians (Maryland):

"most of the people were silent and glum...apprehensive" (p.115)

Civilians (Pennsylvania):

"Now as they got closer to the Rebels people seemed much happier everywhere." (p.122)

Idealism vs. Realism:

Chamberlain is proved to be multidimensional: he is not entirely idealist, for an extreme idealist would have made his men give the stolen milk back.

SoldierÂ’s Experiences (Family):

Chamberlain reflects on his hard and silent father. (p.118)

Intuition:

"He [Chamberlain] knew that he was an instinctive man, not a planner, and he did best when he fell back on instinct." (p.119)

"Chamberlain looked up to them go, sensing alarm. He could feel the Gray army beyond the hills." (p.123)

State Allegiance

"Home. One place is just like another, really...Odd thing: unpatriotic." (p.119)

Management:

"Year ago they held meetings to decide what to do; if they disagreed with an officer, they stopped and argued. CanÂ’t conduct an army as a town meeting." (p.121)

Human Nature (fear the worst):

"Now there were rumors: a terrible defeat, someone had blundered, two hundred thousand Rebs, the Eleventh corps had deserted...Damn the rumors."

Union vs. Confederacy:

Although hesitant, former head of the Army of the Potomac McClellan was loved by the Union men. (p.124)

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