So I'm reading THE KILLER ANGELS for the first time and I'm struck by how often, and how avidly, Shaara seems to try to make congenial the opposing officers in the US Civil War. Obviously there is the much-cited friendship between Armistead and Garnett, but it seems like every other chapter features a scene in which one officer or another says something like, "Boy, there sure are a lot of worthy soldiers on the other side. Those fellas sure did give us hell today. I tip my hat to those [Rebs or Union soldiers]."

And the portrayal of Lee seems especially sympathetic. The entire book is full of descriptions of his grandpaternal care, his humane charisma, the loyalty he inspires in his men, his deep regard for human life, his fairness, etc.

It feels almost reverential.

And then in chapter six, Lee's interior monologue talks about how "wrong" the Confederates are, how "insane many of them are." Lee is characterized as a reluctant warrior, someone who entered a war he knew was wrong because he simply had to fight for his people (once the declaration of secession was made); the whole depiction seems almost like an apology for Lee and/or the entire Confederate enterprise.

To what degree is this portrayal of Lee---especially his conviction that the war is "wrong" and that he is involved in the fighting only reluctantly---in line with what is historically verifiable?

And is the gentlemanly, admiring regard that the officers seem to have for opposing soldiers more or less accurate for the time?

Apologies if this has been asked and answered ten thousand times on here already . . .