Harry Heth Character Analysis in The Killer Angels

Heth is a Confederate general, who always appears grave and perplexed. Despite being ordered not to attack, he gets into a significant engagement with Buford’s dismounted cavalry on the first day at Gettysburg, having thought it would only be a minor scrap with local militia. Lee sends him back into battle after learning that Early is attacking the northern Union flank; Heth is then injured.

Harry Heth Character Timeline in The Killer Angels

The timeline below shows where the character Harry Heth appears in The Killer Angels. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...agitated about the lack of news from Stuart. He waits for news from General Harry Heth, hearing fighting ahead and unsure what Heth has gotten into. (full context)

Heth finally rides up to Lee’s headquarters looking bewildered and ashamed. He reports that what he’d... (full context)

...one decision; it was all in God’s hands.” He senses an opportunity and tells Generals Heth and Pender to attack as well. (full context)

...the various generals; perhaps Longstreet is right that command is too loose. He hears that Heth has been injured. Soon, however, men begin to cheer; the enemy has fallen back. (full context)

...Lee urges him to speak. Longstreet says that they should not have attacked here, as Heth had been ordered not to. Tomorrow, they will be outnumbered. Lee waves away this concern.... (full context)

...move toward the front, met by the soldiers’ cheerful morale. At last Lee assigns Pickett’s, Heth’s, and Pender’s divisions to Longstreet and explains the objectives. After massed artillery fire, Longstreet’s men... (full context)