How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Cannot leave because I disagree, because, as he says, it's all in the hands of God. And maybe God really wants it this way. But they will mostly all die. We will lose it here. (4.2.142)
Longstreet is in a tough position: he senses the way things are going, but he remains powerless to change anything—he can't convince Lee to alter his course. That's his tragedy—to be right but not be able to do anything about it.
Quote #8
He opened his eyes, looked a question at Heaven, felt himself in the grip of these great forces, powerless, sliding down the long afternoon toward the end, as if it was all arranged somewhere, nothing he could have done to avoid it, not he or any Virginian. (4.4.9)
Lee finally senses his true lack of control: he found it impossible to avoid ordering the charge, and it totally failed. He feels like there never was any other option, and the divine plan went against him. Was there any alternative? What about Longstreet's plan? Why didn't Lee listen to him? Was it fate? Or Lee's free will?