Joshua Chamberlain: Difference between revisions

 

==Early life and education==

 

Chamberlain was the first of five children. His father named him after [[James Lawrence]], and favored a military career for his son, while Chamberlain's mother wanted him to become a minister. Chamberlain became a member of the Congregational Church in Brewer in the mid-1840s, and attended Major Whiting's military academy in Ellsworth. Chamberlain then taught himself Greek so he could be admitted to [[Bowdoin College]] in 1848. At college, Chamberlain was a member of the [[Peucinian Society]], [[Phi Beta Kappa]], and the [[Alpha Delta Phi]] fraternity. He taught Sunday school in Brunswick during his freshman and sophomore years, and led the choir at the Congregational Church-First Parish Church during his Junior and Senior years. Chamberlain graduated in 1852, then entered the [[Bangor Theological Seminary]] for three years of study. Besides studying in Latin and German, Chamberlain eventually mastered French, Arabic, Hebrew and Syriac.<ref name=ww/>

Chamberlain became most famous for his achievements during the [[Battle of Gettysburg]]. On July 2, the [[Battle of Gettysburg, Second Day|second day of the battle]], Union forces were recovering from initial setbacks and hastily regrouping into defensive positions on a line of hills south of the town. Sensing the momentary vulnerability of the Union forces, the Confederates began an attack against the Union left flank. Chamberlain's brigade, commanded by Col. [[Strong Vincent]], was sent to defend [[Little Round Top]] by the army's Chief of Engineers, Brig. Gen. [[Gouverneur K. Warren]]. Chamberlain found himself and the 20th Maine at the far left end of the entire Union line. He quickly understood the strategic significance of the small hill, and the need for the 20th Maine to hold the Union left at all costs. The men from Maine waited until troops from the [[15th Alabama Infantry Regiment]], commanded by Col. [[William C. Oates]], charged up the hill, attempting to flank the Union position. Time and time again the Confederates struck, until the 20th Maine was almost doubled back upon itself. With many casualties and ammunition running low, Col. Chamberlain recognized the dire circumstances and ordered his left wing (which was now looking southeast, compared to the rest of the regiment, which was facing west) to initiate a bayonet charge. From his report of the day: "At that crisis, I ordered the bayonet. The word was enough." While battlefield conditions make it unlikely that many men heard Chamberlain's order, most historians believe he initiated the charge.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

 

 

For his "daring heroism and great tenacity in holding his position on the Little Round Top against repeated assaults, and carrying the advance position on the Great Round Top", Chamberlain was awarded the [[Medal of Honor]].

In April 1864, Chamberlain returned to the Army of the Potomac and was promoted to brigade commander shortly before the [[Siege of Petersburg]] and given command of the 1st Brigade, First Division, V Corps. In a major action on June 18, during the [[Second Battle of Petersburg]], Chamberlain was shot through the right hip and groin, the bullet exiting his left hip. Despite the injury, Chamberlain withdrew his sword and stuck it into the ground in order to keep himself upright to dissuade the growing resolve for retreat. He stood upright for several minutes until he collapsed and lay unconscious from loss of blood. The wound was considered mortal by the division's surgeon, who predicted he would perish; Chamberlain's incorrectly recorded death in battle was reported in the Maine newspapers, and Lt. Gen. [[Ulysses S. Grant]] gave Chamberlain a battlefield promotion to the rank of brigadier general after receiving an urgent recommendation on June 19 from corps commander Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren: "He has been recommended for promotion for gallant and efficient conduct on previous occasion and yesterday led his brigade against the enemy under most destructive fire. He expresses the wish that he may receive the recognition of his services by promotion before he dies for the gratification of his family and friends." Not expected to live, Chamberlain displayed surprising will and courage, and with the support of his brother Tom, was back in command by November. Although many, including his wife Fanny, urged Chamberlain to resign, he was determined to serve through the end of the war.

 

 

====Appomattox====

|[[File:Union_Army_LTC_rank_insignia.png|75x75px]]|| [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]]|| August 8, 1862 || [[United States Volunteers|Volunteers]]

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|-

|[[File:Union army brig gen rank insignia.jpg|75px|class=noviewer]]|| [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]]|| June 19, 1864 || Volunteers

|[[File:Union army maj gen rank insignia.jpg|75px|class=noviewer]]|| [[Colonel (United States)|Brevet]] [[Major general (United States)|Major General]]|| March 29, 1865 || Volunteers

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==See also==

{{Portal|Biography|American Civil War}}