Joshua Chamberlain: Difference between revisions

At the beginning of the [[American Civil War]], Chamberlain believed the Union needed to be supported against the Confederacy by all those willing. On several occasions, Chamberlain spoke freely of his beliefs during his class, urging students to follow their hearts in regards to the war while maintaining that the cause was just. Of his desire to serve in the War, he wrote to Maine's Governor [[Israel Washburn, Jr.]], "I fear, this war, so costly of blood and treasure, will not cease until men of the North are willing to leave good positions, and sacrifice the dearest personal interests, to rescue our country from desolation, and defend the national existence against treachery."<ref>As cited in: Thomas A. Desjardin, ''Joshua L. Chamberlain'', Greystone Communication, 1999, p. 22.</ref> Many faculty at Bowdoin did not feel his enthusiasm for various reasons and Chamberlain was subsequently granted a leave of absence (supposedly to study languages for two years in [[Europe]]). He then promptly enlisted unbeknownst to his family and those at Bowdoin. Offered the [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]]cy of the [[20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment|20th Maine Regiment]], he declined, according to his biographer, John J. Pullen, preferring to "start a little lower and learn the business first."{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} He was appointed [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] of the regiment on August 8, 1862, under the command of [[Colonel (United States)|Col.]] [[Adelbert Ames]]. The 20th was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, [[V Corps (Union Army)|V Corps]] in the Union [[Army of the Potomac]]. One of Chamberlain's younger brothers, [[Thomas Chamberlain (soldier)|Thomas Chamberlain]], was also an officer of the 20th Maine, and another, John Chamberlain, visited the regiment at Gettysburg as a member of the [[U.S. Christian Commission]] until appointed as a chaplain in another Maine Volunteer regiment.{{fact|date=December 2022}}

The 20th Maine fought at the [[Battle of Fredericksburg]], suffering relatively small numbers of casualties in the assaults on Marye's Heights, but were forced to spend a miserable night on the freezing battlefield among the many wounded from other regiments. Chamberlain chronicled this night well in his diary and went to great length discussing his having to use bodies of the fallen for shelter and a pillow while listening to the bullets zip into the corpses.{{fact|date=December 2022}}

The 20th missed the [[Battle of Chancellorsville]] in May 1863 due to an outbreak of [[smallpox]] in their ranks (which was caused by an errant smallpox vaccine), keeping them on guard duty in the rear.<ref>Desjardin, pp. 4–5.</ref> Chamberlain was promoted to [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] of the regiment in June 1863 upon the promotion of Ames.{{fact|date=December 2022}}

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.{{fact|date=December 2022}}

The 20th Maine charged down the hill, with the left wing wheeling continually to make the charging line swing like a hinge, thus creating a simultaneous [[frontal assault]] and [[flanking maneuver]], capturing 101 of the Confederate soldiers and successfully saving the flank. This version of the battle was popularized by the book ''[[The Killer Angels]]'' and the movie ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]''. Chamberlain sustained one slight wound in the battle, one when a shot hit his sword scabbard and bruised his thigh. Chamberlain also personally took a Confederate prisoner with his saber during the charge. After initiating the maneuver, he came upon a Confederate officer wielding a revolver who quickly fired, narrowly missing his face. Chamberlain remained steadfast, and with his sword at the officer's throat accepted the man's arms and surrender.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scienceviews.com/parks/chamberlain.html|title = Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain & the 20th Maine at Gettysburg}}</ref> The pistol Chamberlain captured at Gettysburg can still be seen on display in the Civil War exhibit of the [[Maine State Museum]]. For his tenacity at defending Little Round Top, he was known by the sobriquet ''Lion of the Round Top.'' Prior to the battle, Chamberlain was quite ill, developing malaria and dysentery. Later, due to this illness, he was taken off active duty until he recovered.{{fact|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]].{{fact|date=December 2022}}

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.{{fact|date=December 2022}}