Joshua Chamberlain: Difference between revisions

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.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

 

 

=====Medal of Honor citation=====