Joshua L Chamberlain
Joshua L Chamberlain Once a missionary and fluent in 9 languages, it is hard to believe that Joshua Chamberlain would become one of the greatest colonels in American history. Chamberlain’s, courage, intelligence and leadership in the Civil War played a pivotal role in defeating the Confederate forces and ultimately unifying America. Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain was born on September 8, 1828 in Brewer, Maine. His parents, Joshua and Sarah Dupee Chamberlain, named him after the heroic Commodore James Lawrence who had immortalized the words “Don’t give up the ship! The eldest of five children, young Lawrence was raised as a Puritan and Huguenot (French Protestant) in a household which prized good manners, cheerfulness, morality, education, and industry. Despite his father’s wishes; who was a former lieutenant colonel in the military, Chamberlain in 1848, enrolled at Bowdoin College at Brunswick. As a student Chamberlain earned a reputation for standing behind his principles even when challenged by authorities. As a student he enjoyed singing and playing the bass viol on which he was self taught.
He also taught himself how to play the organ which would eventually lead to him becoming the organist for the college chapel. It was there where he would meet future wife, Fannie Adams; the adopted daughter of the minister. They would not be married until 1855, following his graduation from both a three-year seminary course at Bangor Theological Seminary and Bowdoin College with his master’s degree. . In spring of 1856, Chamberlain was elected professor of rhetoric and oratory at Bowdoin. By 1861, he was elected to the chair of modern languages.
With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Chamberlain felt a strong desire to serve his country. At that time though, he was offered a year’s travel with pay in Europe in 1862 to study languages, Chamberlain instead volunteered his military services to Maine’s governor. He was soon made lieutenant colonel of the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Under Commander Adelbert Ames, Chamberlain learned about soldiering and how to be in charge of a regiment. The first battle fought by the 20th Maine was at Fredericksburg.
They suffered 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. By the end of May 1863, Chamberlain was appointed colonel of his regiment. Chamberlain’s first real test in battle came on July 2, 1863. It was the second day of battle at Gettysburg. The 20th Maine, among the regiments in Colonel Strong Vincent’s 3rd Brigade, was positioned at the far left of the line on Little Round Top.
In an effort to claim this ground and decimate the Union line, Confederate General John Bell Hood’s brigades advanced up the rocky hill. A number of Union officers were killed in the midst of the fray, including Colonel Vincent. Chamberlain was now left in a desperate situation. Having been given an order by Vincent to hold the Union’s ground at all costs and not to retreat, yet learning that his men’s ammunition was virtually depleted, he had to make a quick decision. Chamberlain decided to counterattack and thus ordered a bayonet charge down the hill.
As a result to Chamberlain poise and keen thinking, the forces were able to defeat the confederate troops; saving the flank. In early May, 1864 Chamberlain returned to command his brigade during the battle of Spotsylvania. On June 2nd and 3rd, he and the 20th Maine fought at Bethesda Church, not far from Cold Harbor. As in other engagements Chamberlain threw himself into the thick of the battle, executing commands with and great composure. This would be the last time he would lead the 20th. A few days later, Chamberlain was appointed commander of the 1st Division’s new 1st Brigade of Pennsylvania regiments.
Chamberlain perhaps showed his greatest example of courage during the second battle of Petersburg at Rives Salient on June 18, 1864. At one point, he bore the flag after the color bearer was killed at his side, until he too was shot by a confederate soldier. Though the wound was severe, Chamberlain maintained his composure until every one of his men had passed from view. Even in his grave condition he refused preferential treatment, insisting that others with far more serious wounds be tended to first. Chamberlain was admitted into the Naval Academy hospital at Annapolis with little hope for is survival, but as his will to live was strong, he would not remain hospitalized for very long. By November he again reported for duty, despite the fact that he could not yet ride a horse or walk a great distance. On March 29, 1865, Chamberlain and his 1st Brigade headed up Quaker Road and engaged in an intense fight in which they employed their bayonets. Chamberlain was wounded after his horse was shot under him and was nearly taken prisoner but eluded his captors by posing as a Confederate officer. Despite his injury in this battle, Chamberlain remained in command.
He ordered his men to capture enemy breastworks and drive the Confederates from their position, thus opening a path to the Boydton Plank and White Oak Roads. By exhibiting exceptional leadership and organizational skills, Chamberlain had attained that coveted lodgment on the White Oak Road. On April 9, 1865 Chamberlain was approached by a confederate officer delivering the message of General Lee’s surrender. On April 12, in Appomattox, Virginia General Ulysses Grant chose Chamberlain to receive the formal surrender of weapons and colors.
Always a chivalrous man, Chamberlain had his men salute the defeated Confederates as they marched by, thus showing his admiration for their courage. After the war Chamberlain decided to pursue his political career, and in September of 1866 he was elected governor of Maine by the largest majority in the state’s history. He would serve four terms in all, concluding his last at the end of 1870. In 1871 he was elected President of Bowdoin College; the school he graduated from, until 1883. On February 24, 1914 at the age of 86, Chamberlain died.
The cause of his death was due to a wound that he had suffered in war years ago. In all, Chamberlain served in 20 battles and numerous skirmishes, was cited for bravery four times, had six horses shot from under him, and was wounded six times. He was extremely intelligent, courageous, and possessed innate leadership abilities. He used these qualities both during and outside of battles making him very successful in everything he attempted. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain will always be regarded as one of the key figures in shaping this country into what it is today. The Biography of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. ” 1st Dragoon’s Web Sites. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. ;http://dragoon1st. tripod. com/cw/files/jlc1. html;. “The American Civil War, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. ” Index of /. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. ;http://history-world. org/Chamberlain. htm;. Through Blood and Fire: Selected Civil War Papers of Major General Joshua Chamberlain, by Mark Nesbitt, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA, 1996. In the Hands of Providence: Joshua L. Chamberlain and the American Civil War, by Alice Rains Trulock, The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC, 1992.
