Who is Joshua Chamberlain?

Joshua Chamberlain was perhaps one of the most revered war heroes in this history of America’s military. An educator with virtually no experience in military leadership, Chamberlain took the reigns as a General at the height of the United States Civil War. It was one of his finest moments when he led the Union at Gettysburg, earning him a Medal of Honor.

Born in Brewer, Maine, in 1828, Chamberlain was born to Joshua and Sarah Chamberlain. He taught himself to read Ancient Greek and would use his skill to pass an entrance exam to gain admission into Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Chamberlain befriended a wife of a Bowdoin professor, a writer named Harriet Beecher Stowe. Chamberlain graduated from Bowdoin in 1852, and would return there as a professor later in his life. In 1855, he married Fanny Adams, who was the adopted daughter of a preacher who originally did not approve of Chamberlain. Soon, her father and Chamberlain would grow a mutual respect for each other. Joshua and Fanny would had five children, three died in infancy.

Chamberlain later enrolled at the Bangor Theological Seminary, where he would study there for three years. Afterwards, he would return to his alma mater of Bowdoin to teach a wide variety of subjects with the exception of math and science. Chamberlain was fluent in nine languages, which gave him in advantage in being appointed to become a professor in Modern Languages in 1861. Shortly thereafter, the Civil War had begun.

Chamberlain had no previous military leadership experience, but had a very strong desire to serve his country. However, members of the Chamberlain family have previously served in military service. Franklin Chamberlain, his paternal great-grandfather fought for the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. His grandfather, also named Joshua, fought in the War of 1812. His father served in the Aroostook War of 1839, though the war did not have any battles. He enlisted after the start of the war, although his family and the people of Bowdoin were unaware of his intentions. Originally offered to become a Colonel, Chamberlain refused to take the rank and wanted to learn at a lower level and how the duties were carried out. On August 8, 1862, Chamberlain was appointed lieutenant colonel, under Col. Adelbert Ames of the 20^th Maine Regiment. Thomas Chamberlain, Joshua’s younger brighter, was an officer as well.

Chamberlain’s first battle was the Battle of Fredricksburg. He previously marched in the Battle of Antietam, but did not take part in the fighting. Chamberlain’s regiment suffered a small amount of casualties. His soldiers would spend the night in the battlefield, freezing from the cold temperatures. Chamberlain recalled in his diary of taking shelter using bodies of the dead and a pillow.

The 20^th Regiment missed the Battle of Chancellorsville due to an outbreak of smallpox that would claim several soldiers. The outbreak was blamed on an errant smallpox vaccination. Shortly after the battle, Chamberlain was promoted to Colonel after Col. Ames himself was promoted. Colonel Chamberlain continued to command the 20th Maine Regiment and lead them in one of the Civil War’s most epic battles. It was the Battle of Gettysburg that would cement Chamberlain’s place in history.

Chamberlain was sent to defend the southern slope of Little Round Top on the second dy of battle. The 20^th Maine set themselves in position and waited for the 15^th Alabama Infantry Regiment lead Col. William C. Oates to charge up the small hill. The 20^th Maine charged down creating a simultaneous assault, resulting in the capture of over 100 Confederate soldiers. Chamberlain sustained minor wounds, but fell ill prior to the battle. After recovering from illness, Chamberlain returned to active duty to lead the siege of Petersburg.

In April 1864, Chamberlain was promoted to brigade commander before the Siege of Petersburg. On June 18^th, Chamberlain was shot through the right hip and groin during the Second battle of Petersburg. Newspapers in Maine had falsely reported the death of Chamberlain, although Chamberlain eventually survived from injuries. Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant promoted Chamberlain to the rank of brigadier general. Though many didn’t expect him to live through the rest of the war, Chamberlain continued to fight despite calls from his family to leave the war. In early 1865, Chamberlain became the commander of the 1^st Brigade of the 1^st Division of V Corp. On April 10, 1865, Chamberlain presided over the parade of Confederate soldiers as a part of their official declaration of surrender. As a form of respect, Chamberlain order his troops to salute the Confederates. This move was not popular with Union supporters, though the actions were defended in his memoirs.

After the war, Chamberlain returned to Maine in a hero’s welcome. His popularity remained high, giving him an advantage to serve as Governor of Maine from 1867 to 1871. Shortly after leaving political office, he returned to Bowdoin once again. That same year, he was appointed president and remained there until retiring in 1883. In 1893, nearly 30 years after Gettysburg, Chamberlain was awarded the Medal of Honor. In his later life, his health declined due to his numerous war wounds. Chamberlain died in 1914 at age 85 in Portland, Maine.