Joshua Chamberlain, A True Hero

Joshua Chamberlain, a man of surprises—
and a giveaway

Hello from Susan Page Davis!

Most Americans have heard of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. He was a Civil War general on the Union side, best known for his gallantry at Gettysburg. But Chamberlain had many other skills and virtues.

Did you know that Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:

• Was a college professor? He took a sabbatical from his teaching post at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, to serve in the war with no prior military experience.

• Started his teaching career as a professor of rhetoric and was later named a professor of modern languages? He was fluent in nine languages other than English: Greek, Latin, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, and Syriac. He at some point taught every course in the curriculum at the college except science and mathematics.

• Was known as The Lion of the Round Top for his valiant defense

 
during the Battle of Gettysburg? He later received the Medal of Honor for his actions there. Having volunteered in 1862 and begun as a lieutenant, Chamberlain had been promoted to colonel of the 20th Maine regiment by this time.

• Was wounded six times during the war, including a critical wound at Petersburg?

• Was erroneously declared dead in Maine newspapers after the Battle of Petersburg? He was promoted to brigadier general by Ulysses S. Grant, who thought Chamberlain was dying, but he convalesced and went on to lead his men in to the end of the war.

• Served in 20 battles and numerous skirmishes and had six horses shot from under him?

• Was perhaps saved by his wife’s picture, when a bullet hit the frame in his breast pocket? The bullet fired in the skirmish at Quaker Road in 1865 traveled under his skin and along his ribs. His men thought he had been shot in the chest and were amazed when he kept encouraging them to attack. They won the skirmish.

Chamberlain in 1876, when he
 was president of Bowdoin College

• Had the honor of commanding the Union troops at the surrender ceremony for the Confederate army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia? His order to his men to “carry arms” as a show of respect for the surrendering southerners drew criticism from some Union sympathizers.

• Served four terms as governor of Maine after the war? He twice broke the record for highest percentage of votes for governor at that time.



Photo Credit: Brian Hendrix

• Faced down a crowd of men threatening to kill him? In 1880, the former governor was called in to help settle a post-election dispute. A band of armed men had taken over and occupied the Maine State House. Chamberlain was able to talk them into laying down their guns and going home.



• Is thought to be the last Civil War soldier to die of his wounds from that war. In 1914, at the age of 85, Chamberlain finally succumbed to the lingering effects of his wounds. 
 




I could tell you lots more about Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the quiet professor who became one of America’s greatest heroes. We’ll leave it there today. Which of these points surprised you most?
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Susan Page Davis is the author of more than fifty published novels. A history major, she’s always interested in the unusual happenings of the past. She’s a two-time winner of the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award, and also a winner of the Carol Award and the Will Rogers Medallion, and a finalist in the WILLA Awards and the More Than Magic Contest. Visit her website at: www.susanpagedavis.com .