Joshua Chamberlain
Joshua Chamberlain
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was an American college professor from the State of Maine, who volunteered during the American Civil War to join the Union Army. He became a highly respected and decorated Union officer, reaching the rank of brigadier general. He is most well known for his gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg, which earned him the Medal of Honor...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionWar Hero
Date of Birth8 September 1828
CityBrewer, ME
CountryUnited States of America
We have to go in places no body would ever think of going into were it not for the necessities of war.
He had somehow, with all his modesty, the rare faculty of controlling his superiors as well as his subordinates. He outfaced Stanton, captivated the President, and even compelled acquiescence or silence from that dread source of paralyzing power, the Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War.
I am not of Virginia blood; she is of mine.
A radiant fellowship of the fallen.
The edge of the conflict swayed to and fro, with wild whirlpools and eddies. At times I saw around me more of the enemy than of my own men; gaps opening, swallowing, closing again with sharp convulsive energy. All around, a strange, mingled roar.
The pageant has passed. That day is over. But we linger, loath to think we shall see them no more together - these men, these horses, these colors afield.
Every man I believe that God has given a Divine spark of soul.
I do not pretend to write much of a letter. You know under what circumstances I am writing.
Just after writing those we were called up to defend a new position on the left, where the terrible storming of the bridge over the Antietam took place.
I long to be in the Field again, doing my part to keep the old flag up, with all its stars.
But we can hold our spirits and our bodies so pure and high, we may cherish such thoughts and such ideals, and dream such dreams of lofty purpose, that we can determine and know what manner of men we will be, whenever and wherever the hour strikes and calls to noble action.
Rations were scarcely issued, and the men about preparing supper, when rumors that the enemy had been encountered that day near Gettysburg absorbed every other interest, and very soon orders came to march forthwith to Gettysburg.
We fought no better, perhaps, than they. We exhibited, perhaps, no higher individual qualities.
This is the great reward of service, to live, far out and on, in the life of others; this is the mystery of Christ, - to give life's best for such high sake that it shall be found again unto life eternal.