Joshua Chamberlain, a man of surprises…
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. At some point, he 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. - 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 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. - 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. - 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 effects of his lingering 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?
Susan Page Davis is the author of more than one hundred 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 three Will
Rogers Medallions for historical fiction, and a finalist in the Selah Award, WILLA Awards and
the More Than Magic Contest. Visit her website at: https://susanpagedavis.com
