Joshua Chamberlain
Facts, information and articles about Joshua Chamberlain, a Civil War General during the American Civil War
Joshua Chamberlain Facts
Born
September 8, 1828 Brewer, Maine
Died
February 24, 1914 Portland, Maine
Years Of Service
1862–66
Rank
Brevet Major General
Brigadier General
Commands
20th Maine Infantry
3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps
1st Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps
1st Division, V Corps
Battles
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Gettysburg
Second Battle of Petersburg
Battle of White Oak Road
Battle of Five Forks
Appomattox Campaign
Joshua Chamberlain Articles
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Joshua Chamberlain summary: Joshua Chamberlain was born in Brewer, Maine and was the oldest child of the family with four siblings. His parents were Joshua Chamberlain and Sarah Dupree. Chamberlain married his wife Fanny Adams and eventually they had 5 children. Unfortunately, one of them died as a premature child and two during infancy. His wife’s father did not approve of the marriage at first but eventually did and in fact respected Chamberlain. Eventually Chamberlain became a professor of modern languages with a total of 10 languages he was fluent in. While Chamberlain did not receive any military training, he did have a desire to serve the country.
Joshua Chamberlain In The Civil War
During the Civil War, Chamberlain was given a leave of absence which was supposed to be used to go to Europe and study languages for a length of two years. He instead enlisted without the knowledge of his family and was eventually offered the colonelcy of Maine’s 20th regiment. Though he was offered that position, he rejected it as he wanted to learn about the military first. His regiment fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg and did not take many casualties. His regiment missed Chancellorsville because of a smallpox outbreak in the ranks. By 1863, Chamberlain was made colonel of his regiment. It was the battle of Gettysburg that brought fame to Chamberlain. Many stories were published about his defense of Little Round Top including a novel by the name “The Killer Angels.” Chamberlain received a medal of honor for extraordinary heroism while serving on the 20th on July 2nd of 1863 because of Little Round Top.
Joshua Chamberlain After The War
After the Civil War ended, Chamberlain went back to Maine. He became the governor of the state for four terms because of his popularity. He was attacked because of his support of capital punishment and because he refused to enforce prohibition.
Articles Featuring Joshua Chamberlain From History Net Magazines
On a bleak hillside overlooking the battleground of Sailor's Creek, General Robert E. Lee watched as hundreds of his men fled through the fields and wooded ravines below. "Men without guns, many without hats," one witness recalled, "all mingled with …
Reviewed by Peter S. Carmichael
By Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Fame for his actions at Little Round Top has overshadowed the rest of Joshua Chamberlain's historical résumé. Admirers and critics alike tend to reduce his wartime contributions to a single but …
Conceived in Liberty: Joshua Chamberlain, William Oates, and the American Civil War, by Mark Perry, Viking Penguin, New York, (800) 331-4624, 500 pages, $31.95.
Joshua Chamberlain of the 20th Maine is the closest thing we have to a Civil War …
Through Blood and Fire: Selected Civil War Papers of Major General Joshua Chamberlain, by Mark Nesbitt,Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa., 1996, $19.95.
Mark Nesbitt, best known for his best-selling Ghosts of Gettysburg series, has turned his attention to Maj. Gen. JoshuaChamberlain, …
Letters - Submit
Civil War Times COVER-HOGGING OVERINDULGENCE
When I was 10 years old, I was at a friend's house and happened upon his father's January 1978 issue of CWTI. I have collected and read cover to cover every issue …
MANTLED IN FIRE AND SMOKE
By David F. Cross
The Battle of Gettysburg, and perhaps the fate of the Union, was decided in one hour of desperate fighting on the rocky ledges of Little Round Top.
In June 1863, Confederate …
The Colorful 44th New York Regiment
Colonel Joshua Chamberlain's 20th Maine may have won the most fame during the grueling fight for control of Little Round Top, but the largest regimental monument on the battlefield today commemorates a brother regiment …
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Civil War Times
RIGHT, BUT A LITTLE WRONG
I had the great fortune to have been born and raised in the Gettysburg area and recall many instances of looking out over the revered battlefield, experiencing many of …
Why the South Lost the Civil War
Ten Civil War historians provide some contrasting–and probably controversial–views on how and why the Confederate cause ultimately ended in defeat.
Interviews by Carl Zebrowski
"The art of war is simple enough. Find out …
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