Chamberlain's Role In The Civil War
Chamberlain, the Hero of the Civil War
We all have certain people that we look up to, whether it be a friend, family member, celebrity, or so on, they impact our life. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the oldest of five ad part of the family with a spectacular history of bravery. All the men before him, in his family, that lived in America, served for their country and there’s no doubt that this strongly influenced Chamberlain growing up. Chamberlain was a college professor, but decided to leave his job early to help out with the war. Joshua went on to be a hero in the Civil War, most notably, day two at Gettysburg. He saved the far left on Little Round Top, and was praised heavily for doing so. Not only did he get his men to pull this off, but he also cared for each of them dearly, and encouraged them every step of the way. He was a true leader. Then, despite some severe battle wounds, he lived for a while after, and was named President of Bowdoin College, the 23rd governor of Maine, and won a medal of honor for his outstanding performance of patriotism at Gettysburg. All together he was a great leader, source of encouragement, and a role model for not just the people of the time period, but those who hear of him today as well. As a young boy in early times of American history, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain grew up with war all around him. When he was grown up he decided to be a college professor. Then there started to be multiple abolitionists of slavery uprising. One of the most notable ones was Frederick Douglass. With all this fuss about ending slavery and Lincoln gaining presidency, slavery was heading towards the end of it’s career with a new war about to break out. All knew that president Lincoln was planning on abolishing slavery and as a result the Southern states decided they wanted to secede from the union. The president wasn't about to just let them leave, so he decided to issue a war against the Confederates. When this happens the inspired
young man who was strongly influenced by his father and grandfather decided to fight in the war for the union. “His great-grandfather served in the colonial and Revolutionary wars, his grandfather was a colonel in the War of 1812, and his father acted as second in command on the American side in the so-called Aroostook War in 1839” (“Joshua” 1). That man was Chamberlain, he became a leader and he did this quite well, as many would agree. Joshua Chamberlain was an extremely significant and crucial leader to have in the Civil War. He not only had the phenomenal family history of fighting in American wars, but he was also a very caring man. With that amazing quality, he helped to encourage all of his soldiers to continue even if they were tired, injured, etc. “You must care for your men’s welfare. You must show physical courage.” (Shaara, Michael 66). This quote clearly demonstrates how Chamberlain held strong even through the hardest of times, and he did it all to help his men move along. Joshua not only mentally prepared every soldier for battle but he also did a fantastic job leading his army on Little Round Top. “Twentieth Maine, led by Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain, valiantly repulsed a Confederate assault despite being out of ammunition. This prevented Longstreet from turning the Army of the Potomac's left” (“Gettysburg”). This shows how great of a job he did at pushing back the Confederates, which significantly influenced the overall outcome of the battle at Gettysburg. “As a colonel he commanded a regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and performed so admirably, despite being wounded, that he was subsequently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor” (“Chamberlain, Joshua Lawrence” 1). This lastly shows how significant his acts at Gettysburg were, so in exchange for his hard work, persistence, and optimism, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Obviously, his efforts were highly appreciated. As great as Chamberlain’s acts were at the time, the impacts may have even been just as significant. After he did an outstanding job at Gettysburg he then went and was given command of another regiment, as this was highly deserved. “Chamberlain was already famous in the Army of the Potomac for his Little Round Top heroics at Gettysburg the previous July, and when he returned to active duty in April 1864 after an extended illness, he was given command of the Keystone State regiments” (Civil War Times 1). Clearly, had no desire to take what Chamberlain did for granted, in fact, they awarded him a medal after his heroic leadership on Little Round Top. “Joshua Chamberlain of Brewer, a Bowdoin College graduate, commanded the Twentieth Maine at a pivotal moment on Little Round Top during the battle of Gettysburg, for which he received a Medal of Honor” (“Maine” 1). After he retired from all of the battles that he led, he then went on to be the Republican governor of Maine. “In 1867 Maine's Republican governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain (1828–1914)” (“Canada” 1). This just makes Joshua extra special, because as a person he has almost too many amazing attributes, he’s a great leader, a caring person, a governor, and a college professor. There’s not much more a father could ask for in a son. “One cannot shake the feeling that local hero Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain deserves a grander grave site. After all, the renowned Union general compiled a remarkable list of accomplishments…” (“Brunswick” 1). So many saw Chamberlain as a man of versatility, he was truly heroic.
So many people find ways to impact our daily life, whether they do it directly or indirectly. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was so thankfully influenced by his family members that fought in previous American wars. Joshua went on to be the hero of the Civil War, specifically, at day two of Gettysburg. He saved the far left on Little Round Top, and got all the recognition necessary for his incredibly brave act. Chamberlain shared a bond with his men like no other, and really did his best to encourage them and keep them moving along no matter what the situation was. He was the leader of the battle at Gettysburg. Joshua Chamberlain went on after that battle to then achieve so much more than most other men would. He was extremely persistent and driven. It was because of his high drive for achievement that later led him to becoming a governor, leading another war, and so much more. Bottom line he was a fantastic person that so many other leaders strived to become. Just as how Chamberlain’s family members influenced him to be a heroic leader, he went on to inspire so many future leaders to try to even achieve half of what he has.
We all have certain people that we look up to, whether it be a friend, family member, celebrity, or so on, they impact our life. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the oldest of five ad part of the family with a spectacular history of bravery. All the men before him, in his family, that lived in America, served for their country and there’s no doubt that this strongly influenced Chamberlain growing up. Chamberlain was a college professor, but decided to leave his job early to help out with the war. Joshua went on to be a hero in the Civil War, most notably, day two at Gettysburg. He saved the far left on Little Round Top, and was praised heavily for doing so. Not only did he get his men to pull this off, but he also cared for each of them dearly, and encouraged them every step of the way. He was a true leader. Then, despite some severe battle wounds, he lived for a while after, and was named President of Bowdoin College, the 23rd governor of Maine, and won a medal of honor for his outstanding performance of patriotism at Gettysburg. All together he was a great leader, source of encouragement, and a role model for not just the people of the time period, but those who hear of him today as well. As a young boy in early times of American history, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain grew up with war all around him. When he was grown up he decided to be a college professor. Then there started to be multiple abolitionists of slavery uprising. One of the most notable ones was Frederick Douglass. With all this fuss about ending slavery and Lincoln gaining presidency, slavery was heading towards the end of it’s career with a new war about to break out. All knew that president Lincoln was planning on abolishing slavery and as a result the Southern states decided they wanted to secede from the union. The president wasn't about to just let them leave, so he decided to issue a war against the Confederates. When this happens the inspired
young man who was strongly influenced by his father and grandfather decided to fight in the war for the union. “His great-grandfather served in the colonial and Revolutionary wars, his grandfather was a colonel in the War of 1812, and his father acted as second in command on the American side in the so-called Aroostook War in 1839” (“Joshua” 1). That man was Chamberlain, he became a leader and he did this quite well, as many would agree. Joshua Chamberlain was an extremely significant and crucial leader to have in the Civil War. He not only had the phenomenal family history of fighting in American wars, but he was also a very caring man. With that amazing quality, he helped to encourage all of his soldiers to continue even if they were tired, injured, etc. “You must care for your men’s welfare. You must show physical courage.” (Shaara, Michael 66). This quote clearly demonstrates how Chamberlain held strong even through the hardest of times, and he did it all to help his men move along. Joshua not only mentally prepared every soldier for battle but he also did a fantastic job leading his army on Little Round Top. “Twentieth Maine, led by Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain, valiantly repulsed a Confederate assault despite being out of ammunition. This prevented Longstreet from turning the Army of the Potomac's left” (“Gettysburg”). This shows how great of a job he did at pushing back the Confederates, which significantly influenced the overall outcome of the battle at Gettysburg. “As a colonel he commanded a regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and performed so admirably, despite being wounded, that he was subsequently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor” (“Chamberlain, Joshua Lawrence” 1). This lastly shows how significant his acts at Gettysburg were, so in exchange for his hard work, persistence, and optimism, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Obviously, his efforts were highly appreciated. As great as Chamberlain’s acts were at the time, the impacts may have even been just as significant. After he did an outstanding job at Gettysburg he then went and was given command of another regiment, as this was highly deserved. “Chamberlain was already famous in the Army of the Potomac for his Little Round Top heroics at Gettysburg the previous July, and when he returned to active duty in April 1864 after an extended illness, he was given command of the Keystone State regiments” (Civil War Times 1). Clearly, had no desire to take what Chamberlain did for granted, in fact, they awarded him a medal after his heroic leadership on Little Round Top. “Joshua Chamberlain of Brewer, a Bowdoin College graduate, commanded the Twentieth Maine at a pivotal moment on Little Round Top during the battle of Gettysburg, for which he received a Medal of Honor” (“Maine” 1). After he retired from all of the battles that he led, he then went on to be the Republican governor of Maine. “In 1867 Maine's Republican governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain (1828–1914)” (“Canada” 1). This just makes Joshua extra special, because as a person he has almost too many amazing attributes, he’s a great leader, a caring person, a governor, and a college professor. There’s not much more a father could ask for in a son. “One cannot shake the feeling that local hero Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain deserves a grander grave site. After all, the renowned Union general compiled a remarkable list of accomplishments…” (“Brunswick” 1). So many saw Chamberlain as a man of versatility, he was truly heroic.
So many people find ways to impact our daily life, whether they do it directly or indirectly. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was so thankfully influenced by his family members that fought in previous American wars. Joshua went on to be the hero of the Civil War, specifically, at day two of Gettysburg. He saved the far left on Little Round Top, and got all the recognition necessary for his incredibly brave act. Chamberlain shared a bond with his men like no other, and really did his best to encourage them and keep them moving along no matter what the situation was. He was the leader of the battle at Gettysburg. Joshua Chamberlain went on after that battle to then achieve so much more than most other men would. He was extremely persistent and driven. It was because of his high drive for achievement that later led him to becoming a governor, leading another war, and so much more. Bottom line he was a fantastic person that so many other leaders strived to become. Just as how Chamberlain’s family members influenced him to be a heroic leader, he went on to inspire so many future leaders to try to even achieve half of what he has.