The Professor Who Saved the Union: The Enduring Legacy of Joshua Chamberlain
The midday sun beat down mercilessly on the rocky slopes of Little Round Top, a nondescript hill that, on July 2, 1863, became the fulcrum of American destiny. Amidst the chaos of battle, the screaming of shells, and the desperate cries of men, stood a figure seemingly out of place: a college professor, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, leading the 20th Maine Infantry. With ammunition critically low and the Union flank on the verge of collapse, Chamberlain issued an order that would echo through history, a desperate, audacious gamble: "Bayonet charge!" This moment, immortalized in countless accounts, movies, and historical texts, cemented Chamberlain’s place as one of the Civil War’s most celebrated heroes. Yet, to understand the true measure of the man, one must look beyond this singular act of battlefield brilliance to the scholar, the governor, and the enduring symbol of the citizen-soldier.
Born in Brewer, Maine, in 1828, Chamberlain’s early life offered no hint of the military glory that awaited him. His family lineage was steeped in intellectual and religious pursuits, a tradition he eagerly embraced. A brilliant student, he graduated from Bowdoin College in 1852, then went on to study at Bangor Theological Seminary, preparing for a life in the ministry. However, a passion for academia ultimately led him back to Bowdoin, where he became a professor of rhetoric and modern languages, fluent in no less than ten. His days were filled with lectures on philosophy, ancient history, and moral science – a world far removed from the grim realities of warfare.
When the storm clouds of civil war gathered, Chamberlain, a man of profound moral conviction, felt a deep sense of duty. Though urged by Bowdoin to remain in his academic post, he found the call to defend the Union and abolish slavery irresistible. As he later wrote, "I was a citizen before I was a professor, and I must not forget my country in my calling." Despite his lack of military experience, he secured a commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the newly formed 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment in August 1862. His intellectual rigor, combined with a natural aptitude for leadership, quickly translated into effective command. He meticulously studied military tactics, learning on the job with an intensity that belied his academic background.
Chamberlain and the 20th Maine were soon plunged into the brutal crucible of war. They saw action at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, experiencing the horrors and developing the hardened resolve necessary for survival. It was at Fredericksburg, during a disastrous Union assault, that Chamberlain first truly demonstrated his coolness under fire, successfully extracting his regiment from a perilous position. These early engagements honed his leadership skills, teaching him the invaluable lessons of discipline, logistics, and, most importantly, the welfare of his men.
But it was Gettysburg that etched Chamberlain’s name into the annals of American history. On the second day of the battle, July 2, 1863, the 20th Maine, now under Chamberlain’s full command as colonel, was ordered to the extreme left flank of the Union line, atop Little Round Top. Their mission was simple yet vital: hold the line, no matter the cost. If the Confederates broke through, they could flank the entire Union army, leading to catastrophic defeat.
All afternoon, the 20th Maine endured relentless assaults from Confederate forces, primarily the 15th and 47th Alabama Regiments. Wave after wave of determined attackers surged up the hill, only to be met by fierce resistance. The fighting was hand-to-hand, brutal, and utterly desperate. As the sun began to set, the situation grew dire. The 20th Maine had sustained heavy casualties, and their ammunition was almost completely exhausted. With the enemy preparing for yet another charge, and no reserves to call upon, Chamberlain faced an impossible choice: retreat and risk the collapse of the Union flank, or attempt something unprecedented.
In a moment of inspired brilliance, drawing perhaps on his knowledge of ancient military tactics, Chamberlain made his fateful decision. Instead of waiting for the next Confederate assault, he ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge down the hill, swinging his left flank forward like a door. The unexpected maneuver, coupled with the ferocious yell of the charging Maine men, caught the Confederates completely off guard. Many threw down their arms and surrendered; others fled in disarray. The Union left flank was saved, and with it, perhaps the entire battle. It was a victory forged in desperation and daring, a testament to Chamberlain’s tactical genius and the unwavering courage of his men. For his actions on Little Round Top, Chamberlain would later be awarded the Medal of Honor, though not until 1893.
Gettysburg, however, was far from the end of Chamberlain’s service. He continued to lead his men through the grinding campaigns of 1864, including the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor, battles that saw some of the highest casualty rates of the war. His luck, however, finally ran out at Petersburg. On June 18, 1864, during an assault on Confederate trenches, a bullet struck him, passing through his hips and severely damaging his bladder. The wound was considered mortal, and he was left for dead on the field. Upon hearing of his presumed death, President Abraham Lincoln promoted him to Brigadier General on the spot, an exceedingly rare honor given only for exceptional bravery.
Miraculously, Chamberlain clung to life. Though suffering excruciating pain and carrying the open wound for the rest of his days, he defied medical expectations and returned to command in November 1864. His resilience was extraordinary, driven by an unshakeable belief in the Union cause. He led a brigade during the final push of the war, participating in the pursuit of Robert E. Lee’s army that culminated at Appomattox Court House.
It was at Appomattox, on April 12, 1865, that Chamberlain was entrusted with another profoundly significant role. As the highest-ranking Union officer present, he was chosen by General Ulysses S. Grant to preside over the formal surrender of the Confederate infantry. In a moment of profound grace and reconciliation, as the Confederate soldiers marched past to lay down their arms, Chamberlain ordered his Union troops to present arms in a silent salute. "On our part," he later wrote, "not a sound of trumpet, nor roll of drum; not a cheer, nor word nor whisper of vain-glorying, but an awed stillness rather, and breath-holding, as if it were the passing of the dead." This gesture, born of mutual respect and a desire for healing, transcended the animosity of war and set a tone for national reconciliation.
With the war concluded, Chamberlain returned to Maine, but his public service was far from over. He was elected Governor of Maine for four one-year terms, serving from 1866 to 1871. As governor, he navigated the complex challenges of the Reconstruction era, dealing with issues ranging from education and temperance to industrial development and the reintegration of veterans. His governorship was marked by integrity and a progressive vision for his state.
Following his political career, Chamberlain returned to his beloved Bowdoin College, where he served as its president from 1871 to 1883. His tenure was not without its challenges. The post-Civil War generation of students, many of whom were veterans themselves, brought a new level of assertiveness and a desire for more practical education. Chamberlain, ever the reformer, modernized the curriculum, expanded the science department, and grappled with issues of student discipline and institutional change, all while continuing to battle the persistent pain from his war wound.
Joshua Chamberlain’s life after the war was a testament to his multifaceted intellect and his unwavering sense of duty. He published several works, including his memoirs, "The Passing of the Armies," which offered invaluable insights into the final campaigns of the Civil War. He was a sought-after speaker, sharing his experiences and reflections on the war’s meaning. He served in various business and civic roles, always contributing to the betterment of his community and nation.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, the war’s physical toll remained with him until his dying day. The wound from Petersburg never fully healed, causing him chronic pain and requiring multiple surgeries. He passed away in 1914 at the age of 85, a direct result of complications from that same wound, making him effectively the last casualty of the Civil War.
Joshua Chamberlain’s legacy is profound and multifaceted. He embodies the ideal of the citizen-soldier: a man of intellect and peace who, when called upon, displayed extraordinary courage and leadership in war. His actions at Little Round Top remain a beacon of tactical brilliance and individual heroism. His gesture at Appomattox stands as a powerful symbol of reconciliation. And his post-war career as governor and college president demonstrates his enduring commitment to public service and intellectual pursuit.
In a nation often tempted to venerate military might above all else, Chamberlain offers a more nuanced hero: a scholar who understood the moral weight of conflict, a leader who inspired through both example and intellect, and a patriot whose devotion to his country extended far beyond the battlefield. He was, as much as any figure of his era, "the soul of Maine," and a shining example of the best of the American spirit. His story continues to inspire, reminding us that true courage often springs from an unexpected quarter, and that the greatest victories are sometimes won not just with bullets and bayonets, but with intellect, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to a cause greater than oneself.
