The Little Round Top Legend
The Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain may not have commanded a great army like William Sherman or steered a warship into battle like David Farragut. He wasn’t even elected president based on his Civil War record like Ulysses Grant. However, Chamberlain has become an iconic figure among Civil War enthusiasts, particularly those who consider the battle of Gettysburg to be the war’s defining moment.
A Desperate Gamble
On the second day of the battle, a determined Confederate attack threatened to overwhelm the Union forces on Little Round Top, a wooded hill. It was Chamberlain and his regiment, the 20th Maine Volunteers, who stood in the way. Running low on ammunition, Chamberlain made a bold decision: he ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge downhill at the Confederates, catching them off guard. Against all odds, it worked. Little Round Top was saved, and with it, the battle of Gettysburg and possibly the Union itself.
Presumption is the key word here. For decades after the battle, Union veteran organizations chose to meet on Cemetery Hill, not Little Round Top, considering it the crucial military position during the three-day clash in July 1863. However, in 1957, John J. Pullen’s The Twentieth Maine: A Volunteer Regiment in the Civil War brought Chamberlain and Little Round Top back into the spotlight. This resurgence continued with Michael Shaara’s The Killer Angels in 1974, which was later adapted into the film Gettysburg. Chamberlain’s image became ubiquitous, adorning keychains, t-shirts, and Christmas ornaments.
A Legacy of Books
Alongside the merchandise, numerous books have been written about Chamberlain’s life and legacy. These include works such as Alice Rains Trulock’s In the Hands of Providence: Joshua L. Chamberlain and the American Civil War and Tom Desjardin’s Joshua L. Chamberlain: A Life in Letters. Ronald C. White’s On Great Fields takes Chamberlain worship to new heights, praising his postwar efforts to foster reconciliation between the North and South.
A Complex Figure
White, not primarily a Civil War historian, brings his readable style to Chamberlain’s biography. He covers the major events of Chamberlain’s life, from his New England Puritan roots to his service in the Union Army and subsequent political and academic career. However, questions persist about Chamberlain’s impact. His terms as governor of Maine were unremarkable, and he played no significant role in Reconstruction. His attempts to portray himself as a hero in the postwar years were met with criticism from fellow veterans. Even his claims of commanding the Union side at Appomattox have been debunked.
Despite these uncertainties, Chamberlain’s fame endures, largely thanks to a novel and a movie. However, it remains unclear why Chamberlain receives such adulation, and White himself does not delve deeply into the military aspects of the Gettysburg battle. Nevertheless, Chamberlain’s story serves as a reminder that reputations can be fragile and subject to interpretation.
On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain by Ronald C. White
Review by Allen C. Guelzo, director of the Initiative on Politics and Statesmanship in Princeton University’s James Madison Program and author of Robert E. Lee: A Life.
Who was the hero of Little Round Top at Gettysburg?
Anyone who knows the Civil War history of Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg likely remembers the name of the man who held the hill, Army Maj. Gen. Joshua Chamberlain. His actions July 2, 1863, were pivotal to the Union winning that crucial battle, and, years later, they earned him the Medal of Honor.
The Hero Emerges
Chamberlain’s heroic actions on Little Round Top solidified his legacy as one of the Civil War’s most unlikely heroes. Born in Brewer, Maine in 1828, Chamberlain initially had no military ambitions. He pursued a career in academia, earning a doctorate in theology and becoming a professor at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. However, when the war broke out in 1861, Chamberlain felt a deep sense of duty and enlisted in the Union army.
Chamberlain’s leadership and bravery on the battlefield were evident from the start. He quickly rose through the ranks and was eventually given command of the 20th Maine Volunteers. It was during the battle of Gettysburg that Chamberlain would etch his name in history. His decisive actions on Little Round Top saved the day for the Union army.
Charging down the hill with bayonets fixed and running out of ammunition, Chamberlain and his men caught the Confederates off guard. They fought valiantly and held their ground, effectively halting the Confederate advance. Their success had far-reaching consequences, as it allowed the Union army to maintain their position and ultimately secure victory at Gettysburg.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Chamberlain’s heroism at Gettysburg earned him numerous accolades, including the Medal of Honor, which was awarded to him many years later in 1893. After the war, Chamberlain went on to serve as the governor of Maine and later as the president of Bowdoin College. He was also present at Appomattox Court House when General Robert E. Lee surrendered, marking the end of the Civil War.
Chamberlain’s legacy continued to grow long after his death in 1914. His character and leadership were showcased in various literary works and films that immortalized his role in the battle of Gettysburg. In addition to Pullen’s book and Shaara’s novel, Ken Burns’ acclaimed documentary series “The Civil War” also featured Chamberlain as a key figure.
Today, Chamberlain’s statue stands proudly on Little Round Top, a testament to his remarkable bravery and leadership. His unlikely heroism serves as a reminder that true courage and heroism can come from the most unexpected places and in the most challenging circumstances.
Conclusion
While he may not have had the fame and recognition of other Civil War heroes, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain’s heroism on Little Round Top at the battle of Gettysburg has secured his place in history. His decisive actions and unwavering leadership demonstrated the true spirit of a hero, saving the Union and shaping the course of the Civil War. Chamberlain’s legacy continues to inspire and captivate Civil War enthusiasts, reminding us that heroism can emerge from even the most unlikely sources.
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