Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: Affaliance And Courage

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a 19th century Military and Political leader of great valiance and courage. His actions at the Battle of Gettysburg exemplify his duty to country, bravery and courage, and his traits as a Citizen Soldier. Chamberlain was born in Brewer, Maine, in September of 1828, and was the oldest of his four siblings. Educated at Bowdoin College in Brunswick he met many people who would later influence his life, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe who would go on to write Uncle Tom’s Cabin. He married Fanny Adams in 1955 and had five children, only two of which survived. In 1861 Joshsua Chamberlain was appointed Professor of Modern Languages as Bowdoin, where he was fluent in 9 languages other than English including Latin and Arabic.
Joshua came from a family with military history, and strongly supported the Union and it’s cause in the Civil War. During his classes he spoke freely of his beliefs, urging students to follow their hearts in regards to the war. In support of the war effort, he wrote a …show more content…
Located on the Union’s leftmost flank, he quickly realized the strategic significance of the small hill and need for the regiment to hold their position at all costs. Through the heat of the battle, confederate forces accumulated at the base of the hill and began to push the regiment back. With ammunition running low and many soldiers wounded or killed, Chamberlain recognized the dire situation and ordered a simultaneous frontal charge and flanking maneuver, surrounding the confederate soldiers and saving both the flank and their strategic position. For his "daring heroism and great tenacity in holding his position on the Little Round Top against repeated assaults, and carrying the advance position on the Great Round Top,” Chamberlain received the Medal of Honor, awarded to him in 1893, which now resides in the Joshua L. Chamberlain