Joshua Chamberlain's Efforts At The Battle Of Gettysburg

Joshua Chamberlain’s efforts at Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg led to the Union victory at Gettysburg and the turning point of the Civil War. After the Civil War, Chamberlain received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the defense of Little Round Top, during the battle. Joshua Chamberlain was considered a hero at the Battle of Gettysburg because of his actions at Little Round Top where he and his regiment successfully protected the Union line. Chamberlain was a crucial part of the Civil War, especially for his performance at the Battle of Gettysburg, the defense at Little Round Top, and his role at the Appomattox Court House, where Robert E. Lee signed the Letter of Surrender, that ended the Civil War.

Although more commonly

Once the war started Chamberlain very badly wanted to serve for the Union. His employer, Bowdoin College, forbid him from serving, but he found a way around this. In 1862, Joshua Chamberlain requested a sabbatical leave to go to Europe, but instead he immediately enlisted in the Union Army (biography.com). He was assigned to the 20th Regiment of Maine as a Lieutenant Colonel. Chamberlain’s father was facinatinated with the military, and this helped feed Joshua Chamberlain’s desire to serve. Chamberlain and his brother served together in the 20th Regiment of Maine, and Joshua Chamberlain was the Colonel of the 20th Regiment of Maine, and led them during the Battle of

In 1863, after the previous Colonel was promoted to a new position, Chamberlain became Commander of the 20th Regiment of Maine. Joshua Chamberlain was a crucial part of the Union victory at Gettysburg. This is due to his efforts at the defense of Little Round Top. Little Round Top was an important piece of land. It was high ground, and it was at the end of the Union line. If the Confederates gained the land, than they could rain fire on the Union troops below. The 20th Regiment of Maine was responsible for defending the extreme left side of Little Round Top at all costs (Official Records). Joshua Chamberlain was told that his Regiment was most likely going to be attacked (Official Records). It was probably going to be a dire attack. Chamberlain’s 20th Regiment of Maine had roughly 250 men at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg (The Killer Angels). Once the Confederates attacked, “Chamberlain ordered a right-wheel maneuver (civilwar.org).” This was at the defense of Little Round Top where Chamberlain order a crucial bayonet charge at the Confederates. Joshua Chamberlain ordered a charge because the 20th of Maine was running low on ammunition. Chamberlain was trying to hold off the Confederates, and prevent a flank. To prevent a flank he ordered a pinwheel like motion, for the bayonet charge. A right-wheel maneuver is when the right side of the line swings like