Joshua Chamberlain

Joshua L. Chamberlain
Chamberlain in the 1860s
32nd Governor of Maine
In office January 2, 1867 – January 4, 1871
Preceded by	Samuel Cony
Succeeded by	Sidney Perham
6th President of Bowdoin College
In office 1871–1883
Preceded by	Samuel Harris
Succeeded by	William De Witt Hyde
Personal details
Born	Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain (1828-09-08)September 8, 1828 Brewer, Maine, U.S.
Died	February 24, 1914(1914-02-24) (aged 85) Portland, Maine, U.S.
Resting place	Pine Grove Cemetery, Brunswick, Maine
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Fanny Chamberlain ​ ​ (m. 1855; died 1905)​
Children	5
Residence	Brunswick, Maine
Alma mater	Bowdoin College
Profession	Professor, Soldier
Awards	Medal of Honor
Signature
Nickname(s)	"Lion of the Round Top" "Bloody Chamberlain"
Military service
Allegiance	United States (Union)
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1862–1866
Rank	Brigadier General Brevet Major General
Commands	20th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps 1st Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps 1st Division, V Corps
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg Battle of Gettysburg Little Round Top Battle of Cold Harbor Second Battle of Petersburg Appomattox Campaign Battle of White Oak Road Battle of Five Forks

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (born Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain, September 8, 1828 – February 24, 1914)^[1][2] was an American college professor from Maine who volunteered during the American Civil War to join the Union Army. He became a highly respected and decorated Union officer, reaching the rank of brigadier general (and brevet major general). He is best known for his gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg, leading an unexpected bayonet charge, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Chamberlain was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment in 1862, and fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg. He became commander of the regiment in June 1863 when losses at the Battle of Chancellorsville elevated the original commander, Colonel Adelbert Ames, to brigade command.^[3] During the second day's fighting at Gettysburg on July 2, Chamberlain's regiment occupied the extreme left of the Union lines at Little Round Top. Chamberlain's men withstood repeated assaults from the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment and finally drove the Confederates away with a downhill bayonet charge. Chamberlain was severely wounded while commanding a brigade during the Second Battle of Petersburg in June 1864, and was given what was intended to be a deathbed promotion to brigadier general. In April 1865, he fought at the Battle of Five Forks and was given the honor of commanding the Union troops at the surrender ceremony for the infantry of Robert E. Lee's Army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

After the war, he entered politics as a Republican and served four one-year terms of office as the 32nd Governor of Maine from 1867 to 1871. After leaving office, he returned to his alma mater, Bowdoin College, serving as its president until 1883. He died in 1914 at age 85 due to complications from the wound that he received at Petersburg.