Civil War Journal: General Joshua Chamberlain

PLOT SUMMARY: Joshua Chamberlain grew up as Puritan. He was raised with the "Do it!... that's how" attitude. He was a smart young man who even taught himself Greek so he could get into the Bowden College, the college he wanted for ministry studies. While studying in college he got to know his professor's wife, named Harriet Beecher Stowe. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, an anti-slavery book. She would have readings from the book and Chamberlain would come to the readings. This book had a big impact on Chamberlain becoming an advocate against slavery. He wanted to join in the fight against slavery. The College did not want him to go to war and have the chance of dying so they told him to go to Europe to study. Chamberlain was strong in his beliefs and he decided to go to war instead. During wartime, Chamberlain asks other soldiers questions about their journeys. He is interested in studying the military. When Chamberlain finally goes to war, he realizes what war is all about. It is about killing people. He does not like the thought of death but he gets used to it. He becomes a Colonel and he found excitement in this role. During a battle, Chamberlain was shot and some of his soldiers died. He lost the battle because they were outnumbered. He went to a doctor and the doctor told him there was nothing he could do for his bad wounds. Then Chamberlain went to another doctor who saved him, but the wound would never fully heal. He was in excruciating pain when he walked for several years. He also was very sad at the thought of having lost his men during battle. This was very emotional for Chamberlain and he always felt responsible for his soldiers. It is said that "he had the soul of a loin and the heart of a woman". Grant chose Chamberlain to attend the surrender at Appomattox. He was the type of man who did not see his enemies as evil, but simply men who were led incorrectly. Chamberlain had been involved in 24 battles in a four year period. In his later years he was the Governor of Maine for four terms. He was the President of Bowden College and had many writings. He once said, "Veterans are heros." He died at 85 years old.

CHARACTER: Joshua Chamberlain was a very loyal man who was a true gentleman and American. He loved his country and cared about people. He was a smart man who not only went into war but also learned about the impact of war. He felt compassion for soldiers and veterans and cared deeply for this cause. He even looked at his enemies as human beings, not as evil creatures. The person who impacted Chamberlain the most seems to to have been Harriet Beecher Stowe. She changed his life.

YOUR THOUGHTS: I think Chamberlain was an honorable man who was intelligent. I don't think many soldiers have studied war like Chamberlain did. He was an academic and a military man who gained the respect of others who knew him. His compassion for others was unlike other men of his time. I wish I got to meet Chamberlain because he seemed like a very nice and interesting man.