An Unknown American Hero
Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember all the veteran’s who made the ultimate sacrifice for our republic. We also remember those veterans who have passed away from this life. While there are so many heroes who served and died for America, today I want to remember one who’s impact was crucial to history of this country.
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in July of 1863, the battle lasted for three days and was the first time the Confederacy made its way into northern territory, a little town in the middle of Pennsylvania, the town of Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg started by accident. Literally, troops bumped into each other. General Lee heard that Meade was pursuing him, and Lee concentrated his army. The Union vanguard is already here as well, and they’re going to bang into each other north and west of town on McPherson’s Ridge.
The first day of the battle ended in a draw but the Confederate forces were able to push the Union back through the town where they entrenched themselves on the high ground just to the south of Gettysburg.
This leads me to the hero not many people know, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. Chamberlain was an American college professor from Maine. He volunteered to join the Union army during the war. His actions during the Battle of Gettysburg saved the Union but more importantly, our Republic. Chamberlain was given command of the 20th Maine regiment of the Union army.
As the Union prepared for the second day of Gettysburg, a major problem became clear. Union Chief engineer Gouverneur K. Warren was sent to assess the situation on Little Round Top. He was shocked when he found that hardly anyone was stationed on this position and “Immediately requested additional troops for what has often been referred to as the key to the Union position.” Colonel Strong Vincent answered his call and brought his four regiments to the area. Chamberlain’s 20th Maine was among them and would be ordered to defend the extreme left of the Union line. Vincent instructed Chamberlain, “Hold that ground at all hazards.”
Chamberlain’s small regiment was responsible for defending one of the most important positions during the second day of the battle, the far left flank of the Union lines.
The 20th Maine faced off against 650 men from the 15th and 47th Alabama Regiments. After repelling wave after Confederate wave, Chamberlain found himself in a difficult position. His regiment had suffered heavy casualties, the men under his command were almost out of ammunition, and Confederate troops were preparing for another attack. With few options left, Chamberlain decided that he must launch a counterattack to prevent his position from falling. He boldly ordered his men to fix their bayonets and charge. The Confederate troops were stunned as the 20th Maine came crashing towards them. Many of them dropped their guns and surrendered. The rest retreated toward a stone wall in the rear. Colonel Chamberlain and the 20th Maine had repulsed the Confederate attack on the South slope of Little Round Top.
If the Confederates had been able to break through at the Little Round Top, the Union army would have most likely been defeated. This would have given the Confederate army a road to attack Washington DC and change the course of the war. Because of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and many others, the Union lines did not break. The following day, Union forces managed to turn the tide of the Civil War and forced General Robert E. Lee to retreat towards Virginia.
In 1893, Chamberlain was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the Battle of Gettysburg, a true American hero! A hero to remember on this Memorial Day.