I entered the Army lacking an appreciation for its history, but that all changed as I discovered how officers were encouraged, in some instances required, to study military history. At the Combined Arms & Services Staff School at Fort Leavenworth I was assigned to read The Killer Angels by Michael Sharra. This Pulitzer-winning novelization of the battle of Gettysburg introduced me to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin of the 20th Maine. In all my military reading since I've not encountered a more admirable soldier. The movies Gettysburg, Gods & Generals, along with Jeff Sharra's continuation of his father's books, increased my respect. I've read the book and look forward to the movie version of The Last Full Measure, completing the trilogy.To my delight, I recently was made aware of a 1992 biography of Chamberlin by Alice Rains Trulock, In The Hands of Providence. This is the definitive work, carefully researched and thoroughly devoted to showing the integrity, courage, and faith of a seminary-trained college professor who became an extraordinary military leader. Biographies can be tedious; this work is an engaging "page-turner". The New York Times gave it high praise, saying it "deserves a place on every Civil War bookshelf."
I was interested to learn that Chamberlin's father had wanted him to attend West Point and be a career soldier, while his mother hoped he would become a Congregational minister. I wonder had he ever considered the Chaplaincy, which might have satisfied both. Chamberlin prepared for the ministry, overcoming a speech defect, considered serving as a missionary, but found himself more suited for the academic world and settled in as Professor of rhetoric and foreign languages at Bowdoin College in Maine. But a peaceful life was not to be. A devoted Christian, Chamberlin felt led by the divine hand of Providence to participate in the Civil War. Against the wishes of his faculty and family, he sought appointment from the Governor and was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel with the 20th Maine.
Chamberlin's Christian convictions filled him with respect for the dignity and worth of all people, which led him to regard slavery as an immoral institution. In college he sat listening to Harriett Beecher Stowe read from the novel she was writing, Uncle Tom's Cabin. Chamberlin saw slavery as the cornerstone of the Confederacy, which (along with absolute state sovereignty) needed to be overturned. "Slavery and freedom cannot live together," Chamberlin insisted. He called slavery "the worst cause for which a people ever fought."
Chamberlin applied his academic work ethic to learning the art of warfare from Colonel Ames, a Regular Army officer and his Brigade Commander. He mastered the complex intricacies of drill and tactics and led his men with courage and compassion. "Discipline is the soul of armies", he wrote.
The pivotal point in his career, and for which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor, came in leading a heroic charge down Little Round Top at Gettysburg. His troops' ammunition was exhausted, and his line could not withstand another enemy assault. So in an audacious act of creativity and bravery Chamberlin ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge downhill the Confederate line. The terrified rebel troops who did not flee, surrendered. The desperate gambit was successful and turned the tide of the battle, some say the war.
Following the success of Little Round Top, Chamberlin, though exhausted, then participated in the nearly suicidal capture of Round Top. Severely wounded at the battle of Petersburg, and after several prior recommendations for promotion, General Grant awarded his first battlefield promotion, making Chamberlin a Brigadier General. After the Battle of Five Forks, Chamberlin was promoted to Major General and made a Division Commander. At the dramatic close of the war, Chamberlin was one of the first to receive a Confederate staff officer bearing a white flag of surrender. Soon thereafter, he was granted the honor of commanding the army to accept the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, impressing a reunited and reborn nation by showing graciousness in victory and honor to a defeated foe. Trulock writes how a Confederate officer admitted afterwards that he was "astonished with your generosity; we should have not done the same to you." Throughout the war Chamberlin's view was that victory meant leading the prodigal states back home.
Following the Grand Review in the nation's Capitol, Chamberlin returned home where he was elected Governor of Main by the largest majority in the state's history, and served four terms. He reorganized the state militia, upgraded veterans benefits, promoted industry and agriculture, and improved education.
Leaving public office, Chamberlin was unanimously elected to the Presidency of Bowdoin college where he made progressive changes to the curriculum. After serving Bowdoin, he was appointed by President Hayes as the US Commissioner of Education. He traveled to Paris where he was decorated by the French government. He served as Commander of the Maine militia. He lectured and authored 2 books about the war.
Throughout his life, Chamberlin was filled with an awareness of the providential care of God. This conviction took away his fear. It was not a belief in impersonal fatalism but trust in a sovereign Lord Who brings about His plan. Life is not accidental; our times are securely in His hands. He wrote, "There is no promise of life in peace and no decree of death in war. And I am so confident of the sincerity of my motives that I can trust my own life and the welfare of my family in the hands of Providence...I believe that God is over all things and that He will put me where He wants me and where I ought to be."
Alice Trulock has given us a treasure that every student of military history and leadership should cherish. As a New England Congregational minister, I am proud to know that Chamberlin-theologian, statesman, soldier-is part of my Pilgrim heritage.
The question arises from time to time, "Can a Christian serve in the military...and how does one serve in a Christian manner?" Chamberlin believed his cause was just. He also regarded war as "a test of character; it makes bad men worse and good men better." Chamberlin's remarkable life shows how God ordains individuals to military service and that bravery and concern for one's comrades in arms originates from an abiding faith in a personal, sovereign God.
This is an excellent biography of a true American hero. Chamberlain was a professor in Maine when the American Civil War broke out. He joined the Union and was given control of the 20th Maine regiment. Throughout the war he was given much praise and recognition.This book gives an excellent account of Chamberlain's personal life. There is so much more to respect in Chamberlain than what was shown in Gettysburg (the movie) If you liked the movie.. it's a must that you read this book!
I really liked the fact that so many different approaches were taken, by the author, in giving us a clear picture of Chamberlain's life. She writes from a military history perspective and a more personal approach. You come away from this book having an excellent understanding of everything this man was and all that he was involved with.
I was extremely touched by the various letters written to his wife.. especially when he lay on his potential death bed in 1864. His extreme will to live, recover, and to fight on will inspire you.
If your looking for an inspiring book or a hero.. this is the book. If you enjoy history.. this is your book. You will fly through it and enjoy every minute of it. Even if your just looking for a good read... this is it. Add this to your collection! Don't mind the cost because it is well worth it.
