4/26/00 1:30 p.m.
Within the Battle of Gettysburg
A scene of the heroism and high character of the American soldier.

Taken from James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom

he Battle of Gettysburg, which took place in the first days of July 1863, is generally considered a turning point in the Civil War — and also a crucial event in the history of the Republic. Within this brutal battle occurred many events that underscore the heroism and high character of the American fighting man. Here is one such story:

Posted at the far left of this brigade was the 20th Maine, commanded by Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain. A year earlier Chamberlain had been a professor of rhetoric and modern languages at Bowdoin College. Taking a leave of absence ostensibly to study in Europe, he joined the army instead and now found himself responsible for preventing the rebels from rolling up the Union left. The fighting professor and his downeasterners proved equal to the occasion. For nearly two hours they stood off repeated assaults by portions of several Confederate regiments along the rocky, wooded slope filled with smoke, noise, and terror. But their valor seemed in vain. With more than a third of his men down and the remainder out of ammunition — and with the Johnnies forming for another assault — Chamberlain was in a tight spot. But cool and quick-witted — perhaps a legacy of dealing with fractious students — he ordered his men to fix bayonets on their empty rifles and charge. With a yell, these smoke-grimed Yanks lurched downhill against the surprised rebels. Exhausted by their uphill fighting following a twenty-five mile march that day to reach the battlefield, and shocked by the audacity of this bayonet assault, the Alabamians surrendered by scores to the jubilant boys from Maine. Little Round Top remained in northern hands. Although Sickles's corps was driven back yard by yard through the peach orchard, the wheat field, and Devil's Den, the Union left on Little Round Top was secure.