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Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (8 September 1828 – 24 February 1914) was a college professor who joined the Union Army without the benefit of any formal military education, and became a highly respected and decorated Union officer during the American Civil War, reaching the rank of major general. For his gallantry at Gettysburg, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was given the honor of commanding the Union troops at the surrender ceremony for the infantry of Robert E. Lee's Army at Appomattox, Virginia. After the war he served as a Republican Governor of Maine for four terms and served on the faculty and as president of his alma mater, Bowdoin College.
Early life
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was born in Brewer, Maine. In time, he developed strong abolitionist views. Chamberlain entered Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, in 1848 and graduated in 1852. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He married Fanny Adams, daughter of a clergyman, in 1855, and they had five children, one of whom was born far too prematurely to survive, and two of whom died in infancy. Chamberlain studied for three additional years at Bangor Theological Seminary in Bangor, Maine, returned to Bowdoin and began a career in education as a professor of rhetoric. He eventually went on to teach every subject in the curriculum but mathematics. He was fluent in nine languages other than English: Greek, Latin, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, and Syriac.
Civil War service
Chamberlain's great-grandfathers were soldiers in the American Revolutionary War and his grandfather had served during the War of 1812. His father also had served during the abortive Aroostook War of 1839. Chamberlain himself was not trained in military science, but felt a strong desire to serve his country. More on [ Joshua Chamberlain ]
History :: Society and Culture
Gettysburg :: Battles
@chickenfeet2003 Just heard Steve Earle singing about one of General Joshua L. Chamberlain's Irish soldiers - the song is called Dixieland.
Michael_Mooney (Michael Mooney) Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:40:11 -0000
@chickenfeet2003 Just heard Steve Earle singing about one of General Joshua L. Chamberlain's Irish soldiers - the song is called Dixieland.
Bowdoin College - Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Resources - Information on collections of records of the four term governor of Maine.
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Chamberlain Biography - A biography of J.L. Chamberlain's whole life, describing in detail his Civil War achievements.
Chamberlain Freedom Park - Curtis' Library's information about the park dedicated to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.
Chamberlain Lovers - Dedicated to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Civil War soldier and Congressional Medal of Honor winner. Includes a short biography and a bibliography page of books, videos, and music.
Joshua Chamberlain Home Page - Ken Rickert's personal home page with photo and number links to the famous Maine individual, Joshua Chamberlain.
Meta Description: [ Civil War hero, Joshua Chamberlain, biography and profile of Civil War adventure and Medal of Honor award. Civil War items for sale including Civil War uniforms, Shelby Foote books, Civil War buttons, Civil War books, Civil War swords, and Civil War Collectibles. ]
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Joshua Chamberlain House Restoration - Curtis' Library description of the detailed restoration of the Chamberlain House. Exquisite details, (i.e, ceiling painted trompe l'oeil borders, which give the illusion of plaster moldings, restored by Tony Castro of Farmington, Maine.
Joshua L. Chamberlain Area - Maine's number one Civil War Hero.
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Biography - A rather brief summary of this man's career.
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Official Homepage of Joshua L.Chamberlain - This professor of rhetoric became one of the most famous officers of the Civil War, especially because of the 20th Maine's defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg.
To the Limits of the Soul's Ideal - A detailed biography of Major General Joshua L. Chamberlain--includes personal photos, related book reviews and special pages.
Tom Chamberlain - Information on Joshua Chamberlain's brave young brother
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