| A successful student, Joshua
received second prize ($5) for English composition at the end of his senior year. Joshua
graduated in 1852. He entered the Bangor Theological Seminary that year and was graduated
in 1855. Professor at Bowdoin
While studying at the seminary, he presented an oration at Bowdoin. The faculty and
administration were impressed and invited Chamberlain for the academic year, 1855-56, to
become an instructor in logic and natural theology. Stowe had taught these same subjects
in 1852. Joshua accepted the position and celebrated by marrying Fanny Adams on December
7, 1855. His wife was also a member of the Congregational Church.
Growing Uneasy
By 1862, several students from Bowdoin were serving with the Union forces. For
Chamberlain, the conviction mounted that he must commit himself to this struggle in which
he saw the very citadel of civilization threatened, a respect for the laws of man and God.
Friends were bothered at the possibility of his leaving. Besides, if he were going to be
an officer, he had no qualifying experience, no military training except for what he
received at the academy years before. In its concern, the college gave him a two-year
leave of absence in August 1862 to travel and study in Europe. He at first accepted, but
then gave in to his conscience. He went to Augusta to see Governor Israel Washburn.
Chamberlain was offered the rank of lieutenant-colonel, a subordinate position but one in
which he could master the art of command in war.
Military Career
Chamberlain was assigned to the 20th Maine Infantry, mustered into Federal service on
August 29, 1862. Its first action was at Antietam, September 17. Until the end of the war, April 9, 1865, Chamberlain took part
in 24 battles and was wounded six times. His climb to fame as a military leader took place
at Gettysburg, July 1-4, 1863. Chosen to hold the ground of the extreme left of the Union
Army on Little Round Top, Chamberlain led his troops in a deadly counterattack which
allowed enough time for additional troops from other units to arrive. For this action,
Chamberlain was award the Congressional Medal of Honor.
On June 18, 1864, Chamberlain was severely wounded at Petersburg. Believed to be near
death, he was promoted to brigadier general. Following a recovery lasting until November,
Chamberlain returned to active duty on the 19th, only to be wounded again on March 29,
1865, at the Battle of Five Forks. Chamberlain was chosen from all of the officers in the
army to receive the formal surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox Court House, April
9, 1965. This honor moved him greatly, perhaps more than anything else in his whirlwind
military career of three years.
Chamberlain was assigned to the 20th Maine Infantry, mustered into Federal service on
August 29, 1862. Its first action was at Antietam, September 17. Until the end of the war, April 9, 1865, Chamberlain took part
in 24 battles and was wounded six times. His climb to fame as a military leader took place
at Gettysburg, July 1-4, 1863. Chosen to hold the ground of the extreme left of the Union
Army on Little Round Top, Chamberlain led his troops in a deadly counterattack which
allowed enough time for additional troops from other units to arrive. For this action,
Chamberlain was award the Congressional Medal of Honor.
On June 18, 1864, Chamberlain was severely wounded at Petersburg. Believed to be near
death, he was promoted to brigadier general. Following a recovery lasting until November,
Chamberlain returned to active duty on the 19th, only to be wounded again on March 29,
1865, at the Battle of Five Forks. Chamberlain was chosen from all of the officers in the
army to receive the formal surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox Court House, April
9, 1965. This honor moved him greatly, perhaps more than anything else in his whirlwind
military career of three years.
Return to Bowdoin
Due to his physical condition, a permanent army career was impossible. Chamberlain
returned to his teaching post during the 1865-66 academic year. Becoming restless he was
soon drawn to the political stage. In November of that year, he was elected governor and
served until 1871.
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