General Joshua Chamberlain Tells His Story Fighting in the Civil War and Saluting the Confederates

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My name is Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, and I was a college professor turned soldier during the Civil War. I led men into battle, stood my ground when all seemed lost, and fought to preserve the Union. My story is about courage, leadership, and never giving up—no matter the odds. Let me tell you how it happened.

I was born on September 8, 1828, in Maine, and I grew up loving to read and learn. I attended Bowdoin College, where I studied languages, philosophy, and theology. Eventually, I became a professor, teaching young minds about literature and history. But when the Civil War broke out in 1861, I knew I couldn’t just stand by—I had to fight for my country.

I joined the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, even though I had no formal military training. I studied everything I could about warfare and learned fast. My regiment saw action in several battles, but the moment that defined my life came on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg.

We were positioned on Little Round Top, a rocky hill on the far left of the Union line. If we lost that hill, the Confederates could flank our entire army, and Gettysburg—and maybe the whole war—could be lost. My men fought hard, but we were running out of ammunition. I knew we couldn’t retreat, so I made a bold decision: we would charge.

I ordered my men to fix bayonets and sweep down the hill in a counterattack. We charged right into the enemy, catching them off guard and driving them back. That charge saved Little Round Top, the Union line, and possibly the entire battle. For my actions that day, I was later awarded the Medal of Honor.

I fought in many more battles, was wounded six times, and even had my horse shot out from under me. At the end of the war, I was chosen to oversee the official surrender of the Confederate Army at Appomattox Court House in 1865. As the defeated Southern soldiers marched past, I ordered my men to salute them—a sign of respect for former enemies and a step toward healing a divided nation.

After the war, I returned to Maine, where I served as governor and later as the president of Bowdoin College. I spent my later years writing about the war and reminding people of the sacrifices that were made. I passed away on February 24, 1914, as one of the last surviving generals of the Civil War.

Looking back, I wasn’t the strongest, the toughest, or the most experienced soldier. But I believed in something bigger than myself—the Union, freedom, and duty. If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: when faced with impossible odds, stand your ground, trust in your abilities, and never give up. Thank you for listening.

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