American Historical Ephemera and Photography

CDV on cardstock mount, possibly remounted (significant toning, some blotches of discoloration). Uncredited.

At the forefront of a pantheon of Gettysburg notables forever enshrined in the American psyche, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was awarded the Medal of Honor for his “heroism and great tenacity in holding his position on Little Round Top” on 2 July 1863 at Gettysburg.

Afterwards, the pensive professor turned soldier earned accolades in several bloody engagements in which “his coolness of judgment and quickness of action drew special commendation." Grievously wounded while leading a charge at Petersburg on 18 June 1864 and reported dead, Grant awarded him a battlefield commission to Brigadier General “for gallant conduct in leading his brigade against a superior force of the enemy and for meritorious service.”

After delicate surgery, followed by months of hospitalization, Chamberlain, still not completely fit for duty, returned to command at the end of the war only to be wounded again. On 29 March 1865, given two brigades he “led the advance of the infantry with Sheridan, and made the brilliant opening fight on the Quaker Road where he was hit in the left arm and breast, and his horse shot under him.” Consequently, he was promoted to brevet Major General “for conspicuous gallantry.” Several days later on 1 April at the battle of Five Forks, he received “special mention for recovering a lost field.” His troops led the final advance at Appomattox and it was to Chamberlain that Longstreet’s first flag of truce arrived on 9 April. General Chamberlain was given the honor of commanding “the parade before which Lee’s once vaunted Army of Northern Virginia laid down its arms and colors,” and surrendered. As a final tribute, it was Chamberlain’s Division that was “placed at the head of the column of the Army of the Potomac” during the Grand Review. General Chamberlain left the army in January 1866 and returned to the soliloquy of civilian life, immortalized as a true American hero.

Following the conclusion of the Civil War, Chamberlain entered politics and served four one-year terms of office as the 32nd Governor of Maine. He also served on the faculty, and as president, of his alma mater, Bowdoin College.