Article

2007-07-02 -Short Attention Span Theater-

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Mike 2007-07-02 06:55|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 Chamberlain was a first-class stud. From his Wikipedia entry:
In all, Chamberlain served in twenty battles and numerous skirmishes, he was cited for bravery four times, had six horses shot under him, and was wounded six times.
Chamberlain died of his lingering wartime wounds in 1914 at Portland, Maine, age 85.
He was the last Civil War veteran to die as a result of wounds from the war. A full study of his medical history strongly suggests that it was complications from the wound suffered at Petersburg that resulted in his death.

Posted by Spot">Spot 2007-07-02 09:01|| 2007-07-02 09:01|| Front Page Top

#2 And he was a professor and university president, too.
G*d, they just don't make academics like they used to!

Posted by Sgt. Mom 2007-07-02 10:03|| www.celiahayes.com]">[www.celiahayes.com] 2007-07-02 10:03|| Front Page Top

#3 Here's an article written by a former Army officer and West Point instructor, about using the leadership skills of Chamberlain with today's officers. Gettysburg colonel serves as example today It's a good read.

H/T to The Tank at National Review

Posted by Sherry 2007-07-02 10:27|| 2007-07-02 10:27|| Front Page Top

#4 ...If you EVER get the chance, go to the battlefield and stand in Chamberlain's footsteps - they're clearly marked. To his left is a 40-foot drop, to his right was the rest of the Union line - he was literally the end of the line, the Last Man. Had he failed, Gettysburg would have ended in a Confederate victory, Washington would have been wide open, and our history would have been very, very different.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2007-07-02 11:10|| 2007-07-02 11:10|| Front Page Top

#5 Several years ago I took my family to Gettysburg battlefield; we were up on one of the observation platforms picturing the events when a War College class convened on the ground below for their lesson and discussion. I didn't want to leave - but the family grew antsy. Fortunately for me, during the 10-15 minutes we stood 'in the back of the class' the instructor's lecture was consistent with (and added to) what I had been 'teaching.'

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-07-02 11:51|| 2007-07-02 11:51|| Front Page Top

#6 Actually there was a Wisconsin Regt in a refused flank position about 500 meters down the back of the hill from Chamberlain that was the extreme left flank. That little paved road that goes up the back of Lil' Roundtop can you get there - good little walk. 20th Maine was actually on a hinge.

Posted by Broadhead6 2007-07-02 16:19|| 2007-07-02 16:19|| Front Page Top

#7 Brings a tear to the eye, everytime -

Little Roundtop.

Posted by Procopius2k 2007-07-02 18:13|| 2007-07-02 18:13|| Front Page Top

#8 Thanks, Procopius. I really have to buy that movie.

I know that it's partly because of the music, but that scene give me chills every time I see it - and I'm a Southerner.

What an admirable man Chamberlain was!

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2007-07-02 19:49|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2007-07-02 19:49|| Front Page Top

#9 AS, the best part of that movie for me was when Ted Turner's character gets killed, but that will do.

Actually, there are a lot of disputes about whether the 'wheel' manuver actually happened, or whether it was simply a general charge. Chamberlain was somewhat self-aggrandizing at times. His bravery is without question, though, and he richly deserved the honor of accepting the surrender at Appamattox.

We also didn't see the detached company of sharpshooters who enfiladed the Alabamans during the charge.

Posted by Eric Jablow">Eric Jablow 2007-07-02 19:51|| 2007-07-02 19:51|| Front Page Top

#10 #9 Eric: "the best part of that movie for me was when Ted Turner's character gets killed"

Well, yeah - but that gave me a good laugh, not chills. ;-p

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2007-07-02 19:59|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2007-07-02 19:59|| Front Page Top

#11 Eric, according to my tour guide - a retired Marine LtCol by the name of Heinz, (this was back in spring 2005 & he'd been giving tours for about 20 yrs) he said that Chamberlain never ordered a charge. Also said that "the killer angels" (book Gettysburg is derived from) has about 200 historical errors. I guess a good portion of the 20th Maine men were trying to get better firing positions and others were collecting rifles off the dead Rebs and other Yanks that had died. Due to the soles of their leather shoes on the big flat rocks & the steep incline of the hill, some started slipping and ended up running down the hill. The rest of the company being confused followed - some thought a charge had been called - so down they went en masse. My guide claimed this because many were out of ammo and many memoir never mention a call to fix bayonets. I've never cross checked so don't know for sure. AFAIK - It's disputed if an actual reb counter charge was coming up Round Top at the same time.

Posted by Broadhead6 2007-07-02 20:41|| 2007-07-02 20:41|| Front Page Top

23:44 CrazyFool
23:42 Mac
23:40 Abdominal Snowman
23:26 Super Hose
23:21 lotp
23:09 Super Hose
23:07 logi_cal
23:05 Frank G
22:58 Skidmark
22:54 3dc
22:52 Super Hose
22:52 Mike N.
22:42 Super Hose
22:40 Mike N.
22:40 Frank G
22:29 Super Hose
22:27 Pappy
22:26 Frank G
22:26 Nimble Spemble
22:25 Super Hose
22:20 Frank G
22:20 Pappy
22:20 sinse
22:18 Nimble Spemble