Civil War History - Gettysburg ForumGettysburg! It's not just a National Park. It's a Civil War Battlefield. For some it's historic and storied past are almost an obsession! All related discussions are welcome here!
nb forrest,
On what basis do you refer to Chamberlain as "braggart, relentless self-promoter and liar?"
Such a strongly stated opinion, so at odds with the general opinion of Gen. Chamberlain's character and accomplishments, must have a great deal of information behind it.
I've read a number of accounts by and about Chamberlain. I have never seen him characterized in that manner. In fact, if you read the last chapter of his book Passing of the Armies, I think you find just the opposite. His characterization of the surrender chokes me up every time I read it. He truly wants to welcome the southerner back into the folds of the USA. I believe that he risked cenure in the way he treated the Confederates as they marched up to lay down their arms.
If there was one puzzling thing about the whole 2nd Day at Gettysburg, I have one question. I've been there to little round top several times. There is a monument on the far left flank to the 20th Maine; however, if you read the signage along the ridge there at little round top, the 20th Maine is not even mentioned. the 140th New York, if memory serves is given the credit for the fighting that day. So what is the real deal, did Chamberlain have enemies that seeked to minimize the 20th Maine's performance. Or, was the 20th Maine's role exaggerated? Or was it an annoyed Park Service employee that got tired of hearing how great Chamberlain was. The last time I was there was about 5 years ago so, I don't know if those signs are still up, but if anybody goes there, check it out and see who is mentioned more promiently, the Maine folk or the New York folk.
Bill
__________________ I've seen these sweat soaked heroes fight, in superheated air,to keep their ship alive and right, though no one knows they're there. And thus they'll fight for ages on, till warships sail no more,amid the boilers mighty heat and turbines hellish roar. So when you see a ship pull out, to meet a warlike foe, remember faintly if you can "the men who sail below"
~ excerpted from "The Men Who sail below", Author unknown.
I don't know the particulars, but isn't a lot of the monuments the result of the efforts of particular groups of vets, and not necessarily reflecting history?
As far as the role of the 20th Maine at Gettysburg, I have no doubt it is exaggerated, not because of any kind of a scheme, but because its such an exciting story:
Our outfit of tough Mainers, cobbled together from deserters, led by the fighting professor, wins against great odds with a bayonet charge. It's too **** good a story not to include. The numbers, the ground and the manuevers can be understood.
The 20th did great service, and was commanded very ably that day. Whether it had a more vital role then some other regiments on July 2nd can be debated. But I think it would be a fruitless debate in many ways. The 20th did what had to be done, very bravely and skillfully too, as other units did through out the Union position. It shouldn't detract from the achievements elsewhere, or keep us from understanding what happened on July 2, 1863.
It's not that the 20th Maine isn't deserving, it is. However, it's not that any other unit is less deserving of the fame of having saved the day. Take for instance the gallant charge by the 1st Minnesota against an entire brigade. Their sacrifice bought the time for Hancock to rebuild a shattered line. Let's not forget that Weed got his brigade, including the 20th, up to Little Round Top just in time. When Weed's men (16th Mich) broke, it was Strong Vincent's brigade that also arrived just in time to restore the line on Little Round top. Neither Weed nor Vincent lived to immortalize themselves like Chamberlain did.
There are thousands of stories of gallantry which are lost to history, not just at Gettysburg but at every battle of every war ever fought.
If I'm not mistaken, the lionization of JLC started with Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels," followed along in Ken Burns' series "The Civil War," and swelled to pop culture proportions with the movie "Gettysburg." A less charming actor than Jeff Bridges in that role might have cooled the public's ardor for the fictionalized Chamberlain somewhat. But it was not to be, and even now the number of 20th Maine companies in the reenacting world outstrips the original by hundreds.
Why is Little Round Top better known than Culp's Hill? Why is the Eastern Theater better known than the Western Theater? The reasons are various, and maybe its a little unfair. But that doesn't mean that the soldiers on Little Round Top somehow fought less than the men on Culp's Hill, or that the men of Pickett's Charge are less deserving that the Army of Tennessee at Franklin.
Chamberlain is an admirable character, and the fact that there are other admirable characters doesn't make him less so, although it would seem so from some others on this thread.
On the source of Chamberlain's fame, I don't know about you people from away, but Mainers learn that Chamberlain and the 20th Maine won the Civil War, usually in the 8th grade.
There are a great many battles or parts of battles that just seem to catch the public where it cares. Shiraa must certainly have known how to make that little quink that used the romanticism of that little action. We need our heroes, and the story of the 20th Maine gives us one. The 54th Massachusetts gives us another.
Is there a coincidence in that, without a movie, few would know about them?
If they make a movie about Shiloh, will Prentiss be the hero du jour?
Ole,
I think that for an action or character to resonate with the public and really sink in, it can't be entirely random. "Saving Pvt. Ryan" takes place in the most famous action of WWII. The Normandy landings would be significant without Steven Spielburg. Sharra chose Gettysburg, the most famous battle of the CW, but famous because of "what they did here" Some historic events seem more decisive, or dramatic then others. Sharra, or the makers of Glory often perceive, or capture, an inner truth or meaning to historical events.
It may be a bit late to chip in on this but it seems to me, and this is strictly from memory, that Oates had a brother to die in the battle and the monument he wanted raised was to commemorate him. I may be mingling memories in this though, I would have to dig a little to be sure.
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