General Chamberlain's Compromise

[Gettysburg Greg]

In this iconic photograph, veterans of the 20th Maine including General Chamberlain seated at right center, pose on Vincent's Spur with their monument sitting on a large boulder on the left. Next to Chamberlain are the furled colors that flew here on July 2nd, 1863. In his speech given that day, Chamberlain clarified the location of the monument was where the colors flew after it became the apex for his line after being refused to the left. In other words, that is where his line bent back to the left from this point. The rock wall seen in the photo and fronting their position today was a source of frustration for the General. He insisted the rock walls were not there during the time the 20th fought here and demanded they be removed. He later compromised his position by agreeing to leave the wall as long as there was a sign present that clearly states they were not there during the fighting on July 2nd, 1863. Shown below is my then and now using the reunion photograph and a photo of Chamberlain's sign that can be seen today on Sykes Avenue at the 20th Maine's position.

 

[Seduzal]

Wow! An awesome photo. Thanks for sharin.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

So to clarify, please? The paved walk at the back of the modern photo would follow the left wing of the 20th as it was refused up the hill?

Also- is it safe to assume the very large rocks incorporated into the rock wall were part of the landscape on July 2 and not added later?

Thanks to everyone who helps explore/explain these treasures!

 

[infomanpa]

So to clarify, please? The paved walk at the back of the modern photo would follow the left wing of the 20th as it was refused up the hill?

Also- is it safe to assume the very large rocks incorporated into the rock wall were part of the landscape on July 2 and not added later?

Thanks to everyone who helps explore/explain these treasures!

I would say that the paved walk cuts through the center of the 20th Maine line. The left wing would be off the right edge of the picture.
And yes, the large boulders are mainly where they were in 1863.

 

[SgtDarby8OVI]

What Chamberlain did not compromise on was the claim by 15th Alabama commander William C. Oates that his troops reached a point about 20 yards behind the camera position in that photograph. Oates was looking to build a monument to the regiment and his younger brother, who was killed near a specific rock on the crest of the spur. If Oates was correct, the 20th Maine was bent back like a hairpin, rather than at right angles as Chamberlain claimed when placing the 20th Maine monument. In 1904, Chamberlain was instrumental in having Oates' request rejected by denying that any Confederates were where Oates claimed they were. This contributed to the 20th Maine narrative we all know and love today without any pesky counter-narrative by the other side. The rock in question is still unmarked, but one will occasionally find little Confederate flags planted there before and after the battle's anniversary.

* See Glenn W. LaFantasie, A Gettysburg Requiem: The Life and Lost Causes of Confederate Colonel William B. Oates (Oxford Univ. Press, 2006, pp. 162-65, 280-285, 288-301)