NF Gettysburg Question.

[Cdoug96]

In the Gettysburg movie, Col. Chamberlain and his brother Lt. Thomas Chamberlain of the 20th Maine are caught up in Pickett's Charge. I had read somewhere that in reality they were there too, to request more ammo, but I can't find it anywhere. Were the two of them actually at Pickett's Charge?

 

[Tom Elmore]

No, but their brigade had moved closer toward the Union center, having been relieved on Little Round Top (the far left) around 7 a.m. on July 3. Ammunition should not have been a problem. Each regiment usually had one dedicated wagon to supply/resupply its ammunition needs, and it was kept fairly close to the front, perhaps in a group by brigade or division. A regiment would normally be resupplied after nightfall, when the fighting had died out, if it had been heavily engaged during the day. That was the responsibility of the ordnance officer and his subordinate ordnance sergeant.

 

[mofederal]

I think it was done mostly in the movie to tie the story together and no other reason. I think it was just one of those Hollywood things for done dramatic effect.

 

[rebel brit]

Great question. According to the book 'Brigades of Gettysburg' by Bradley M. Gottfried

< The 20th Maine and 83rd Pennsylvania on Big Round Top did not leave their positions until about noon. When the brigade was reunited to the east of Cemetery Ridge, the line was arranged, from left to right, as 16th Michigan-44th New York-83rd Pennsylvania-20th Maine. Within a short time,the men found themselves in the teeth of the Confederate cannonade that proceeded the Picket-Pettigrew -Trimble charge. Judson (83rd Pennsylvania) recorded that "hundreds of the enemy's shells which failed to explode, flew shrieking through the skies... those striking nearer would plow a huge furrow in the ground, then ricochetting and leaping upward to the height of a hundred feet, could be seen whirling away." Losses were exceptionally small because the brigade took refuge behind the abundant stone walls. Some of the men strengthened the walls with added materials.
The brigade remained there until about noon on July 4, when it was thrown forward on a reconnaissance to ascertain the enemy's position. Not finding any, the brigade returned to Little Round Top, where it helped bury the dead.>

 

[Mark Roth]

So you're saying Tom Chamberlain didn't find Armistead in the aftermath of Pickett's Charge?

 

[Larryh86GT]

Great question. I have wondered how much was fiction in the book/movie.

 

[civilken]

as was said I guess this was the way the director felt he could bring the whole thing together at the end. Rather than going from spot to spot here they are at the end one big happy family.

 

[infomanpa]

Were the two of them actually at Pickett's Charge?

So you're saying Tom Chamberlain didn't find Armistead in the aftermath of Pickett's Charge?

Great question. I have wondered how much was fiction in the book/movie.

It's worth noting that the book on which the Gettysburg movie is based, Killer Angels was more historically accurate, in that the Chamberlains were neither at the Angle nor did Tom assist Armistead.

 

[MaryDee]

The movie (not the book) also had Chamberlain reporting to General Hancock, commander of the 2nd Corps, on July 3, although JLC was in the 5th Corps, commanded by Gen. Sykes.

Also, a third Chamberlain brother, John, left out of both book and movie, was at LRT on the 2nd with the 20th Maine. He was a visitor from the Christian Commission and later became chaplain of another Maine regiment..

 

[MaryDee]

Oh, and with the reporting, it would have been highly unusual for Chamberlain to have reported directly to the corps commander instead of going through his brigade commander or, at the highest, his division commander.

 

[infomanpa]

The movie (not the book) also had Chamberlain reporting to General Hancock, commander of the 2nd Corps, on July 3, although JLC was in the 5th Corps, commanded by Gen. Sykes.

Oh, and with the reporting, it would have been highly unusual for Chamberlain to have reported directly to the corps commander instead of going through his brigade commander or, at the highest, his division commander.

Glad that you brought that up. I'm pretty sure that in the book, Killer Angels, Chamberlain DOES report to General Sykes. I'm guessing that historically, the meeting never happened

 

[IrishBrigade]

I doubt the meeting ever took place as it's more a movie continuity thing. As for Tom Chamberlain talking with Armisted according to Hessler and Motts book "Pickett's charge at Gettysburg" Pg 219, Armisted used the masonic distress code "My mother is a widow" whilst being carried from the battlefield. Captain Henry Bingham of Hancock's staff heard this and the men exchanged introductions. Armisted apparently said that he had done Hancock and all of you an injury that he would regret as long as he would live. He gave Bingham some personal items and was taken to a field hospital(Spanglers farm) where he died surprising Union XI Corps surgeon Dr Daniel Brinton who didn't think either of his two wounds were serious.

 

[Cpl. Smith]

Glad that you brought that up. I'm pretty sure that in the book, Killer Angels, Chamberlain DOES report to General Sykes. I'm guessing that historically, the meeting never happened

I believe, since it's been a while since I've read the book, that he is on his way to report to someone else when he is asked a question by Sykes.

 

[Mark Roth]

I believe, since it's been a while since I've read the book, that he is on his way to report to someone else when he is asked a question by Sykes.

I'm not even sure where my copy is, but that does sound familiar. Something like: Chamberlain was going to look for ammunition and ran into a general who wanted to hear his story. No official reporting involved

 

[IrishBrigade]

My only guess would be that since one wing of the army under Reynolds was I, III and XI that the other Corps(including 5th) would be under Hancock? Since most of you are asleep I'll check my copy of the Killer Angels when I get home, I even know where it is!

 

[rpkennedy]

My only guess would be that since one wing of the army under Reynolds was I, III and XI that the other Corps(including 5th) would be under Hancock? Since most of you are asleep I'll check my copy of the Killer Angels when I get home, I even know where it is!

The wing structure was First/Third/Eleventh under Reynolds, Second/Sixth under Sedgwick, and Fifth/Twelfth under Slocum. During the battle, Hancock was given direct authority of the Third after Sickles went down and the corps collapsed. Having Chamberlain and Hancock meet is just a way to have two figures together in the novel that did not happen in reality.

Ryan