- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Central Massachusetts
One of the memorable early scenes in the movie "Gettysburg" regards the arrival of "the misfits of the 2nd Maine" at the camp of Chamberlain's 20th Maine; and also the latter's long, preachy speech to them. That all actually happened back in May, several weeks earlier than the movie suggests. And, we don't know what Chamberlain actually said to the men. But, whatever it was, it must have been what they needed to hear, for all but six of the 100-plus men agreed to be integrated into the 20th. In the end, they all took up arms and served loyally.
In his first communication as regimental commander with Maine Governor Abner Coburn, Chamberlain spoke of their situation:
"Headquarters 20th Maine Volunteers
May 25th 1863
To His Excellency Gov. Coburn
"Governor,
"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 20th instant to Col. Ames, and sent to me as the present Commanding Officer of this Reg’t., Col. Ames having been appointed Brigadier General, has taken his oath of office & been assigned a Brigade in Gen. Howard’s Corps where he is now on duty."
[after some remarks regarding the appointment of a new regimental surgeon]
"There is another matter, Governor, about which I wish to have a word with you. The transfer of the 'three years men' of the 2nd Maine has been so clumsily done, that the men were allowed to grow quite mutinous – left uncared for in their old camp after the 2nd had gone for several days & having time & provocation to work themselves up to such a pitch of mutiny that Gen. Barnes had to send them to me as prisoners, liable to severe penalties for disobedience to his orders.
"You are aware, Governor, that promises were made to induce these men to enlist, which are not now kept, & I must say that I sympathize with them in their view of the case. Assured as they were that they would be mustered out with the 2nd, they cannot but feel that they are falsely dealt with in being retained & sent to duty in other Reg’ts. They need to be managed with great care & skill; but I fear that some of them will get into trouble for disobedience of orders or mutiny.
"My orders are to take them & put them on duty which they have already refused to Gen. Barnes & others. I shall carry out any orders whatever may be the consequence; but I sincerely wish these men were fairly dealt with by those who made their promises. All their papers say they are enlisted for three years just as the men of this regiment are, & for us in the field there is no other way but to hold them to it. What you may be able to do for them I do not know.
"I am Governor,
Very Respectfully,
Your ob’t serv’t
J. L. Chamberlain
Lt. Col 20th Maine Vols"
In his first communication as regimental commander with Maine Governor Abner Coburn, Chamberlain spoke of their situation:
"Headquarters 20th Maine Volunteers
May 25th 1863
To His Excellency Gov. Coburn
"Governor,
"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 20th instant to Col. Ames, and sent to me as the present Commanding Officer of this Reg’t., Col. Ames having been appointed Brigadier General, has taken his oath of office & been assigned a Brigade in Gen. Howard’s Corps where he is now on duty."
[after some remarks regarding the appointment of a new regimental surgeon]
"There is another matter, Governor, about which I wish to have a word with you. The transfer of the 'three years men' of the 2nd Maine has been so clumsily done, that the men were allowed to grow quite mutinous – left uncared for in their old camp after the 2nd had gone for several days & having time & provocation to work themselves up to such a pitch of mutiny that Gen. Barnes had to send them to me as prisoners, liable to severe penalties for disobedience to his orders.
"You are aware, Governor, that promises were made to induce these men to enlist, which are not now kept, & I must say that I sympathize with them in their view of the case. Assured as they were that they would be mustered out with the 2nd, they cannot but feel that they are falsely dealt with in being retained & sent to duty in other Reg’ts. They need to be managed with great care & skill; but I fear that some of them will get into trouble for disobedience of orders or mutiny.
"My orders are to take them & put them on duty which they have already refused to Gen. Barnes & others. I shall carry out any orders whatever may be the consequence; but I sincerely wish these men were fairly dealt with by those who made their promises. All their papers say they are enlisted for three years just as the men of this regiment are, & for us in the field there is no other way but to hold them to it. What you may be able to do for them I do not know.
"I am Governor,
Very Respectfully,
Your ob’t serv’t
J. L. Chamberlain
Lt. Col 20th Maine Vols"