Chamberlain The famous Mainer who was the last man to die of Civil War wounds

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The famous Mainer who was the last man to die of Civil War wounds
February 20, 2017History20th Maine, Bowdoin, brewer, civil war, Killer Angels, maine, Steve Earle, this week in portland history
By Troy R. Bennett

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Hello! Every seven days, for the rest of the year, This Week in Portland History is bringing to light a person or event from the city’s past.

A Confederate rifle ball ripped through Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain’s pelvis at the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia in June 1864. It ruptured his bladder and severed his urethra. The bullet mangled his guts beyond repair — but it took 50 agonizing years before he finally succumbed to his injuries.

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Joshua Chamberlain died on Feb. 24, 1914 in Portland at age 85. He was the last man to die of his Civil War battle wounds and was, at the time of his death, the surveyor of customs in Portland. Maine Memory Network item 5178

He spent that half century in constant pain. He endured ceaseless bladder and testicular infections — in an age before antibiotics — and several unsuccessful operations.

More: http://portland.bangordailynews.com...-was-the-last-man-to-die-of-civil-war-wounds/
 
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