2 Quotes & Sayings By Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a noted American soldier, professor, and college president. He was born on March 26, 1828, in Lincoln, Maine. His father died when he was young and he went to work at an early age as a farm laborer. In 1846 at the age of 21 he enrolled in a military academy in a neighboring state and graduated two years later with a commission as second lieutenant of infantry
He saw action during the Mexican-American War and was involved in one of the bloodiest battles of the war at Monterrey. In 1855 he came home to teach at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. In 1862 he was called upon to command a regiment during the Civil War.
In 1863 his regiment was called upon to attack Confederate forces at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The following year he was promoted to brigadier general and led his brigade to victory at Chickamauga, Georgia. He became a national hero after leading a daring charge up a steep hill against heavy odds at the battle of Missionary Ridge in Tennessee.
After being severely wounded near Chattanooga, he returned home where he spent the next three years recuperating before going back to college as president of Washington University in St. Louis.