Just after Joshua Chamberlain took command of the 20th, an incident happened that would test his leadership skills to the utmost: One hundred and twenty men of the old 2nd Maine regiment were literally dumped into his lap! These veteran soldiers were rough and tough fellows--having 'cleared the field' in a brigade-wide brawl just after the battle of Fredericksburg.
These men also thought they were being mustered out with their comrades, whose two-year enlistments had recently expired. Unfortunately, these 120 men had mistakenly signed up for three-year enlistments! They mutinied and refused to do military duty, and were awaiting court-martial:
Because of Chamberlain's actions, all but six of these men ended up fighting with the 20th Maine - and none too soon. The 20th had need of more men, and they and the rest of the AOP were soon to be pursuing Lee's army north again. They were on the road to Gettysburg.
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