TO THE LIMITS OF THE SOUL'S IDEAL:
COMMANDER OF THE 20TH MAINE
This beautiful portrait of Chamberlain was sent to me by Maine artist Ken Hendricksen--I am overwhelmed by his generosity and kind permission!
Please do not copy without express consent of Mr. Hendricksen.

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:

"They had been soon brought over to me under the guard of the 118th Pennsylvania, with fixed bayonets; with orders to me to take them into my regiment and 'make them do duty, or shoot them down the moment they refused'...The responsibility, I had thought, gave me some discretionary power. So I had placed their names on our rolls, distributed them by groups, to equalize companies and particularly to break up the 'esprit de corps' of banded mutineers. Then I had called them together and pointed out to them the situation; that they could not be entertained as civilian guests by me; that they were by authority of the United States on my rolls as soldiers; and I should treat them as soldiers should be treated; that they should lose no rights by obeying orders; and I would see what could be done for their claim."(7)

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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