General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865 officially ending the Civil War. Three days later the formal parade and surrender of the Confederate infantry was overseen by General Joshua Chamberlain.
Prior to the war, General Chamberlain was a Professor at Bowdoin College and volunteered to fight for the Union because he believed that it was the responsibility of all of those able "to leave good positions, and sacrifice the dearest personal interests, to rescue our country from desolation, and defend the national existence against treachery." Chamberlain was an academic, not a career soldier. His ability to think strategically was the key to his victory at Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg and his commitment to victory that earned him the Medal of Honor.
On April 12, 1865 the Confederates, led by General John Brown Gordon, marched forward to relinquish their arms and furl their flags. General Chamberlain gave an order to his men to stand to attention and "carry arms," as a salute to the Confederate soldiers as they passed. Chamberlain wrote in his memoir "all the while on our part not a sound of trumpet or drum, not a cheer, nor a word nor motion of man, but awful stillness as if it were the passing of the dead." Chamberlain's salute was unpopular by other unionists but he defended his actions.
I just finished a book about the growing trend of unmotivated and underachieving boys in America. The last chapter in the book makes a claim that boys today need heroes. Not video game and tv heroes, but real life heroes, men that boys have an actual chance of becoming - people they could strive to become. Chamberlain is one of those heroes. A man who respected academics, had the courage to fight when called upon, and was honorable enough not to gloat over the losing team.
This country is in short supply of these every day heroes. I'm thankful that my boys have some pretty stellar examples in their lives. Sports have taught them to respect their opponent, to prepare for battles, to work hard, and do their part. Their dad, uncles, papas, and grandpas have shown them dedication to family, working hard, serving others, and fighting the hard fights.
If they end up sitting in my basement with 16 cats, wearing pajamas and playing video games all day it will NOT be for the lack of examples.
Prior to the war, General Chamberlain was a Professor at Bowdoin College and volunteered to fight for the Union because he believed that it was the responsibility of all of those able "to leave good positions, and sacrifice the dearest personal interests, to rescue our country from desolation, and defend the national existence against treachery." Chamberlain was an academic, not a career soldier. His ability to think strategically was the key to his victory at Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg and his commitment to victory that earned him the Medal of Honor.
On April 12, 1865 the Confederates, led by General John Brown Gordon, marched forward to relinquish their arms and furl their flags. General Chamberlain gave an order to his men to stand to attention and "carry arms," as a salute to the Confederate soldiers as they passed. Chamberlain wrote in his memoir "all the while on our part not a sound of trumpet or drum, not a cheer, nor a word nor motion of man, but awful stillness as if it were the passing of the dead." Chamberlain's salute was unpopular by other unionists but he defended his actions.
I just finished a book about the growing trend of unmotivated and underachieving boys in America. The last chapter in the book makes a claim that boys today need heroes. Not video game and tv heroes, but real life heroes, men that boys have an actual chance of becoming - people they could strive to become. Chamberlain is one of those heroes. A man who respected academics, had the courage to fight when called upon, and was honorable enough not to gloat over the losing team.
This country is in short supply of these every day heroes. I'm thankful that my boys have some pretty stellar examples in their lives. Sports have taught them to respect their opponent, to prepare for battles, to work hard, and do their part. Their dad, uncles, papas, and grandpas have shown them dedication to family, working hard, serving others, and fighting the hard fights.
If they end up sitting in my basement with 16 cats, wearing pajamas and playing video games all day it will NOT be for the lack of examples.
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