Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the Petersburg Campaign : his supposed charge from Fort Hell, his near-mortal wounding, and a Civil War myth reconsidered

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain earned the sobriquet "Lion of the Round Top" for his tactical brilliance leading his 20th Maine Infantry on the rocky wooded slopes of Little Round Top at on the evening of July 2, 1863. Promoted to brigade command, he was presumed mortally wounded during an assault at Petersburg on June 18, 1864, and bestowed a rare "on the spot" battlefield promotion to brigadier general. He survived, returned to the command in 1865, and participated in the surrender of Lee's veterans at Appomattox. Chamberlain went to his grave a half-century later believing he was wounded while advancing alone from the future site of "Fort Hell." His thrust, so he and others believed, was against the permanent fortifications of the Dimmock Line at Rives' Salient, near the Jerusalem Plank Road, through a murderous flank fire from what was soon to become Confederate-held Fort Mahone. This narrative has been perpetuated by Chamberlain scholars and biographers over the past century. Chamberlain's wounding and Rives' Salient are now fused in the modern consciousness. This interpretation was given an additional mantle of authority with the erection of a Medal of Honor Recipient's placard near South Crater Road by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources on November 8, 2014. In fact, author Dennis A. Rasbach argues, a careful review of the primary evidence left by Chamberlain and his contemporaries suggests that Chamberlain was mistaken regarding the larger context of the engagement in which he fought and fell. An overwhelming body of evidence, much of it derived from Chamberlain himself, demonstrates he actually attacked a different part of the Confederate line in the vicinity of an entirely different road. This part of the Petersburg campaign must now be rewritten to properly understand the important battle of June 18, 1864, and Chamberlain's role in it. Richly illustrated with photos and original maps, and documented with extensive primary accounts, Rasbach's Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the Petersburg Campaign dispels a well-established Civil War myth, and sets the historical record straight. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain had no idea that the failed attack he led at Petersburg on June 18, 1864, that nearly took his life would spark controversy more than a century later. According to his own accounts, penned decades after the event, he led his brigade against the permanent fortifications of the Dimmock Line at Rives Salient, in an attack that originated from the future site of Union Fort Hell. His line of battle advanced along the Jerusalem Plank Road through a murderous flank fire from what was soon to become Confederate-held Fort Mahone. According to author Dennis Rasbachs new study, none of this is true. Chamberlains grievous and presumed fatal wounding, together with his stellar previous service at Little Round Top and elsewhere, resulted in a rare on the spot battlefield promotion to brigadier general. He survived, returned to brigade command in 1865, and participated in the surrender of Lees veterans at Appomattox. His account of the events of June 18, coupled with its perpetuation by historians and other writers, fused his wounding and Rives Salient in the modern consciousness. This interpretation was given an additional mantle of authority with the erection of a Medal of Honor Recipients placard near South Crater Road by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources on November 8, 2014. Rasbach builds his meticulous case like a detective, adding one piece of primary evidence upon another while matching them to terrain features. Chamberlain was a brave and honest man, argues Rasbach, but he was gravely wounded amidst smoke and confusion, carried off the field, and never had the opportunity to re-study the ground over which he led his men. An overwhelming body of evidence, much of it derived from Chamberlain himself, demonstrates he actually attacked a different part of the Confederate line nearly a mile away. Richly illustrated with photos and more than thirty maps, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the Petersburg Campaign dispels a well-established Civil War myth and sets the historical record straight. It is essential reading for all who would understand the important fighting of June 18, 1864, and Chamberlains role in it. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Earned The Sobriquet Lion Of The Round Top For His Tactical Brilliance Leading His 20th Maine Infantry On The Rocky Wooded Slopes Of Little Round Top At Gettysburg On The Evening Of July 2, 1863. Promoted To Brigade Command, He Was Presumed Mortally Wounded During An Assault At Petersburg On June 18, 1864, And Bestowed A Rare On The Spot Battlefield Promotion To Brigadier General. He Survived, Returned To The Command In 1865, And Participated In The Surrender Of Lee S Veterans At Appomattox.chamberlain Went To His Grave A Half-century Later Believing He Was Wounded While Advancing Alone From The Future Site Of Fort Hell. His Thrust, So He And Others Believed, Was Against The Permanent Fortifications Of The Dimmock Line At Rives Salient, Near The Jerusalem Plank Road, Through A Murderous Flank Fire From What Was Soon To Become Confederate-held Fort Mahone. This Narrative Has Been Perpetuated By Chamberlain Scholars And Biographers Over The Past Century. Chamberlain S Wounding And Rives Salient Are Now Fused In The Modern Consciousness. This Interpretation Was Given An Additional Mantle Of Authority With The Erection Of A Medal Of Honor Recipient S Placard Near South Crater Road By The Virginia Department Of Historic Resources On November 8, 2014.in Fact, Author Dennis A. Rasbach Argues, A Careful Review Of The Primary Evidence Left By Chamberlain And His Contemporaries Suggests That Chamberlain Was Mistaken Regarding The Larger Context Of The Engagement In Which He Fought And Fell. An Overwhelming Body Of Evidence, Much Of It Derived From Chamberlain Himself, Demonstrates He Actually Attacked A Different Part Of The Confederate Line In The Vicinity Of An Entirely Different Road. This Part Of The Petersburg Campaign Must Now Be Rewritten To Properly Understand The Important Battle Of June 18, 1864, And Chamberlain S Role In It.richly Illustrated With Photos And Original Maps, And Documented With Extensive Primary Accounts, Rasbach S Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain And The Petersburg Campaign Dispels A Well-established Civil War Myth, And Sets The Historical Record Straight.