On July 2, 1863, Confederate Gen. John B. Hood launched a series of assaults on the Union flank at Gettysburg. With his men running out of ammunition and casualties running high, Joshua Chamberlain (1828–1914) ordered his men to fix bayonets and then led the charge down the sloping ground of Little Round Top into their attackers. The Confederates broke and ran, only reassembling at the base of the hill. The Union flank was saved. Decades later, Chamberlain received the Medal of Honor for leading that attack.
While some have lauded Chamberlain as the hero for that charge, as in Michael Shaara’s popular novel, “Killer Angels,” others have accused Chamberlain of vanity and even outright deception regarding his role in the battle. None deny his bravery under fire—he fought in 24 battles and numerous skirmishes and was wounded six times, nearly dying at Petersburg—but his role at Gettysburg remains controversial.
