Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (1828-1914) was a college professor from the State of Maine who volunteered during the American Civil War to join the Union Army. Although he had no earlier education in military strategies, he became a highly respected & decorated Union officer, reaching the rank of brevet Major-General. For his gallantry at Gettysburg, he was awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor. He was given the honor of commanding the Union troops at the surrender ceremony of General Robert E. Lee's Army at Appomattox. In all, Chamberlain served in 20 battles and numerous skirmishes. Cited for bravery four times, he had six horses shot from under him, and was wounded six times. Chamberlain's book, "The Passing Of The Armies" details the final twelve-day campaign that forced the surrender of General Robert E. Lee's Army Of Northern Virginia, which effectively ended the American Civil War. In his eyewitness account, Chamberlain details the battles that culminated in this surrender. Chamberlain, then a Major-General, was privy to the strategic plan as well as an on-the-spot commander participating in the various battles. The result is an astonishing mix of theoretical plans & real world results that detail both Civil War battle history & the famous "Fog of War" miscalculations that result from the hardships & terrors that occur in the actual battles. An amazing account of the close of the Civil War from a commander & front-line soldier rolled into one.
