Soul Of The Lion

Chamberlain was a born soldier but he planned to be a missionary. A graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary, he was an instructor at Bowdoin College when the Civil War broke out & he discovered his true vocation. His military career was one of exceptional gallantry. He was an officer always in the thick of battle. Fourteen horses were shot under him & finally he was terribly wounded, yet recovered to fight in the closing campaign of the war. He was designated to receive the surrender of the Confederate infantry after the Appomattox meeting of Grant & Lee & he played the role with magnanimity. Chamberlain's peacetime career was no less notable. Four times he was elected Governor of the State of Maine & later became president of Bowdoin College. In 1880 Chamberlain, unarmed & alone, faced down a mob that threatened to kill him. With magnificent courage, he said: "I am here to see that the laws of this state are put into effect...If anybody wants to kill me for it, here I am." Willard Wallace has told with sympathy, insight & understanding, the life story of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Stan Clark Military Books, 915 Fairview Avenue, Gettysburg, PA 17325; Phone: 717-337-1728.