Joshua Chamberlain was born on September 8, 1828. He was the first born son of Sarah Dupree Brastow and Joshua Chamberlain. He was born in Brewer, Maine. Joshua had four younger siblings (ThoughtCo.). Chamberlain grew up being called “Lawrence.” His parents and siblings, Grace and Harold, always called him “Lawrence” (The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable). Joshua was raised in the Congregational Church. He would stutter sometimes when he talked, and he was shy when he was a little boy. As Chamberlain grew to adolescence, he worked in a brickyard and the industry of timber. He grew up doing normal childhood activities such as: swimming, horseback riding, and using his imagination (Biography.com). Sarah,…show more content… Bowdoin college did not want him to join the Army. They believed he was too important at the college to lose. Lawrence was promised to be able to leave Bowdoin College. He made the excuse to leave Bowdoin to study languages in England. In 1862, he left Bowdoin; meanwhile, he joined the Army. He was a volunteer for Israel Washburn, Jr., governor of Maine. Joshua had the chance to become the command of the 20th Maine Infantry; instead, he became the units lieutenant colonel on August 8, 1862. He did not want to become the command of the 20th Maine Infantry because he wanted to learn trade first. Joshua was eventually joined into the 20th Maine Infantry. His younger brother, Thomas D. Chamberlain joined him. Colonel Adelbert Ames was who Lawrence was serving under. On August 20, 1862, Chamberlain and the 20th Maine assembled troops to fight (ThoughtCo.). He was a lieutenant colonel during the battle of Antietam. The 20th Maine did not fight; instead, they were held in reserve. This was Joshua’s first battle as being in control of a group of troops (Civilwarhome.com). The Battle of Antietam started on September 17, 1862. It only lasted for one day. There was no clear winner for the battle. During the battle, twenty-three thousand men were killed from the Union and the Confederates’ side. It was the single bloodiest day in American history. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, Lawrence was over the 20th Maine. The battle was a failure for the Union. The battle started on December 11, 1862. It was cold and icy from the snowstorm that occurred a few days prior to the battle. Two of Chamberlain’s men froze to death. The battle lasted four days. The battle was a confederate victory; as a matter of fact, the battle is also known as a massacre. During
