In addition to our historical breakdown on our channel, check out this article from our friends at the American Battlefield Trust: www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/defense-little-round-top
The sad thing is that many of our citizens are ignorant of this history and similarly that of the World Wars. Our right-wing politicians have spent decades dumbing down Americans and misrepresenting history to fit their narrative of greed, avarice, and treason. They have shown just how much abuse and dishonor is possible under our Constitutional Republic.
Chamberlain became a brigadier. He was terribly wounded in Grant’s campaign against Lee. He was promoted to Major General as no one expected him to live. Yet, he did return to active duty. At Appomattox he was placed in charge of the Confederate surrender. He had his men to stand to attention as the Confederate troops passed to stack their arms. He went home to serve two terms as Governor of Maine. He then returned to lead Bowden College. He had many operations but he suffered for the rest of his life. He did attend the 50th Anniversary of Gettysburg.
I hate to be that guy, but some statements here are false. When Chamberlain was wounded, he was a colonel in command of a brigade. Grant promoted him on the spot to brigadier general, which was the rank he held almost until the end of the war, when he was breveted Major General. He also served four one-year terms as Governor. He did not attend the 50th anniversary of Gettysburg due to ill health.
I freely admit to errors on my part. He served 4 one year terms as Governor. I was wrong about the 50th. He was too ill to attend. I believe was consulted about the planning for the 50th. @@nedajenyap
Even though he died at quite an old age, he is still considered to died of his old war wounds.... So technically they say he is the last casualty of the Civil War...
I am not even American & this scene gives me chills every time. This is without a doubt one of the greatest chapters in US history. The North was profoundly lucky to have an officer of Chamberlain’s calibre.
Every officer on that hill performed magnificently. If it wasn't Chamberlain another would have held the line. That was the quality of the officer corps of the Army of the Potomac in July 1863. All battle hardened leaders by then. Cowards and oppurtunistsbwere long gone.
@@imnotyourfriendbuddy1883 I am honestly not so sure of that. According to independent international observers of the war effort by the Union, they had very strong words expressing a lack of faith in the Union officer corps. According to the subject matter experts of the day, Chamberlain was an exception to the relatively low standard the Union had by reputation. That being said, there were many officers the Union had that were exceptional, equal to Chamberlain’s high standard but they were very much in the minority. I rather lean on the well informed primary sources of subject matter experts over any secondary sources.
Born, raised and lived in Maine my entire life. When I was in the Maine National Guard I had more than one First Sergeant who would make you write an essay if you were a new soldier who didn’t know who Joshua Chamberlain was.
U shud be proud off this unit from maine if the rebs had got over that hill it would have been a disaster for the union hero s all and the rest off the union regiments kicked that south's arse🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
“A college professor from Maine who on a little hill in Pennsylvania ordered an unlikely textbook maneuver that saved the Union Army and quite possibly the Union itself…”
Most certainly the union itself. If he had been a soldier he would have surrendered. Since he was a schoolteacher he fixed bayonets. No one expected that. That’s why he won. Outnumbered ten to one, out of ammo, and completely surrounded
Stepping away from the military tactics etc for a moment, I just want to comment on Jeff Daniels' acting. I've watched Gettysburg several times, and I then think of him in Dumb & Dumber, and just can't believe it's the same actor. What a talent!
There's a wonderful video on RU-vid of how the director and producers correctly decided on Daniels for the role. Based on his past work, they knew Daniels to be the perfect actor to portray the warrior/scholar that Chamberlain was. That Daniels did even better than expected is to his further credit.
My favorite scene in the movie comes just after this when Col. Chamberlain's victorious Federals are leading the Confederate prisoners back to Union lines. One of the Northern soldiers whispers to the colonel, "I'm moving these Rebs along with an empty rifle." Chamberlain smiles and replies, "Shh, don't let them hear you say that."
the funny thing is that at the time, it wouldn't have mattered. Sure... *he* may have been out of ammo, but his bayonet was still sharp, and there was no guarantee that the others were out (in the minds of the Rebs). On top of that, they were tired, hungry, and demoralized. For them, the war was over.
For me the scene was very emotional when the other colonel wanted to shake his hand because of his bayonet attack and that as a rather not so emotional man. It always gives me a lump in my throat. Although I have to say that I liked General Longstreet most in this movie.
@@shanebell2514 This is my all-time favorite movie, and I've seen it a number of times. So I'm pretty confident when I tell you he said, _"Not so loud."_
I'm amazed at how Chamberlain still can run carrying those big brass balls of steel. The man was an amazing commander. I just read an article about him on Wikipedia and can't help but amazed by his heroism.
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was the epitome of a Civil War commander; a college professor with no military experience who rose through the ranks to become eventually a general.
After seeing this film in a large cinema in Cambridge, MA; and then reading several books about Chamberlain; I was inspired to give my son the middle name, Chamberlain. Scholar, warrior and humanitarian.
My great great grandfather was a member of the 15th Alabama inf. He was wounded in this charge and he was cared for be the men of the 20 Maine saved his life. If not for those Maine scrappers I wouldn't exist.
I stood on that ground on a foggy early morning. Having been a soldier myself I had a relationship similar to these men that had to embrace the suck and deal with what they were given. I found the place uncomfortable knowing what had happened there, kept feeling like I was being watched but no one was there but me. Compared to the other monuments the 20th Maine is simple, straightforward and solid like the men that fought there. Rest in peace
You were a soldier. I was an airman. You WERE being watched, and when I make it out there, so will I be watched. Nothing to be afraid of, just our older brothers having our back.
I almost cry with pride and humility...he held the line..else the union would have been flanked. Because of this the union held. He is a national treasure in your country.
I have studied many battles throughout history as a historian and his scene moves me greatly every time a watch it. I have studied American history and in my opinion it at Gettysburg the USA was born as a nation! So much so that the Gettysburg Address " One Nation Before God" is confused by so many as a part of the Constitution.
I don't remember how many "greats" he was, but Chamberlain is my uncle, married into my family on my grandmother's side, my grandfather was a huge family history buff and he would always talk about how amazing Chamberlain was and how lucky I was to be related to him. After going to Gettysburg and then watching the movie and learning the history, yeah he was totally right. If only I had been more interested while my grandpa was still around
Think of all the men of their caliber who never thought to write down their memories or were never interviewed--or gave the last full measure of courage and died before their tale could be told. Thankfully, they weren't the only men of their caliber.
This plus his speech to the mutineers at the beginning. There's quite a story behind the filming of the speech. He didn't hit the mark on the first two takes. They had scheduling problems and it had to be filmed at sunrise. He threatened to quit if they didn't give him a 3rd take.
I'm from Alabama and had ancestors that opposed Col. Chamberlain at Gettysburg. Still I can't help but admiring the man! He was truly a Golden Knight from another age.
I don't care what anyone says, this is still the best performance ever put in by Jeff Daniels in anything. Bar none. When he screams out the bayonets command, absolute chills
What makes this charge even more impressive was that they formed up for the charge and pivoted like a door on a hinge.....a difficult feat under the best of circumstance and those were NOT the best of circumstances. An outstanding feat of leadership and bravery
@eq1373 actually it was straight out of the army manual of the time, which is why chamberlain was able to recall it at that critical moment; he was a scholar at heart, a school-teacher during peacetime, and certainly would have done his reading.
@@hockema56 But we can still be impressed that his command had trained well on such tactics and could execute them under difficult circumstances. Sometimes a tactical genius is just the one who can remember the right tactic for a situation and then execute is well.
@roguishpaladin of course we can still be impressed. I'm really not sure why you felt the need to tell me that. The only thing I was responding to was the person who said it was "ahead of its time." That isn't at all what made his use of that tactic "impressive," in addition to just being flat-out inaccurate.
Joshua Chamberlain: - Decorated Civil War hero - Accomplished Professor at Bowdoin College - 4x Governor of Maine - Quite Possibly the Greatest Mainer To Have Ever Lived
At the end of the war, only two men were able to carry their "volunteer" rank over to the the regular army. Even "General" Custer had only been able to advance back to Leutenant Colonel by '76, 11 years after Lee's surrender! (When, having divided the 7th Cavary into 3 parts got himself and the part that was with him wiped out to the last man.). General Chamberlain was one of those two.
A few of my friends were there for this shoot. I was an extra in some of the Pickett’s Charge scenes shot in August, 1992. This was filmed in September, almost 30 years ago. No CGI here.
@@oldprankster7606 Yes. I think Gettysburg and Gods And Generals will be among the last movies using “thousands of extras” rather than CGI. “Napoleon” comes out soon. It will show massive battles like Austerlitz and Waterloo. An interview with the director indicates they used 300 infantry and 100 cavalry in the battle scenes. I’m sure they used CGI to make those 400 look like thousands.
There is no doubt about that! I remember when I first saw this movie in the theater, they had an intermission right after this scene. I had read the book the movie's based on (The Killer Angels), and this scene was the highlight of the book. Up to that point I had watched too many movies that had never adequately conveyed the power of the book I had read, until that moment. As the intermission lights went up, feeling a great deal of satisfaction, I stood up and ruminated on the greatness of what I had just seen.
According to family lore, my ancestral cousin Private Willard Woodhouse Buxton of K Company was unable to make the charge, but witnessed it as he had fallen wounded early in the battle. He died a week later of his wounds in a field hospital. His body was returned to Maine where he was buried. His name is on the 20th Maine monument at Little Round Top. He was 19 years old.
@@seanmelhuish3898 There was a violent rebellion to the United States of America. No both sides there. They were eventually crushed after hundreds of thousands of lives lost. Do you know why Arlington National Cemetery is where it is? Most wars are unjust? Isn't obvious in most wars which side that is?
I showed this movie to a group of 5th grade gifted students in North Georgia. Chamberlain's charge was their favorite part and they requested to watch it again. So we did. Jeff Daniels yelling "bayonets" is the most moving moment.
Daniels portrayed Chamberlain using his voice to put just that much more steel into his men's spines for the inevitable. That's what a true leader excels at.
@@tray488 SC here Chamberlain was a knight born in the wrong age a true warrior poet and leader of men whose leadership most likely saved the Union of these United States. What is not to admire.
This scene defines America. We do not give up. We accept our destiny. We innovate. We execute with ferocity. We triumph. This is in all of us. We're Americans.
YES! THIS IS THE BEST OF U.S. WHEN WE PULL TOGETHER AS ONE. I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. I LIVED IN CENTRAL AMERICA FOR A DECADE, CANADA FOR FIVE YEARS, BEEN TO 37 COUNTRIES, BUT THIS IS MY HOME FOREVER. I AM IN LOVE WITH IT.
Call it a-historical, call it dramatic license, call it over the top... but I defy anyone to not get a little affected by "BAYONEEETTS!!!!" It's one of the most stirring moments in military movie history. Whether or not you feel Chamberlains charge was a very important moment in the battle, the decision to charge and not run away is one of the bravest and boldest moments in American military history.
According to my uncle, my grandfather met Chamberlain once. Our family lived across the river from the college. My grandfather was born in 1895 in Topsham, Maine.
Funny how events we think of as long ago really weren't if you think hard. My father once met the son of Captain Lord, captain of the Californian, the ship that depending on who you listen to failed to go to the Titanic's assistance. His son always insisted his father did nothing wrong and only acted in the way any captain would have in his position
@@richardmardis2492 from what I've read it seems likely that he didn't do a lot wrong, but didn't do as much as he could have. One example was I believe he was woken up and warned that those on watch were seeing what later turned out to be the flares fired by Titanic. No one really appreciated that they were distress flares. He could have woken up his radio operator to check if anything was on the radio, but chose not to. Radio was still in its infancy and californian only had one operator who had gone to bed shortly before the iceberg was hit. Certainly Rostrom of Carpathia moved heaven and earth to help and Lord may well have done the same had he known what was happening, but he made some crucial decisions that kept him unaware of the situation
The big question would be.... who'd play him? Sure, you could get this actor (Jeff Danials) to play him in his later years, but who would be able to best play the man during his younger years, and his wartime service?
It's 12:15 in the morning, I should be doing my math homework, but the Union's little prance down the hill has to be the funniest thing I've seen in a while. Also, I love this scene so much. Gives me the chills every time I watch it.
In fairness, the extras are reinactors who brought their own replica rifles and bayonets. I imagine they didn't want to accidentally trip or accidentally stab an fellow reenacter on the other side.
Gives me chills every single time. Chamberlain was and is a huge idol of mine and always will be. To be in command of such a beaten and battered unit, almost completely out of ammo, and your officers around you ready to turn tail and run. Decided to be the badass and lead the charge down to the traitors and protect the rest of the Union Army behind them. Ended up routing them right away and saving the second day of the battle in favor of the Union. It will always be iconic for me. Studied him hard while in the military. Just wished I stayed in long enough to become an officer and join the greats like him.
I'm a proud born and raised Texan through and through and my ancestors fought in the Texas Brigade alongside Stonewall Jackson, but hearing a speech from Chamberlain and seeing his bravery against the odds inspires great respect from me. He stood his ground despite the apparent hopelessness of the situation and won the fight. That I can respect.
Sickles was a cad....very interesting history, get ahold of a copy of American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles biography by the novelist Thomas Keneally
I saw this in a theater when it first came out, and a dozen men jumped to their feet yelling "YEAH" and "GO" without thinking about it, me included. It's the most powerful battle scene in the history of war movies.
Glorious! Three titbits about Chamberlain. You'll notice he has a strange gait running down the hill; he had been shot in the foot earlier. The incident where he wound up face to face with a Reb who tried to shoot him and either was empty or misfired really happened, and Chamberlain graciously spared him. There was another Reb Chamberlain never saw you had him in his sights multiple times and could have killed him with ease, but something about Chamberlain stayed his hand, each and every time. Years later he wrote Chamberlain telling him how they had "met" years. Naturally Chamberlain was deeply moved. Chamberlain saved the Union. The professor who be came a god of war (small g).
Saw the movie. Ten years later had the opportunity to stand atop that ground. As a 20 infantry veteran, I was in tears thinking about what those men, on both sides, went through that day.
Even as a brit to think of this strategy clearly and having the courage to carry it out shows the stature of the man but the men with him are never forgotten
It's said that the tactic was a very obscure one that Chamberlain (who had no military experience) had read in a training manual some time before and filed away in his brain ready to implement it when the situation arose.
While retreat was not an option, giving a fight to the last man standing order with exhausted troops depleted of ammunition would have been disastrous. But giving his men the metaphorical ace in the hole that a surprise charge that may have looked suicidal on paper, but their best chance to survive and win and went with it.
Naw, we can forget about the boys on the confederate side. They fought for a horrible cause, on the wrong side of history. They are forgotten as far as I’m concerned.
@@hereef1 You dishonor honorable men. Disgusting. The South had seceded. Done deal. A right granted by the Constitution. The union was not disposed to let that happen. In other words, were not disposed to live by the constitution. It is offensive that the Confederacy is blamed for fighting for slavery when only a few had slaves, but the overwhelming majority of Southerners just wanted to be free of the north. And still do.
@@7owlfthr bubba, listen not gonna debate this thing with you. The south fought for a horrible cause on the wrong side of history. Don’t take my word. Read the first couple of paragraphs in Mississippi’s succession letter for leaving the Union. They explain what the Civil War was all about. Cheers.
@@hereef1yeah arguing with Lost Causers gets you nowhere. "But taxes" "but states rights". All I say is usually what you did. Just read the Confederate States own words in nearly every single piece of documentation on why they left the union. If you don't believe it from the horses mouth, there's no way you're gonna believe me. 🤷♂️
Every time I see this I still get goosebumps. It's that moment of clarity where a desperate situation, mortal fear, and an awareness of the only reasonably available and viable course of action all coalesce ... and you steel yourself to rise to the occasion to carry forth with the task, no matter how bloody and lethal you KNOW it will be. The scene and Daniels' acting is MASTERFUL.
I still remember when my family visited Gettysburg and toured the battlefield. I learned how it was the one battle that reverse tactics played a big role as to why the Union forces beat the Confederates there. Lee and his generals usually fought a defensive battle, like at Fredericksburg, and let the Federals attack against amassed troops and guns behind emplacements. But Gettysburg was different because the Union forces were fighting a defensive battle with the Confederates doing the attacking. Gettysburg was where Lee showed he could be beaten. I enjoyed this video of Chamberlain's defense and attack on Little Round Top as well as the movie and one day I would like to revisit the battlefield before I get too old and broke.
War is not a thing to be celebrated or glorified, and the civil war is not a part of the nation's proud history, yet I've watched this scene time and time over and I still got chills down my spine every time with the scream of "Bayonet"!
Take this scene and multiply it many times over up and down the entire Union line over 3 days. At Culps Hill with Union commanders Slocum and Howard the exact same defense and counter-charge with bayonets also played out. Confederate charge after charge was met with desperate defense and a tenacity that Lee did not realize the Union was capable of. There were a dozen opportunities for the Union to lose that battle. Each overcome by the type of heroism and luck on display in this scene.
Well, if the boss wants to make a bayonet attack, then we'll do it. Not only does he command him, he takes over one of the two halves. Doesn't look particularly elegant, but there's a hole in his foot where it doesn't belong. Those brief, stunned looks from the officers, which immediately turn to confidence, because you have a lot of self-confidence. And as I said, the boss is fully involved. The soldiers don't even ask because it's in the repertoire. "Leadership from the front" is what we call it here in Germany + natural authority, no nervous yelling from would-be bosses, which tells you that things are definitely going to go wrong. This gentleman was a fascinating personality + the courage and self-confidence of all his soldiers also comes from the feeling of unity.
I tried doing the charge - both Pickett’s and Chamberlain’s. Chamberlain’s was a fight not to faceplant the ground, that’s how steep the hills are - imagine having a rifle and many boys behind you The charge was unstoppable. Pickets on the other hand…was a draw out charge…if anything, it should be known as Picket’s Walk. Open ground. Obstacles. In plain view. The only thing that was missing was a Calvary charge with banners that scream “shoot me!”
Since they had to get to the line together, they couldn't all out run. And it was a very long distance that they had to cover. Union knew they would slow up at the obstacles and targeted them with cannon right there. It was for the most part suicidal.
@@cejannuzi in the film Longstreet argues against it, and to his credit, he was right. Nearly a mile over open ground, the union had the strong stone wall as they did at Fredericksburg, "No fifteen thousand men ever created can take that hill".
Pickett was brave knowing it might be a lost cause but he went and led anyhow. Chamberlain? He knew that he couldn't allow his 20th Maine to be taken or the Rebs would roll up the flank and get behind the Union lines. And just when it looked bleakest, he decided to ramp up the intensity and charge into the Rebs with bayonets. Chamberlain was a man who inspired greatness ....
And Hancock. "There are times when a corps commander's life does not count."--said when the Confederate artillery bombardment was coming in and he refused to get off of his horse, instead sitting tall for his men to see and rally around. He took a leg wound later, but survived the war and even ran for President years later.
And yet, Meade had Lee's measure. He knew Lee was coming for the center on day 3. Beyond the failed artillery, Lee was also counting on Meade to reinforce the flanks that were previously attacked on the prior days. Meade knew better and his forces were advantageously deployed. Game, set, match.
I looked it up and you are right. I looked it up because, frankly, in this film he doesn't look or sound like the Donal Logue I've seen in other stuff. Thanks, man!
Excellent and wonderful clip. When visiting Gettysburg, memories of this film often help me to remember what these people braved, endured, and went through - Absolutely F#(%ing crazy. Huge Cheers to those Guys and God Speed! '
What I love about the real action is that Chamberlain didn't even need to explain or even MAKE the order to fix bayonets and charge. His men did it on their own initiative because that was what Chamberlain and his officers had trained them to do. That to me is even more impressive an evidence of leadership than this gloriously epic portrayal of an epic moment.
Fun Fact Chamberlain and the commander of one of the Confederate Regiments he fought at Little Round Top Colonel William C. Oates commander of the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment later went on to become the governors of their home states after the war
Chamberlain was from Bouldin College but someone else was too.If you've seen the series The Pacific you know who I'm talking about.Great film.Great acting.
The Southern troops at this point were exhausted. They marched all day to Gettysburg. Then head right to little round top. And pushed that line over and over again. Eventually stopped cold by Chamberlains tenacity. Men from Texas and Maine meet on a hill in Pennsylvania and shoot at each other.. Civil War was a wild time.
Alabama was there. If I'm correct, it was General Longstreet from Texas who advised against it. Out-politicked. Maybe that's where the gentleman got the "Texas" from. These were brave, sleep-deprived, exhausted men from Alabama. They are honored still.
@@7owlfthr Longstreet was from South Carolina. He was the corps commander who advised against the overall attack and wanted to go further around to the right. John Bell Hood was the division commander, who was from Texas. There were two Texas regiments that fought the rest of the Union brigade on the other side of Little Round Top though.
@@WBookout10 thanks for the correction! Facts are important, & I was recalling this erroneously from years ago. Appreciate the info! I did remember he tried hard to prevent this disaster!
This is my favorite scene from the movie. Every ancestor of mine alive at the time lived in the South. I know that I had at least 3 ancestors in the Texas Division at Gettysburg. This movie captures the humanity of the battle. I also love the book.
Sometimes small decisions made by those facing the wrath at critical moments can become decisive in a battle, irrespective of the size of the forces involved.
I have always felt that Josh Chamberlain is the reason we still have a United States of America and not two separate but unequal countries on the continent.
The importance of Little Round Top, and the importance of the 20th Maine at Little Round Top, has been quite exaggerated -- mostly by none other than Chamberlain himself, after the war. He was well-known for his Civil War braggadocio. Had the Alabama regiments driven the 20th Maine off the hill, they would have faced the entire fresh Union VI Corps rushing in to reinforce the position. Having suffered heavy casualties, exhausted, out of water and out of ammo, without any nearby reinforcements, they would not have been able to hold the hill for very long. If you've ever been there, you'll see plainly that moving artillery onto the summit would have been immensely difficult, especially under fire, and would not have offered enfilade fire on the Union line. The 140th New York made an equally desperate and heroic charge down Little Round Top, led by Paddy O'Rorke, who was killed in the charge. I have always felt that Little Round Top held because of Strong Vincent, Paddy O'Rorke, Charles Hazlett, and Stephen Weed -- mostly 20-somethings who led their units bravely and heroically to defend the position. They were all killed there, however, so they never got to tell their stories. Chamberlain was able to take the credit, and many now deem, somewhat unfairly.
Best combat scene ever, along with the attack on Battery Wagner in Glory. The distance from the position of the 20th Maine to the bottom of the hill was quite short compared to what they showed in the movie.
Not as bad as the fact that in "Glory", the 54th Massachusetts was marching the wrong way - south along the Atlantic, rather than to the north, where Fort Wagner actually was,
As a former C.W. re-enactor, I can't believe how risky filming a bayonet charge was in this terrain. I owned a genuine Civil War bayonet years ago. This fine steel weapon had an almost a needle sharp point, unlike the cheap replicas from India. It was a most intimidating weapon when in the hands of a soldier skilled in the art of fencing with rifle and bayonet.
I’m not from America but grew up here and feel the pride in these men🙏 i cry to think what they fought for is becoming lost in politics and controversy in these modern times. I wish to feel the pride United 🙏
We can thank the evil perpetrated on our country by the democratic party. Lying about slavery, willfully ignoring states rights, supporting and participating the KuKluxKlan....and today continuing the lie by forcing states to operate under the US Dept of Education and its dummie down plan making America 23 in the world instead of first.
When my Ancestors first came to the states they settled down in Pennsylvania, mainly Pittsburgh, In fact my oldest living relative was born there. So I’ve always been interested in the Battle of Gettysburg has always fascinated me as it basically took place on the state of my family’s origin.
I was 13 years old in 2014 when I was Visiting Gettysburg National Park at Little Round Top where Colonel Joshua Chamberlain ordered his men to fix bayonets to charge down the hill
Arguably since many others will say the charge of the 1st Minnesota on the second day, saved the entire battle...85% casualties within a few minutes. That few minutes that Hancock needed to fill the huge gap that developed dividing the Union line. Around 262 Minnesotans facing approx. 1500 Confederates in a desperate charge. The few survivors (around 40) were placed in a line thought to be safe and became the focal point of Picket's Charge on the final day and suffered even more casualties.
This was an amazing scene. Personally, I think the classic spoiling attack of the 1st Minnesota is an even better story, but this was pretty good. Also, it puts the successful attack of the Army of the Cumberland at Missionary Ridge in better perspective.
And that is in the film. You see them charging in during Pickets Charge (if you know your history, that is the 1st Minnesota charging into the fur ball), even if they're depicted as PA troops.
The battle of Little Round Top was just one of the many amazing fights that took place in and around Gettysburg. Many of those were won due to the slimmest of margins.
The way they shot Chamberlain moving behind his men as they all stood and fixed bayonets, combined with the music, was just perfect. Such a great piece of cinema.
I get chills every time I watch this scene. I did a memorial speech about this very charge in my public speaking class in college. I definitely got the class's attention and probably a few others down the hall the moment they heard me yell, "Charge!", at the climax of my speech. I also have an art piece rendering of the charge at Little Round Top amongst my American History memorabilia.
Gettysburg and Glory are tied for me... My great-great Grandfather fought at the battle of the wilderness later served 10 years in the US Cavalry out west Sargent-Major..
'Come on lads, quickly boy says it all', Pennsylvania 1863 to this very day. My family came her it 1854 from the Kingdom of Prussia and one served and died at Gettysburg. A long family history.
Prior to this scene, the 15th Alabama Regiment (CSA) had already made three unsuccessful charges and was preparing for a fourth. At this point the 15th Alabama had suffered close to 40% casualties and were themselves almost spent. Prior to the 20th Maine's charge, a company of regular Federal army sharpshooters had moved to the right of the 15th Alabama and started firing from cover. Simultaneously, the Confederates started receiving long range volleys from the New York regiment to the right of the 20th Maine. The 15th Alabama's commander, Lt. Col. William Oats, was about to order the fourth assault when he saw the 20th Maine make their downhill charge. With the 15th Alabama receiving fire from three sides (and just seeing his own brother killed in the attacks), Oats realized that his regiment's position was no longer tenable and ordered his men to withdraw, which they did in disorder. In his later memoir after the War, Oats admitted that he doubted that his regiment and any Confederate reinforcements that were likely to be supplied would have been able to hold the hill (later known as Little Round Top) against the inevitable Federal counter-attack.
