Chapter 10 – This poem “Chamberlain Day 2” focuses on the 20th Maine Volunteers, led by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, before they get to Little Round Top
by Christopher Rudolph © 2015
Chapter 11 – Chamberlain 2nd Day – July 2nd, 1863
His men from Maine
Chomping on hardtack
Sat in an open field
Tired but ready to attack
Then orders came from Meade
As their coffee did boil
“Prepare for battle
Enemy on soil”
The regiment advanced
Right shoulder shift arms
Twentieth Maine marched
Through the fields of a farm
Looking down the line
Chamberlain saw a long blue wave
Shouldered rifles gleaming
So many men brave
On through a cornfield
On the right was high ground
Came upon a brook
Muddy water already fouled
On the far side of the brook
They came upon a broad road
Union wagons moving forward
Carrying heavy loads
Beyond the road broad
Was a rise of rugged ground
Off in the distance booming
Cannons did pound
Noses then wrinkled
Smelling drifting odor of death
Invisible hovering haze
Cloud of men’s last breaths
Still early in the day
Long time till darkness of night
Plenty of time for Warrior Angels
To fight for what is right