by Christopher Rudolph © 2015
Chapter 3 – This poem introduces Colonel Chamberlain
Chapter 3 – Colonel Chamberlain of Maine
Early in the morning
20 miles south of PA
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Awoke to a hot day
Just a year ago
He was a professor eminent
Teaching rhetoric at Bowdoin
Now a Colonel of a regiment
Part of the V Corps
He led the 20th of Maine
250 farmers, fishermen, loggers
Now soldiers well trained
His aide told him news
2nd of Maine disbanded
Soon 120 mutineers
He would be handed
They had seen too much death
And since they did enlist
These strong lumber jacks
Were famously feared for fierce fists
But they had seen enough
A dozen or more battles
Many were dazed
Nerves completely rattled
Yet they were ordered now
To fight or die
He had orders to shoot them
If they didn’t comply
They arrived ragged
Hungry and extremely parched
But orders had been given
20th Maine was to lead the march
For a battle monumental
Would be fought in the upcoming days
A ferocious fight was brewing
Somewhere in PA
There was little time
To talk to these rugged men
No time to write
His speech down in pen
He must trust his gut
His instinct and insight
Speak from his heart
Inspire them to fight
34 years old
Picturesque and tall
He spoke honestly
Heeding the call
The choice was theirs
He made it very clear
Death from him
They should not fear
He spoke of liberty
And justice for all
To free mankind
From slavery’s cruel jaws
Fight for a land
Where no one has to bow
To royalty privileged
Judged only by knowhow
And after all they were
From Maine all brothers
And in the end
They must fight for each other
His brother Tom
Told him of their changed sentiment
All but six would fight
Adding 114 to their regiment
And so the men from Maine
Took the honorable lead
On to the fight in PA
Where thousands upon thousands would bleed