3 Leadership Traits Learned from Joshua L. Chamberlain

“A man in the regiment recounted that Chamberlain said, “I am going, the colors will follow me. As many of my men as feel able to do so can follow us,” as he led the way, sword in hand, up into the dark” (Trulock, p. 151).

Week 2 comes from Alice Trulock, who brought us a 5 out 5-star biography titled, “In the Hands of Providence”, that celebrates the life of Civil War Fighter, Husband, Father, Professor, Pastor, General, Medal of Honor Recipient, Governor, Bowdoin College President, and Diligent Entrepreneur, Joseph L. Chamberlain.

Trulock’s final literary work needs no review as its legacy speaks for itself.

Instead, I want to highlight 3 leadership traits that swell from her insightful and diligent telling of Maine's finest son, Joseph L. Chamberlain.

1.Uncommon Character 

Brevet Major General Joshua L. Chamberlain

“Chamberlain believed that “war is for the participants a test of character; it makes bad men worse and good men better” (Trulock, p. 340).

Character is defined as “the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.” Character is intangible in definition but easily identifiable in observation. And Chamberlain’s character was unquestioned by his friends, his men, and his enemies.

In his first years at Bowdoin College as a student, (Chamberlain would eventually become both a professor and president), he like every other red-blooded American man, got into a bit of trouble. However, in the particular instance that threatened his suspension, he was not to blame, but rather his friends. But instead of ratting out his friends to save his own skin, Chamberlain chose to attest to his innocence of the matter while refusing to shift any blame.

Though threatened, in the end, the faculty and board of the college admired the young man's willingness to sacrifice himself for others and allowed him to continue his education.

While the suspension is serious and would likely have significantly damaged his reputation and future prospects, nothing displays character like combat.

After three years of battle in the Civil War, Chamberlain had lost 6 horses, sustained 2 gunshot wounds, a cannonball injury, led over 32 combat missions, and been meritoriously promoted three times. After one charge that surmounted in hundreds of losses for both sides, where Chamberlain himself was injured, an intriguing compliment came from one of Chamberlain's wounded Generals.

Amidst the pouring rain, General Sickel said to his commanding officer, “You have the soul of a lion and the heart of a woman” (Trulock, p. 241). Chamberlain took this as a high compliment.

Character cannot help but be observed. When it is displayed it causes all those around it to surge with inspiration and purpose. To display a high level of character is to move when others are still, to speak when others are silent, to stand firm when others run, and to be courageous when others tremble.

Chamberlain’s character was not only attested by his friends and soldiers, but by the Confederates he fought.

After General Lee’s surrender at the courthouse in Appomattox, the Confederate army was to pass before the Union lines as a formal sign of their defeat and surrender. The first line of men they passed was Chamberlain's brigade. But they received no taunts, insults, jeers, or anything of the kind, instead, they received
honor. 

“On our part not a sound of trumpet more, nor roll of drum; not a cheer, nor word nor whisper of vain-glorying, nor motion of man standing again at the order, but an awed stillness rather, and breath-holding, as if it were the passing of the dead” – Chamberlain (Trulock, p. 305).

General Gordon was so moved by the honor shown him by his enemy, that he immediately reared his horse and saluted the Union General, as did his men. He later remarked that Chamberlain was “one of the knightliest soldiers of the Federal army” (Trulock, p. 205).

You might ask what drives this sort of character? Chamberlain’s dedication to his savior Jesus Christ and his Christian faith empowered every hill he charged, every river he crossed, and the way he led every man in his command.

2. Unmatched Competence

It is hard to believe that Professor Chamberlain, newly married and with a young family, turned down Bowdoin College's offer of an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe to live and study for two years. Instead, he chose to serve the Federal army, and commission as a Lieutenant Commander under Commander Ames, in the Twentieth Maine.

What Chamberlain did at Gettysburg was not luck. Before his first drill session with the Twentieth Maine, he read almost every soldiering book and troop leading manual he could get his hands on. Late into the night, he would read by candlelight to scrap another ounce of knowledge that might afford him an advantage over the enemy. Competence is not achieved naturally; it is earned in the grind.

Little Round Top was a piece of key terrain due south of the Union’s line. Chamberlain had been ordered to secure and hold this position, “at all hazards”, meaning until the last man. If this position was compromised, the Confederates would have had a significant strategic advantage that likely would give won them the day, if not the war.

Chamberlain’s men had sustained multiple waves from the Grey Coats, with a third dead and many wounded. He knew that his time was short, soon they would be surrounded and annihilated. Analyzing the situation, Chamberlain knew he had only one choice.

“Bayonet!” Chamberlain shouted… “Charge!”

"Then the word changed into a roar, and a wild yell arose from the regiment, wrung in desperation from two hundred throats" (Trulock, p. 148).

Chamberlain out in front with the colors led his men in a giant wheel that completely surprised Col. Oates’ men. The Twentieth Maine attacked with such ferocity, that the Confederates assumed they had received reinforcements, and promptly surrendered. Much later, Chamberlain received the Medal of Honor for his decisive and brave action.

Unmatched competence requires effort. Work. Diligence. Time. Dedication. Pain. Suffering. Passion. Humility. And Courage.

When Uncommon Character is joined with Unmatched Competence it produces Unwavering Confidence.

3. Unwavering Confidence

At the battle of Petersburg, amid a charge, a confederate shell knocked Chamberlain from his prized horse Charlemagne. The flag bearer fell, and his men stalled.

At this moment, Chamberlain is more reacting than acting. He is relying upon his beliefs and experience to make his next decision for him. And he chose to run.

Chamberlain ran to the flag.

“Though more artillery and musket fire threatened death with each step, Chamberlain continued on foot carrying the flag, encouraging his men forward” (Trulock, p. 201).

His Character and Competence produced such Confidence that he continued, battle after battle, to lead from the front.

Later, General Griffin would comment, “it is a magnificent sight to see Chamberlain in battle.” For he recalled a scene where Chamberlain was dismounted, lost his cap, and blood and mud covering his face, yet he continued to dash among his men, inspiring them as they pushed on (Trulock, p. 235).

His confidence only continued to be seen throughout the rest of his life after the war. He reformed Bowdoin College, defended the constitution and the abolishment of slavery in office as Governor of Maine and dealt generously with all those around him as a successful businessman.

How did he live this extraordinary life of what seems like ten men?

By faith.

Chamberlain once commented, “We did not go into that fight to strike at slavery directly; we were not think to solve that problem, but God in his providence, in His justice, in His mercy, in His great covenant with our fathers, set slavery in the forefront, and it was swept aside as with a whirlwind” (Trulock, p. 303).

I hope you have enjoyed entering briefly into the life of Joseph L. Chamberlain with me! A man whose faith produced the Character, Competence, and Confidence that enabled him to earn the respect of his friends and his enemies.