MAJOR GENERAL JOSHUA LAWRENCE CHAMBERLAIN - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED - HFSID 179489

JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN
He signs an autograph 1883 note on a postcard, arranging to meet someone at the depot.
ANS: "J.L. Chamberlain," 1 page, 5x3. No place, 1883 February 7. On verso of U.S. penny postcard addressed by another hand to: "J.L.M. Willis/Eliot/Maine." In full: "Eliot Depot 2.30 PM Friday 9th or same hour Tuesday 13th. But how shall I know what you may consider 'stormy'?" Colonel Chamberlain, formerly a professor at Bowdoin College, Maine, commanded the 20th Maine in its famous defense of Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. His unit was posted as left flank of the Union Army and fended off repeated Confederate attacks throughout the day. He broke the Confederate lines by a bayonet charge. Chamberlain, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action, received the only battlefield promotion to General in the Civil War. At Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 1865, Brevet Major General Chamberlain was chosen to accept the Confederate surrender. He then ordered Union troops to present arms to their former enemy as a mark of respect. Chamberlain was Republican Governor of Maine (1866-1870), then assumed the presidency of Bowdoin. His severe war wounds eventually killed him in 1914. Written in the year that Chamberlain resigned from the presidency of Bowdoin College but continued to lecture there on public law and political economy. Two diagonal creases; one at upper left corner through "D" of salutation, the other through the "o" in Depot. Slight wear at corners, else fine condition.